DiCamillo Companion
Wales

Gwydir Castle (Gwydir House) (Gwydyr Castle)

  • House & Family History: Gwydir is an early Tudor courtyard house that incorporates re-used medieval material from the dissolved Abbey of Maenan. Two major additions to the House date from circa 1590 and circa 1828. Gwydir suffered through major fires in 1912 and 1922. The House was the ancestral home of the powerful Wynn baronets, who were descended from the kings and princes of Gwynedd and one of the most important families in Wales during the Tudor and Stuart periods. King Charles I is reputed to have visited Gwydir as the guest of Sir Richard Wynn. In 1899 King George V and Queen Mary stayed here as Duke and Duchess of York. More recently, in July 1998, Charles, Prince of Wales, opened the newly reinstalled 1640s Dining Room, the paneling and carving of which was recovered from the Metropolitan Museum in New York in 1996. The Castle is also known for its many ghosts and is reputed to be one of most haunted houses in Wales.

    Comments: Gwydir is considered one of the finest Tudor houses in Wales.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The House is set within a Grade I-listed 10-acre garden, which includes a pool with fountain, parterres, the early 17th century Summer House, and the Bowling Green. The grounds at Gwydir are famous for their peacocks.

  • Architect: Charles Barry Sr.

    Date: Circa 1828
    Designed: Additions

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  • Title: Lost Houses of Wales, The
    Author: Lloyd, Thomas
    Year Published: 1989
    Publisher: London: SAVE Britain's Heritage
    ISBN: 0905978277
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade I

  • "Prince Valiant" (1997). "Castle Ghosts of Wales" (1997 - TV documentary).
  • Current Seat / Home of: Judy Corbett and Peter Welford; here since 1994.

    Past Seat / Home of: Meredith ap Ieuan ap Robert, 15th century. Sir Richard Wynn, 2nd Bt., 17th century. Robert Bertie, 4th Earl of Lindsey and 1st Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven, 17th century. Willoughby de Eresby family, 17th century until 1895. Charles Wynn-Carington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire, 1895-1921. Arthur Clegg, 20th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

    Ownership Details: Open to the public and available as a B&B

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01492-641-687

    Fax: 01492-641-687

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: http://www.gwydircastle.co.uk

    Historic Houses Member: No