"Most days for the past few years I have passed Gwrych on my way to and from school or university. The prominence of this castle and its stupendous charm magnetise many who pass by on the busy A55 expressway.
I always think that the library bay windows remind me of a smiling face in the hillside, like an old friend welcoming you back home.
Gwrych Castle has been lonely and uninhabited since 1989. She nestles in the hillside woods, surrounded by super-abundant greenery which adds a patina of age. Gwrych can claim to be one of the most stupendous, picturesque, romantic buildings in the whole of Europe. A fairytale white castle, with its world-famous 18 towers, stretching like a diamond snake in a green mere, waiting to be given a new and glorious life.
Called a folly, unlike its counterparts Penrhyn and Bodelwydden, or even Eastnore Castle, Gwrych was a blueprint for most of the Victorian mock castles along the north west coast. Built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh and enlarged by his descendants, it is one of the first gothic-style faux castles to be erected in Europe.
The story of the Heskeths begins with Richard de Heskeyth, Lord of Heskeyth, whose grandson was alive in 1271. It is claimed that the Heskeths obtained much of their lands by marriage into a wealthy Cheshire family that had their origins in Staffordshire. They were known as the Fighting Fittons.
Mary Fitton, a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth I and dismissed from court, was undoubtedly the Dark Lady of Shakespeare's Sonnets. Early in the 14th century, Heskeyth's great great grandson assumed the arms of Fitton.
When Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh's father died in 1814, he came into an immense fortune and employed Charles Augustin Busby to do an initial design of a gothic style building with a central oblong block.
The west end contained the state apartments and the east the private apartments and connecting these was a large, circular keep surrounded by a semi-curtained wall.
A contemporary of the period stated that Gwrych was one of the most amazing 19th century castellated mansions and one which, in the age it was conceived, would have been assigned to the realm of the sublime rather than picturesque.
From old photographs, the area was never so overgrown. Much of the massive structure remains covered in ivy and one of the higher towers has been demolished. Nearly all of the beautiful stained glass has been broken or stolen. Many of the internal heraldic windows have been completely removed, the cast iron windows are rusting and the smell of rotting wood and plaster lingers in the air.
In winter, the rain pours through the roofless building onto mounds of fallen debris. Water cascades down the ancient hills and floods the castle basements. Even in the hottest and driest summers, Gwrych Castle is still damp. The plaster on the ceilings and walls has become so saturated that it has collapsed with the weight of the water.
Whole floors have crashed down and damaged the structure, and it is not safe to enter any part of the building. This is a dreadful prospect, since lay reports have indicated that the castle is basically still solid and has withstood many battles.
It is a romantic dream, once a luxurious residence of the ancient Heskeths who resided there, allowed to decay and deteriorate. Its amazing interior has almost vanished, leaving parts of her palatial park, gardens and exterior seriously neglected. It is in danger of becoming no more than a pile of Grade I listed rubble.
More on Gwrych Castle.
Mark Baker on Hafodunos Hall.
your comments
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Lyndon Wray from Pensarn,Abergele.
I live at Pensarn and frequently walk in the woods above Grwych Castle. The views are superb. Much of the vegetation has been cleared from the castle walls which are very photogenic. Over the past three years I have watched the progress in clearing the site and its renovation since the dereliction caused by travellers and vandals who I understand, did much damage to the fitments and the Italian marble staircase. Only today I have heard that pieces of marble from the staircase were actually sold on the market in Abergele! At the Grwych fete held today (June 13 2009) to commemorate The Year of St Elfod the man who gave the land upon which St Michael's Parish church, in the centre of Abergele, was built. Mark Baker gave conducted tours from the fete site up to the front of the castle, where he stopped and gave a very enlightening talk on its history. Having been fortunate enough to hear him I feel happier that within the next three years something will be done to renovate this magnificent structure by which time it is hoped that it will be turned into a five star hotel, into whose grounds there will be access for both guests and the public.
Mon Jun 15 10:14:23 2009
Linzi Hulme, Old Colwyn
I am in love with this castle, it's wonderful. I have walked its grounds many times, but recently they were doing some work up on the castle and from the A55 it looks so much clearer and the clean up they have done really does it justice. But it is still unsafe and all they have done is cut back some hedges and give it a bit of a clean up. I heard it had been bought and was going to be turned into hotel. What a glory it would be, but the work seems to have stopped. What a shame!
Wed Feb 25 14:50:11 2009
Eric Roberts, Swindon
I was taken to Gwrych by my Mum and Dad in 1950 when I was 7 years old while holidaying at Prestatyn. It was a magical place for a little boy. I drove past many times in later years and was always filled with pleasure each time it came into view.
