Best viewed at 1024x768

Last updated
05 September, 2008

On these pages you can have the chance to read peoples memories of Gwrych and what it means to them. If you have any memories of Gwrych you’d like to share please E-mail them to us. We are also interested in pictures of the interior of Gwrych from the 50’s through to the 80’s. If you have any you’d like to share with us, please scan them and E-mail them to us.

These are the thoughts of the individuals concerned
which may not reflect the views of the Trust

Margaret from Manchester writes:
Some of my favourite family holidays were at Gwrych during the 1960s. All the family really enjoyed staying in a castle! My daughters felt like they were princesses in a fairy tale, and my sons thought they were in an adventure story, and would spend hours looking for secret passages, tunnels and of course the cave. We all loved walking in the woods and grounds of the castle. I wish you good luck with your work and hope that one day Gwrych will be restored.
(Margaret is pictured with her youngest daughter in the stables courtyard)

Mike Salts, former resident of Gwrych says:
I have looked at the Members' pages and, am quite distressed to see the latest pictures of the state of the buildings at Gwrych. I have sometimes wondered whether I might go back to the castle to reflect on those boyhood days that were so enjoyable, but now I think it best to stay away, at least until some restoration work can be undertaken.

Miss Jackson from Prestatyn writes: I remember looking up at Gwrych Castle and watching the streams of smoke trickling through the hillside and trees, what a picture. If you were near the Castle on a cold day, it was a wonderful sight. At night, I was in awe of the lights in the hillside when the Castle was illuminated, what a spectacular setting and the memories of Gwrych will remain with me always. Thanks to the Trust for all efforts in trying to make a difference to this beautiful listed building

Tracey from Wales writes:
I have lived in North Wales for 10 years with my family. My daughter goes to school in Colwyn Bay and we pass the castle from the A55 each and ever day. We are part of a local photographic group, and are appalled at the damage still being done by vandals to this beautiful landmark. I have now stopped visiting the castle as it upsets me at the amount of damage that is still going on. It is beautiful peaceful place and I just hope that one day Mark and his colleagues can do something. I don't know what ideas you all have for this building if you acquire it but I do hope that once again the general public can take great pleasure in visiting this wonderful, peaceful and historic place again.

Good luck and best wishes for the future.

Mr and Mrs. Gately of Blackburn in Lancashire write:
We offer our wholehearted support to the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust and hope that Gwrych can be helped in a way which will attract tourism and bring visitors back to Abergele.

Chris from Chorley, Lancashire writes:
Hi, first of all I would like to say thank you, for your wonderful site, I can’t tell you what it means to me to find out about Gwrych Castle. Ever since I was a child, my summer holidays have been to Towyn, North Wales.
I've always wondered what the castle in the hills was, and for the past 13 years my wife and myself have been trying to find out about the castle, we didn’t even know the name of it until I found your web site.
But having found your web site, I am horrified to see such beautiful and grand pictures of how it was in the 1960's and how it is today; it really puts a lump in my throat to see history disappear for good.
We all need to know history in some form or another, it’s not just now it’s the future, our kids, their kids, and their kids and on and on it goes, we as human beings are nothing without history.
I'm now in my forties but my thirst for history and heritage gets stronger as I get older, as for the future, I can only hope that this beautiful castle can be saved and restored to its former glory, I’m very impressed with your plans, and if I can play any part in getting this beautiful building back to as it was I will, no matter how small this part may be, I think if I become a member, that would be a good start.

Dr. Owens from Conwy writes:
I am delighted to see that the Trust now has a dedicated Trust website. This is wonderful news, this much needed website for the Trust and I had written to the local North Wales press in support of a website specifically for the benefit of the Trust.
As I am joining the Trust and extending an offer of my services to the Trust. I applaud the sterling work to date since the Trust was set up and I look forward to working alongside the Trust.
Good luck to the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust!

Andrew from Abergele Writes:
Myself and 2 friends were the last people to live in the flat above the main courtyard, we used to have some wonderful nights with the fire blazing, cans of beer, no electricity and just the atmosphere of the empty Castle.
Since then I have watched vandals; new age travellers and even a film crew come along and wreak havoc with the building. There is also Conwy Council who have neglected their duty and frankly have failed to save this Grade One Listed building. I am sick and tired that the people who should act on our behalf don't do so. For the sake of Abergele and North Wales I want this building Compulsory Purchased and returned to the Trust who can then get the funds this valuable building deserves.