Memories of Gwrych

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 email 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 email them to us.

Please include ‘Gwrych Castle’ in the subject line of any correspondence.

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

A Selection of Messages

David Roberts, Norwich writes:

I have very happy memories of early childhood visits to the castle during summer holidays with my parents in the early 1950s. Like so many others who have left comments in your guest book, I always found it such a magical place. I seem to remember being fascinated by a statue of a female nude in the castle grounds - am I mistaken, or does anyone else recall it?

Steve from Warrington, Cheshire, writes:

We as a family visited Gwrych Castle in the 1970s, 28th july 1972, Sad but true still have the Passports to The Principality of Gwrych,some postcards including the marble staircase,and a Guide book by Beatrice Tunstall "The Showplace of Wales" which looks older than 1970s,black and white... Even in its present condition the Castle for me is still Majestic,a cracking sight from the expressway,both ways .Hopefully one day can be restored to something like its former glory.

Paul and Elaine write:

Really fond memories of Gwrych castle. As a young boy mum & dad made me, my brother, sister, & mum walk along the beach from Sunnyvale caravan park to see the jousting sometime in the 70's. Really sad to see the condition of such a lovely building. Hoping good luck for the future & to take now my own children to see this fine part of welsh history. Good luck

Grace from Accrington writes:

Approximately late sixties, early seventies, my mother and father used to take us to stay in the flats which were for hire in the castle. We were friendly with the people who looked after the castle; I think their name was Mr & Mrs Moss. I also remember the man who ran the miniature railway. He had two daughters who I used to play with and they had a St. Bernard dog. I still have black and white photographs taken at the castle of the children and dog. There was also a children's zoo near the railway. We were there when the jousting began to pull in the tourists. There were shows in the marquee with artists.

I remember a singer singing Tom Jones songs, also clown shows. The year previous Chick Murray had appeared. The stables were a soft drink and music area for the youngsters. The grounds had musical, moving figures in for the children. The marble staircase was outstanding. I think we still have pictures of it! I remember my father doing some artist work in the dungeons after being asked to, by the people who ran the castle. These people were very upset when the castle was sold. When we returned some years later the inner rooms of the castle had deteriorated and the antiques replaced by a large pool table in the main room. It was heartbreaking to see the changes. When discussing the ghost, a lady was said to have been seen in October, I do not know who she is. I have returned many times and remember many happy days.

I have tried to find out what is happening to the castle but just have been told an American bought it and it has been left to ruin. Thank you, Mark, as someone said only last week when we visited Abergele and asked again about the castle, 'you are a Godsend to the castle and the people in the area'.

Carol From Wolverhampton writes:

About seven years ago my partner and I visited the castle to have lunch as I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to show him the most beautiful castle that I have ever been to, and believe me I've been to quite a few [it's a bit of an obsession] Imagine my shock when I found out that it had become derelict. I cried and cried all the way home. In the sixties we used to go to Rhyl every summer and the highlight of the holiday was our visit to the castle in the hillside.

The last time I went when it was still open was in 1976 when my first son was born. I have still got snapshots from the sixties and of the summer of 1976, and I also found an original brochure from 1956 when the castle was owned by Leslie Salts. I am so happy that the castle is being restored. I cannot wait to visit again.

Jeff writes:

My memory of this place will always be in my heart. when my step dad meet my mother he was living at the castle with his mates in the late 70`s when it was last done up what I can remember anyway. my step dad use to do the shows up there on the horses sword fighting he was green knight(always got beat by the black knight) when the market was on and I use bang the drum ...o what a fab place it will be in the future.

I still get a bit spooked when I go past the old stables were my step dad kept his horses it was the first time I seen something and hit my chin still got the scar to remind me. I just wish I owned the castle.

Peter from Merseyside writes:

What a story I have about Gwrych Castle! Back in the 80's me and my friend decided to head to North Wales for the weekend, camping. Having seen the castle from the A55(?) we decided to go take a look, hoping to find a campsite in its grounds. Up the long driveway we went and parked in the lofty car park.

After shouting through the open entrance door many times, we finally decided that the place must be a ruin (not that it looked like it). We went inside, and to our amazement we found that all the crockery was still on the shelves, and glasses behind the bar. Nevertheless we were amazed at the interior of the building.

Realising that the place might still be in use we left by the same door. As we walked over to the car a young man approached us and asked who we were. We explained that we were looking for somewhere to camp for the night and that we couldn't believe that this amazing place was empty of people. After a long discussion about the history of the castle, we thanked the guy and went to get into the car. He then told us that we could camp in the grounds of the castle as long as we didn't create a fuss. We of course agreed!

Then it got even better! As we were pitching our tenet, the guy came down and said that as we were genuinely interested in the castle, its architecture and its history (which we were), and then asked us if we would like to look after it for the weekend!

WOW!: He handed us the keys and said he would be back on Sunday (he did, of course check us out on the Saturday morning to see if everything was ok). Well, can you imagine it? Two 21 year olds in possession of this wonderful place! For those of you thinking.... well, we were very responsible, grateful and, given what has happened since very privileged to have been given such a fantastic opportunity. Thank you to this person, whoever you are! I have told this story time and time again to my family, friends and (as time passed all too quickly) my daughter, nephews and nieces.

For those of you who are still thinking... The ONLY thing that we did throughout that weekend that could be seen as 'naughty' was to find the switch (which we did, to our GLEE!!) and turn on the main floodlights at the front of the castle. What a buzz! This was a once in a lifetime event and I am truly grateful for the trust that was placed in us by the hero of this story. We have both been back on a number of occasions with friends and family over the years, but nothing comes even close to that weekend when we were the Kings Of Gwrych Castle!