Covid has brought so much of North Wales life to a stand still. However, the news that the I'm a Celebrity team will soon be descending on Abergele has a added some TV sparkle to these dark days. I live only a few miles from Gwrych and it has always been a source of mystery up until recent years. Why was this palatial beauty, set in the hills above Abergele and seen by thousands of cars daily, been left empty and unloved for so many years and how has its fortunes changed so much in the last few years? So, here's a few facts about the castle's history that will soon be home to this years celebrities
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Surrounded by the sites of prehistoric hill forts and mines, there has been a house on the Gwyrch site since medieval times. But by the early 19th century the owners, the Bamford-Hasketh family decided it was time to build something a little more grand, to match their status in society and their lineage which descends from ancient Welsh princes.
The Foundation stone was laid in 1819 with house was designed in the picturesque style that took inspiration from the romantic aesthetics of medieval castles such as the nearby Rhuddlan castle. Gwrych is said to be a forerunner of the so called 'Folly' castles which can be seen across the coast, notably Penrhyn Castle in Bangor and Bodelwyddan castle which, were also built in the 19th century in the style of earlier architecture.
Up until Crystal Palace was built for Prince Albert's Great Exhibition in 1851, Gwrych Castle was the largest built structure in Europe. The house was furnished in the most luxurious materials including a stunning marble staircase. In 1894, Winifred, the only daughter of the family, inherited Gwrych. By this time she was married and held the title of Countess of Dundonald in Scotland however, her marriage was very unhappy so she spent alot of her time away from her husband at the Gwyrch with her children. Winifred was an interesting character who took great pride in her Welsh royal heritage, patronising many local organisations which encouraged welsh culture and even spoke Welsh fluently. Winifred improved and redecorated the castle extensively, hosting members of the royal family and other society families.
After her death in 1924, there are contradicting sources for who she left the castle to. One source says she left it to the Prince of Wales to be used has his north Wales base or she left it to The Church of Wales. Either way, neither wanted the gift and in the end the castle was bought back by her husband, the Earl of Dundonald. These interwar years were tough on many large estates due to changes in tax laws and society in general, with many of them being sold, abandoned or even demolished. The Castle was left empty up until it was used as a Jewish refugee Home in the Second World war when it was requisitioned by the Government ending nearly 1000 years of ownership of the estate by the same family.
Over the next few decades the house took on various guises including a medieval venue which had jousting tournaments and banquets. Several owners tried to make the Castle work as a business but as the building fell in to further and further disrepair and was stripped of nearly all its fine fittings including the marble from the staircase it came to be regarded as beyond repair. This is the castle that I remember as a child. We called it the castle in the hill and it was rumoured to be haunted. Older kids would spend the night there to ghost hunt and drink cider. I was never brave enough though.
That is until after many years of trying to get ownership of the castle, the Gwrych castle trust, founded by Mark Baker managed to buy the estate and over the last few years have slowly but shorely been repairing and conserving the castle and its grounds with a fleet of volunteers. Over the last few years the grounds have been opened up to visitors and has hosted Santa dragon egg hunts and has become a favourite for local families to visit and enjoy. Please visit the Gwrych castle trust website to see what they have been up to and their plans for continuing renovations on the castle with the hope of one day restoring it to its former glory.
I am sure that the cash injection from ITV will go far towards this goal and put Gwrych Castle back on the map. Apparently there has already been a lot of work done on the structure in preparation for the show. I am really looking forward to seeing it, I know that locals are too especially if there is a chance of bumping into Ant and/or Dec!
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Sources
The Gwrych Castle Trust website - here
Myths and Legends of the Gwyrch Castle Estate Booklet by Mark Baker
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