Abergele, Wales is home to the medieval castle Gwrych Castle. It was constructed by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh in honor of his mother, Elizabeth Bamford-Hesketh, in the early 19th century. The castle has been used for a variety of things over the years, including as a private residence, a hospital, and a performance venue.
Gwrych Castle History
One of the first attempts to imitate authentic medieval architecture in Europe was made at Gwrych Castle, a Grade I listed country house in North Wales. It features expansive views of historic parkland, including a deer park and the Irish Sea, and is situated among 250 acres of gardens and grounds.
As a tribute to the Lloyds of Gwrych, the ancestors of his mother, Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh constructed Gwrych Castle between 1812 and 1822. On the property stood an Elizabethan home called “Y Fron” (circular hill), which had become abandoned by 1810. The main structure was finished when Lloyd wed Lady Emily Esther Ann Lygon, a descendant of the 1st Earl of Beauchamp, in 1825.
The Gwrych Castle and estate are linked to numerous notable architects and designers. Hesketh, for instance, used the skills of Charles Augustus Busby and Thomas Rickman in the general design of Gwrych, particularly the cast iron windows. While George Bullock and the Craces decorated the interiors, Henry Kennedy expanded the Castle in the 1840s by adding a new bedroom wing, staircase, and porch.
When Lloyd passed away, Robert Bamford-Hesketh and his wife Ellen Jones-Bateman received the Castle. In the 1870s, George Edmund Street created the family chapel as well as a number of other churches and schools for the Heskeths. With their massive Yew and Monkey Puzzle trees, Robert and Ellen established a significant portion of the current gardens.
The Gwrych Castle was taken over during World War II as part of Operation Kindertransport, and the Dundonald family sold it in 1946, ending over a thousand years of uninterrupted family possession.
When Leslie Salts bought the castle in 1948, he used it for 20 years as the “Showplace of Wales.”
After Salt’s sale in 1968, the castle was used as a venue for medieval entertainment, with jousting, feasts, and marketplaces held outside. This also signaled the beginning of a period of gradual decline, during which the building was closed to the public in 1985 and the final joust was held in 1987.
An American company bought the land in 1990 with the intention of building an opera center and hotel, but nothing came of it. Instead, the castle’s assets were stripped away, and it had suffered so much vandalism that its very survival was in doubt.
Who built Gwrych Castle
In honor of his mother Frances Lloyd and her ancestors, Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh (1787-1861) erected Gwrych Castle between 1810 and 1825. It included an earlier building that had belonged to the Lloyd family since the late medieval era.
Who owns gwrych castle
It was once more acquired by a hotel firm in 2007 as part of a £6 million renovation effort. But before work had began, the company entered administration. In 2018, the estate and castle were sold to the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, a recognized charity.
Click here to see more images of the castle
It’s older than you realize.
Between 1810 and 1825, Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh built Gwrych Castle. However, its early history dates back much further than the 19th century. The area surrounding Gwrych Castle belonged to the Lloyds family, commonly known as the “Llwyds.” The phrase “Plas yn y Gwrych” (which translates to “the great house in the hedge”) applied to this. Their ancestry goes to the Middle Ages, and they are descended from Llywelyn the Great. In the 12th century, he ruled Gwynedd before becoming king of all Wales. Two Iron Age hillforts, lead and silver mines, a Roman shrine, and a medieval battle site may all be found on the 250-acre estate.
What’s In a Name, Anyway? No, but seriously—do I have Gwrych spelled correctly and what does it mean?
Gwrych, which meaning “hedge,” is one of the sites that sounds the most Welsh on national television. Castell Gwrych is a Welsh word that literally translates to “hedged castle.” Similar to French, the adjective might occasionally occur before the noun in Welsh.
Remember that Welsh is entirely phonetic, thus it’s important to pronounce each syllable well. Try saying “Greeck” first. Then insert the elusive Welsh ‘ch’ sound in the final syllable. You know the one—the one that conjures up images of a sick person. Think of Llongyfarchiadau, Abersoch, or Harlech. (Okay, that last one was a joke.)
Gwrych castle preservation trust
A nonprofit organization called the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust seeks to protect and renovate the medieval castle Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales. The trust’s mission is to protect the castle and its surroundings for future public enjoyment. It was founded in 1998.
Since it was founded, the trust has tried to raise money for Gwrych Castle’s upkeep and repair. The history of the castle and its significance to the neighborhood have also been promoted. In order to raise money and create interest in the castle, the trust has planned a multitude of events and activities in the castle, such as tours, concerts, and reenactments.
A board of trustees oversees the preservation and restoration work being done at Gwrych Castle on behalf of the trust. A network of volunteers supports it by assisting with a range of jobs, such as cleaning, gardening, and event preparation. The trust depends on public donations to support its mission.
All things considered, the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust is essential to maintaining and promoting this significant historical landmark.
You can get more details from here : GWRYCH CASTLE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED
See this 4K walking tour of the stunning Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales.
Source : Wikipedia , gwrychcastle.co.uk | please dm for removals
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