Photo: Gwrych Castle by Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Gwrych Castle stands on a hillside above Abergele on the North Wales coast, its turrets and towers visible for miles along the A55.
It is a Gothic Revival country house, begun in 1819 and built up over more than a century into one of the largest private houses in Wales.
The castle spent decades as a roofless ruin before restoration work began, and it is now best known to millions as the filming location for I'm A Celebrity...
Get Me Out of Here!
The Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, a registered charity, now cares for the building and its 236-acre estate.
History
The Bamford-Hesketh family had held land around Abergele since at least the 16th century, and it was Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh who resolved to replace the old family house with something far grander. The foundation stone was laid in 1819, and the design grew from a Regency country house into a full Gothic Revival castle after the original architect was dismissed. In its Victorian and Edwardian heyday the castle received notable visits before falling into decline through the 20th century.
Architecture
Charles Busby produced the first designs in 1815 but was dismissed, and Thomas Rickman took over as the scheme expanded into an immense Gothic Revival castle. Later generations brought in C. E. Elcock and Detmar Blow, who added further work before the castle reached its final form.
Worth knowing
Gwrych Castle has hosted I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, bringing the ruin back into public view after decades of neglect. Its former gate lodge, Tan-yr-Ogo, once the main entrance to the estate, is now let out for overnight stays.
Facilities
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Abergele & Pensarn Rail Station (1.3 miles)
Nearby properties
Peniarth Fawr
View Peniarth Fawr on heritage mapRhuddlan Castle
View Rhuddlan Castle on heritage mapTwtil, Castle Motte
View Twtil, Castle Motte on heritage mapConwy Suspension Bridge
View Conwy Suspension Bridge on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Gwrych Castle there are 1 historic properties, including 1 Domestic.
Within 10 miles of Gwrych Castle there are 11 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings, 3 castles and 2 museums, across Cadw, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of Gwrych Castle there are 30 historic properties, including 12 historic buildings, 3 castles and 3 museums, across Cadw, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A vast Gothic Revival ruin turned TV jungle, now being pieced back together by a preservation charity.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Conwy, Wales
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