The Lowdown on Gwrych Castle

Leanne • November 16, 2020
It was back in August that ITV announced that Gwrych Castle was going to host the 20th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here and since then excitement has been building for the start of the new series, especially here in Wales.

You may be forgiven for not knowing too much about this historic castle which is nestled on a beautiful treelined hillside with views stretching across the Welsh countryside and the Irish Sea. 

Set in the grounds of its 250-acre estate, Gwrych Castle was built between 1810 and 1825 by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh in memory of his mother and her ancestors. The building incorporated the original house which had been in the family ownership since the late medieval period. The work continued for 40 years and ownership was passed to the Earls of Dundonald via the Hesketh heiress, Winifred Cochrane, Countess of Dundonald.

During World War II, the castle was used as part of Operation Kindertransport and used by the government to house 200 Jewish refugees. Gwrych Castle was sold in 1945 and ended almost a millennium long family ownership. For 20 years from 1948, the castle opened as the ‘Showplace of Wales’ under the ownership of Leslie Salts until it as sold in 1968. Since then it has been a medieval entertainment centre, until it closed to the public in 1985, and had plans for a hotel and even an opera centre, none of which came to fruition. Sadly, the castle was stripped of its assets and vandalised, and it’s future looked bleak.

However, with the announcement that I’m A Celebrity is going to be based at this Welsh masterpiece, things are looking up because it will help to support the castle and its ongoing restoration.

Putting Wales On The Map

Because one of the most popular UK TV shows has chosen I’m A Celebrity as its destination for 2020, it means the beauty of North Wales will be showcased to a new audience. Before the coronavirus pandemic, many of us would look to warmer climes for our summer holidays, but with restrictions and health concerns making this difficult, staycations are becoming increasingly popular.
Wales has so much to offer, with places of outstanding natural beauty and even a World Heritage Site, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, there is so much to see and do in this wonderful country. And, if you’re looking for the perfect welsh getaway, then Twin Rivers is the place for you. Get in touch today to find out what we have to offer. 

Image attribution: "Gwrych-Castle" by Hefin Owen is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

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