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The Significance of Gwrych
by P.M.Welford, October 2004
There are many surviving examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Britain, particularly from the first half of the nineteenth century, when the style was enthusiastically embraced by house builders, estate improvers and church architects alike. The majority of these examples are, as might be expected, fairly pedestrian, their interest most often more to do with their date and context, rather than with any particular architectural merit. A number, however, are significant for various reasons, of course, buildings in this latter class are rare, and the majority of their number would be regarded as being of national importance.
But even beyond these strict criteria, there are buildings which stand out particularly; buildings which possess those refined and mysterious qualities which produce the greatest and most inspired architecture in any period. These are the elite; those text book examples from which one evaluates and judges the remainder.
And then, very occasionally, one encounters a work of architecture which belongs to the most elevated tier: the very best of the elite; those buildings of such Olympian stature that they transcend national perameters to become works of international significance. Just such a building is Gwrych Castle.
In terms of the aspirations of the Picturesque movement the achievement of Gwrych represents its apogee. Here the fusion of the natural environment and the built environment is perfected; here also the fusion of fantasy and reality is realised. The masterful choreography of Gwrych's towers, turrets, walls and gateways, and their careful integration within - and juxtaposition with - the rocky cliffs and wooded slopes of the site is unrivalled in Britain. The result is a building which, quite simply, is without parallel in Britain. The significance of Gwrych Castle is therefore this: it is the best of its class; the finest faux castle of its date and context.
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