16 eerie photos of the abandoned, 200-year-old Gwrych Castle in North Wales, which is said to be haunted

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Frank OlitoSep 12, 2020, 20:54 IST
16 eerie photos of the abandoned, 200-year-old Gwrych Castle in North Wales, which is said to be haunted

Gwrych Castle Estate.David Goddard/ Getty

  • Gwrych Castle in North Wales has been abandoned for decades.
  • Mark Baker is in charge of restoring the castle, and he spoke to Insider about the castle's long history.
  • Built in the early 1800s, the castle originally acted as a private residence and then as a site for medieval reenactments.
  • The castle is also said to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner, Countess Winifred.

Across the world, abandoned castles stand in ruin, but none has quite as interesting a history as North Wales' Gwrych Castle.

Built in the early 1800s, this castle was a private residence and then became a site for medieval reenactments. Insider spoke with Mark Baker, who is in charge of restoring the castle, to learn more about its history and the ghosts that haunt the grounds.

Keep reading to step inside the 200-year-old Gwrych Castle.

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The sprawling Gwrych Castle overlooks the town of Abergele, North Wales.

The sprawling Gwrych Castle overlooks the town of Abergele, North Wales.
Gwrych Castle in Abergele. Courtesy of Mark Baker

The castle's sweeping Gothic architecture has earned it the place as a local landmark.

"It's like out of your imagination," Baker told Insider. "It's like a fairytale."

The castle was constructed in the early 1800s to honor its builder's family.

The castle was constructed in the early 1800s to honor its builder's family.
Gwyrch Castle. Cornell Capa/ Getty

In 1812, Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh started building the castle as a memorial to his mother's family, the Lloyds of Gwrych. Once complete, he used the castle as a private residence. As the years wore on, the castle's grounds continued to expand and develop.

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The entire Gwrych Castle Estate sits on a massive 4,000-acre plot of land.

The entire Gwrych Castle Estate sits on a massive 4,000-acre plot of land.
Gwrych Castle Estate. David Goddard/ Getty

The sprawling estate is filled with hidden treasures from the castle's long history.

When the Hesketh family lived in the castle, there were 128 rooms, including 28 bedrooms.

When the Hesketh family lived in the castle, there were 128 rooms, including 28 bedrooms.
The interior of the castle from the sky. Courtesy of Mark Baker

Baker said there are nine miles of walls in the castle, and today, they are covered in greenery and completely exposed to the environment.

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The windows of the castle were made of cast iron and stained glass.

The windows of the castle were made of cast iron and stained glass.
The windows at Gwrych Castle. Courtesy of John Walker

Today, the stained glass is missing or shattered.

In the 1870s, the castle expanded to include churches and gardens.

In the 1870s, the castle expanded to include churches and gardens.
The gardens have been restored. Courtesy of Mark Baker

Lloyd left the castle to his son, Robert Bamford-Hesketh, who moved in with his wife, Ellen. Together, they expanded the castle's grounds. Their biggest contribution was the castle's gardens which included yew trees.

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But the most famous piece of design was the castle's marble staircase.

But the most famous piece of design was the castle's marble staircase.
The marble staircase. Courtesy of John Walker

Robert and Ellen left the castle to their daughter, Countess Winifred, and her husband. They commissioned the British architect Detmar Blow to build a 52-step marble staircase in the house. Today, the staircase still stands.

In the mid-1900s, the castle was turned into a tourist attraction.

In the mid-1900s, the castle was turned into a tourist attraction.
The abandoned castle. Courtesy of Laurie Oliver

Gwyrch Castle became known as "The Showplace of Wales" where tourists came to experience medieval reenactments. About 10 million visitors climbed the famous marble staircase over two decades.

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In 1985, the castle officially closed and was left abandoned.

In 1985, the castle officially closed and was left abandoned.
Inside the ruins. Courtesy of John Walker

Even though the castle was left in ruins, it still became the backdrop for the 1997 film "Prince Valiant," starring Katherine Heigl.

With centuries of history, the castle is said to be haunted.

With centuries of history, the castle is said to be haunted.
The staircase at Gwrych. Courtesy of John Walker

The most common ghost story heard at Gwyrch Castle is that Countess Winifred — a powerful woman who invested in hospitals, art, and religion — haunts the ruins. People say her spirit is still stuck in the castle.

"I've seen some strange things and heard some strange things," Baker said. He remembered seeing a ball of light on the marble staircase.

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Other guests have had similar creepy experiences on the legendary staircase.

Other guests have had similar creepy experiences on the legendary staircase.
John Walker in the castle's ruins. Courtesy of John Walker

John Walker, the man behind Urban Ex Boys, explored the castle for his YouTube channel back in 2014 and said he remembers an unsettling feeling.

"The best part was going in and seeing that staircase, and there was a creepy feeling of being watched," Walker told Insider.

One of the managers of the castle said they had a ghostly encounter at one of the castle's five gates.

One of the managers of the castle said they had a ghostly encounter at one of the castle's five gates.
Gwrych Castle's gates. Courtesy of John Walker

"Terrified, I heard the chain on the main gates rattle slightly and then the footsteps began to advance towards me," the duty manager wrote on the castle's website. "It was pitch black on the Main Terrace, and I was waiting for the electrician to finish in another part of the castle so I could lock up. The footsteps grew closer and closer … and then came to a dead stop about a foot in front of me. Barely able to take a breath, I got out my phone and flashed its torch … but there was nobody there."

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It's easy to believe this castle is haunted. Its walls are peeling and the rooms are cold and empty.

It's easy to believe this castle is haunted. Its walls are peeling and the rooms are cold and empty.
Inside the castle. Courtesy of John Walker

Baker said the castle is a work in progress but called the ruins "incredibly special."

The ruins now reveal doorways to once hidden passageways.

The ruins now reveal doorways to once hidden passageways.
Inside the ruins. Courtesy of John Walker

The castle's secrets have been exposed to the elements.

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Although most of the castle is decaying from years of abandonment, you can still see touches of its incredible design.

Although most of the castle is decaying from years of abandonment, you can still see touches of its incredible design.
A mantle over a fireplace. Courtesy of John Walker

Since he was 12, Baker has been working to restore the castle to its former glory so that it can stand for many more decades.

"We have 120 rooms to restore," he said. "That's a massive undertaking."

While the castle is now known for its haunted ruins, Baker wants people to remember its history.

While the castle is now known for its haunted ruins, Baker wants people to remember its history.
Gwrych Castle. Courtesy of Mark Baker

As Baker turns the castle into a place that tourists can explore and learn, he wants everyone to remember that these ruins are filled with a storied past.

"In one site, you got 200 years of history," Baker said. "These stories are so rich and powerful. We want to save it and preserve it for the future. We want people to feel connected with that past."

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