Wed Feb 11 11:17:41 2009
Ann Gill from Selby, North Yorkshire
My family visited Gwrych so many times in the 1960s and I find it so sad to see it in such a state. We used to love listening to our friend (Norman Sharpe) playing the organ. We have spent many happy hours there. If only it could be restored to its former glory.
Wed Aug 6 09:46:51 2008
dave a - shropshire
my memories of Gwrych Castle go back to the summer of 1961, when an organisation called the British Youth Festival Committee (a left wing peace and friendship organisation) held a camping festival in the grounds of the castle. I helped organise the event (as a spotty 18 year old) and I remember that the castle was on its last legs as a going concern then. The News of the World reporters and photographers turned up, and were welcomed as the only newspaper to take an interest in what we thought was quite important ideas of peaceful co-existence.
Sadly, and predictably the newspaper reported that the event was one long orgy (if only!) and the politics of the event were lost. Anyone else remember the event?
Mon Apr 28 10:21:38 2008
Chris Kirk from Kent
My father (Frank Kirk) worked for Mr Salts as catering manager at the castle during the time the Randolph Turpin and Bruce Woodcock used to train for their title fights. It was a wonderful place then with thousands of visitors every day and a narrow guage railway operating within the grounds. It is hard to imagine how a succesful venture could just crumble away to ruin
Mon Mar 31 10:10:53 2008
sian rees abergele north wales
I grew up in abergele, grwych castle was a large part of my families life. It's where my brother and sister worked as part of the jousting team. my younger sister and i visited most days to watch the jousting and look at the wonderful castle. My younger brother was one of the last people to live in the castle were he lived alone very scary, my brother and sister had many stories of scary things that they had witnessed. My husband and I went on to have our wedding reception there which was truly magical - what a sad waste of a truly wonderful place.
Tue Mar 25 10:14:17 2008
David Cheetham, Stockport.
During the early 50s I used to holiday with my parents at a house adjoining the farmyard at the middle gate. The farm was run by Tom Davies and the family we stayed with were Edwin and Muriel Lloyd, along with their daughter, Mair and son Roy. Mr Lloyd worked for Mr Wells who owned a market garden next to the farm and who also had a greengrocers in Abergele.
Glyn Parry also had land in the castle grounds and at the age of about 10 to 14, my dad and I used to give the farmers a hand getting the crops in. I have a photo of myself driving a Massey Ferguson tractor. Dad and I used to walk up to the top road and on a clear day, with the aid of binoculars, you could clearly see Blackpool tower.
Wed Dec 19 09:29:41 2007
Janet Gilmore
As a child growing up in Abergele, I have very fond memories of Gwrych Castle. my brothers, sister and I used to walk through the woods at Tan-y-Goppa and 'sneak' into the castle. What fun! Later I became very friendly with Jackie Dove - her father used to run the place. We lost touch, but I have wonderful memories of the Castle, and my heart is there amongst the hills surrounding Abergele. It was a great place to grow up in.
Mon Dec 17 11:13:40 2007
Phil Hughes - Wallasey, Wirral
I came to visit the castle late 80's early 90's after a friend of mine, also from the Wirral, was hired to 'babysit' the castle from vandals. The castle was already in a state of disrepair with only a few inhabitable rooms which my friend called home for about a year. Even in its state then I still found spiritual comfort staying there, especially the walks around the grounds and along the woodland trails past Emily's Tower to watch the sunsets over the sea. I have to agree with everything Colin Pickles wrote earlier about where the blame lies for this travesty. I only hope the new owners and the trust will see eye to eye on its redevelopment. I only wish I had heard sooner about the plight of Gwrych Castle and how badly in need of repair it was so I could of at least helped in some small way.
Mon Oct 8 10:25:12 2007
Phil Williams, Wilts
Glad to hear that a renovation of the castle will now take place by its new owners. Sincerly hope however that they have put aside a lot more than £6 million for this project. I would also imagine that the council are going to be extremely accommodating when it comes to approving any plans for the hotel! I will watch with interest as I think the fun is just about to begin.
Thu May 3 09:23:09 2007
Dave Roberts, Llandudno
Further to the message below - it's now been announced that Gwrych Castle has been purchased for £850,000 by Clayton Hotels, who will embark on a three year, £6m renovation programme to convert the castle into a 90 bedroom, five star hotel. It looks as though Gwrych's future has been secured at last!
Tue May 1 09:16:52 2007
Pete Price, Leamington Spa.
I stayed at Grych for two years in 1952-1954 whilst serving as Randy Turpin's sparring partner. We had a wonderful time there. It was wonderful running around the ground and climbing the rocks as part of our training programme. It is to be hoped someone will renovate the old castle soon before it is too late.
