In 1997 ASFOG (A Society For the Friends of Gwrych) was founded and in 2001 it became a registered charity called the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust. I founded both societies to raise awareness for the plight of Gwrych and also to find possible solutions for the conservation and preservation of the site. Through much hard work a lot has been achieved these past seven years and the profile of the Castle has been significantly raised; we have supporters from all over the globe!

So far, through continual monitoring, the Trust has been instrumental in over-seeing developments with the guidance of many National Organisations. The Trust has sought the backing of the Local Authority, who assisted in securing the building in conjunction with CADW Publishing our quarterly newsletters, monthly meetings and contact with relevant organisations has placed the Trust in a prominent position within the local community, whilst the continual erosion of this Grade One listed building continues as a result of exposure to the elements. The Trust aims to work towards trying to secure the building and help to implement a custodial role with regards to the preservation of this important structure. Interested individuals can join the Trust, any help would be most appreciated in trying to save Gwrych Castle!

Mark Baker

Secretary - Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust

Honorary Life Member of SAVE Britain's Heritage and Welsh Representative for the Young Georgian Group

View a Video on the History of Gwrych

Gwrych Castle was built in 1819 by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh, grandfather of Winifred, Countess of Dundonald. Upon the site was an ancient house named ‘Y Fron’ (rounded hill). When Lloyd married Lady Emily Esther Ann Lygon in 1825, Gwrych was nearly complete.

The expertise of Thomas Rickman was utilised by Hesketh in the design of Gwrych and its many cast iron windows. Henry Kennedy subsequently extended the Castle during the 1840’s by the inclusion of a new bedroom wing, staircase and porch.

When Lloyd died the Castle passed onto Robert Bamford-Hesketh and his wife, Ellen. George Edmund Street designed the famous marble staircase during the 1870’s and also some fireplaces. Robert planted much of the present gardens with their enormous Monkey Puzzles and Laurels.

Winifred inherited Gwrych in 1894 and it became her official residence as Countess of Dundonald. She brought up her children there and sincerely loved it. In 1914 the building work of Elcock was complete and a new bedroom wing and alterations to the state apartments were added to Gwrych.

Lady Dundonald’s will declared that Gwrych should be bequeathed to King George V and the Prince of Wales. This request was declined and it was given to St John of Jerusalem. In 1928 the Earl of Dundonald (Winifred’s husband) bought back the Castle for £78,000 and sold the contents of the building to cover the cost. During World War Two, Gwrych was requisitioned by the Government and housed two hundred Jewish refugees.

A gradual decline began when Gwrych Castle finally left the family's hands in 1946, the 13th Earl of Dundonald sold it to Mr Robert Rennie. Then in 1948 Leslie Salts brought the building and successfully opened Gwrych to the Public for twenty years. The Castle was nicknamed ‘the Showplace of Wales’ and attracted nearly ten million visitors. Randolph Turpin and Bruce Woodcock trained there and many people came to see them.

Between 1968 and 1989 the Castle had many owners and many different uses. The library was turned into a bar; Winifred’s music room and drawing room were converted into a large bar lounge and the gargantuan dining room into a restaurant. During the latter part of the 1970’s Gwrych became a medieval centre where markets were held and jousting took place upon the site of the old formal gardens and conservatory. Gwrych finally closed to the public during the winter of 1985, never to open again.

An American businessman purchased Gwrych in December 1989. Prince Valiant was filmed at the Castle in 1996 and starred Edward Fox and Joanna Lumley. Since then, the weather, heartless vandals and new-age travellers have ravaged the building to the point of complete dereliction. Most of the roof has caved in and a large section of the south front has collapsed. One hopes that it will be restored back to its former glory so that everyone can walk through its marbled halls as Winifred did.

Mark Baker

The Countess of Dundonald and the Avenue Dispute

Welcome Home of Lord Dundonald

©Mark Baker