At a glance
Gwydir Castle (LL26 0PN) is a Tudor manor house (c.1500) in the Conwy Valley forest near Llanrwst — privately owned and restored, open daily March–October. Adult admission ~£7. Free on-site parking. Conwy Valley Railway (Llanrwst station) gives car-free access. Famous for its panelled rooms, peacocks and the story of the dining room now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About Gwydir Castle
Gwydir Castle stands in its ancient forest above Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley — a Tudor manor house with a history that spans from the early 16th century to the present day. Built around 1500 by the Wynn family and occupied by them for more than 200 years, Gwydir was a centre of Welsh gentry life through the Tudor and Stuart periods, its owners accumulating connections to the Crown and influence across North Wales.
The castle's most extraordinary story involves its dining room. The 16th-century oak panelling that lined the room was sold in 1921, eventually acquired by William Randolph Hearst, and ultimately installed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains as "The Wainscoted Room." In 1994, the current owners — Judy Corbett and Peter Welford — purchased the derelict castle and began a restoration that included tracing the original panelling and creating a replacement dining room using replicated elements. Their book "Castles in the Air" describes the restoration.
Gwydir today is one of the most atmospheric house visits in North Wales — not a polished National Trust property but a living house with the warmth and idiosyncrasy of private ownership. The peacocks in the courtyard, the ancient cedars in the garden, and the sense of accumulated time in the rooms give it a character quite unlike any institutional heritage site.
Visiting tips
Getting there
From Llanrwst, take the B5106 west (towards Trefriw). The castle entrance is approximately 1 mile from Llanrwst, well signed on the right. Llanrwst station (Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno Junction) is 1 mile from the castle — a pleasant walk through the town.
Combining with Llanrwst
Llanrwst itself is worth exploring — Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (the 15th-century bridge cottage, National Trust tearoom) is one of the most photographed buildings in North Wales. The historic arched bridge and the town's market character complement a Gwydir Castle visit well.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Gwydir Castle was built around 1500 by the Wynn family, who occupied it for over 200 years and became one of the most powerful families in North Wales. The castle — properly a fortified manor house rather than a military castle — became the family seat of Sir John Wynn (1553–1627), whose memoir "History of the Gwydir Family" is one of the most important documents of Welsh Tudor history. In 1604, King James I's eldest son Prince Henry visited Gwydir as part of a royal progress through North Wales.
The panelled dining room at Gwydir Castle was sold and removed in 1921, purchased by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and eventually installed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains as "The Wainscoted Room." In 1998, the present owners tracked down the original panelling and acquired exact replicas of several pieces; the restored room is now one of Gwydir's highlights.
Yes. Gwydir Castle was purchased in 1994 by Peter Welford and Judy Corbett, who undertook an extensive restoration of the building after years of neglect. They live in the castle and open it to the public. This gives visits a distinctive character — the house feels genuinely lived-in rather than institutionalised, and the owners have written about the restoration experience in the acclaimed book "Castles in the Air."
The walled garden at Gwydir is being restored to its 16th-century form, with features including a period-accurate planting scheme, ancient yew hedges and a Dutch garden created in the 17th century for the Dutch wife of one of the Wynn heirs. The gardens are surrounded by ancient woodland including cedars and other specimen trees that were planted during the house's long history.
Gwydir Castle is 1 mile west of Llanrwst on the B5106 road through the Conwy Valley. Llanrwst station on the Conwy Valley Line (from Llandudno Junction) is 1 mile away. By car, the B5106 runs through the Conwy Valley south of Llanrwst — the castle entrance is well signed. On-site parking is free.