Mon Mar 26 10:28:18 2007
andrew north wales
I worked behind the bar when it was a going concern, and designed a bedroom to convert the place into a hotel, we actually finished the project to show the owner but nothing came of it. I left the area and have returned and was heartbroken to see the state of the grand old building.
Wed Jan 31 09:32:05 2007
Emma, New Zealand
When I was growing up in Liverpool in the late 1940s-early 1950s I went to stay for a month each year in an Abergele convalescent home. On sunny days our nurse would take us all up to Gwrych Castle for the day. It was such a treat. I remember the huge, rolling green lawns and beautiful white walls and the grand marble staircase. I recall seeing Randolph Turpin (and his brother) and Bruce Woodcock (who trained at the castle) in exhibition boxing matches in a ring set up on the lawns. Also I took part in a talent contest in a huge marque and Mr Woodcock was one of the judges (I didn't win!) Such happy memories and how sad to hear the castle is now so sadly neglected.
Wed Oct 11 09:26:27 2006
Anselm from Venice
Like many Midlanders I had many holidays in North Wales during the late 50s and early 60s. When we caught the bus from Rhyl I always craned my neck out of the window as my first sight of Gwrych Castle assured me that I really was back. I loved the castle and it was always a highlight of my holiday to pay it a visit. I remember on one occasion there was an exhibition of two infamous cars. One was the car in which Edward VIII had left London and the other was a car in which Hermann Goering had tried to escape.
I loved the place and found its dramatic location inspiring. In the summer of 1968I returned to Gwrych now having the luxury of a car and not having to take the bus from Rhyl. I thought that now as a twenty one year old the old magic of Gwrych would no longer work but this was not the case. It was still as captivating to me as it had been when I was eight or nine. I last visited Gwrych in 1981 and it was much as I remembered but a little seedy. Whilst doing some research for a book I found some photographs of Gwrych in its present condition. I thought that they were heartbreaking and a sad indictment of modern priorities. How many thousands of dreams are crumbling with its masonry? Is there any hope for the future?
Tue Oct 3 09:55:43 2006
Karen Agger
spent many a week as a child camping in the grounds of Gwrych Castle. I remember watching the jousting in the castle grounds and the waggon floats with all children dressed up riding in them.
As I got older there were fantastic markets in the grounds and a restaurant in the castle, and ohh the mable staircase and chandelers. When I went back not so long ago and took a walk to the castle I was horrified at the state of such a place of interest and enjoyment going to ruin.
Someone please help the plight of the castle, which is of great importance to English Heratige, and could be of! so much enjoyment to future generations.
I now live in New Zealand and enjoyed reading the other snippits on other peoples thoughts and views.
Fri Aug 25 13:45:55 2006
Bob Broadhurst, Nottingham
I left school in Abergele when I was 15 years old and until I got permanent employment I actually worked at Gwrych Castle when the owner was a Leslie T Salts and he lived on the premises with his wife and daughters. In those days the castle was open to tourists and even had a big entertainments Marquee up on the maiin terrace with an entertainments manager named Ted Lewis, masses of coaches brought trippers in at weekends and the place was vibrant, that was in the 1950s and sure brings back memories to me including the Lady Emily Tower which stood alone at the end of a path going towards Llandullas.
We also had a miniature Railway system there which was run by the Dove Family from Notingham. What a tragedy that this once imposing structure has been allowed to fall into such disrepair.
Tue Aug 15 09:21:59 2006
Chris Miles, Winter Park Florida
In contrast with some readers’ faded memories considerable physical improvements were made during the winter of 1971 to the fabric of Gwyrch Castle. Once the survey had been completed Scotia Investments (owner and my client) realized during that period that the task of full and total restoration was considerably beyond them. The general state of the buildings was already poor, the grounds unkempt and un-maintained.
Fri Nov 18 03:04:58 2005
Peter Beswick Vancouver, B.C. Canada
As a child & teenager my family had a summer home between Abergele Junction & Towyn & one of my most cherished memories is of the time I was able to spend at Gwrych Castle. So much time, if fact, that I was on a first name basis with a number of the staff members and used to help out in the pottery booth actually making pots, who knows maybe someone stil has a piece that I made.
I won a "Just William" contest there & was a towel boy when Randy Turpin sparred at Gwrych before his fight with Sugar Ray. I have just hit on this site showing the dereliction of the castle and I am absolutely disgusted that this magnificent showplace has been left to rot. When I was a youngster the castle and grounds were always packed with tourists in the spring & summer and I'm sure that if it was restored would be so again. To whomever controls the purse strings, this may not be a real medieval castle but it was, and should be again, a fabulous place to spend a day and it should be repaired. I, for one, am quite disturbed by the pictures I have just seen so get the lead out and fix it.
Sun Nov 13 23:40:27 2005
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