Visiting Gwrych Castle

Gwrych Castle is a dog-friendly visitor attraction in a picturesque hillside setting. Our scenic visitor route is open throughout the year, from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm.

Explore the castle’s history, discover its gardens and surviving interiors, and see the progress of one of Britain’s largest heritage rescue projects.

What to expect during your visit

• Historic interiors: The Chapel, Nant-y-Bella Stairs, Dairy, Bakehouse, Bothy, Garages, Coach House and Writing Room are open to visitors.

• Restoration in progress: Access to the main house is limited while restoration work takes place. The Entrance Hall provides a viewing area for the building works and is open on days when construction is not taking place. Guided hard-hat tours are also available, offering the opportunity to explore parts of the main house and learn about the restoration.

• Restored gardens: Explore five acres of restored gardens, bringing colour and life back to the castle’s historic landscape.

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!: Discover some of the filming locations used for the 2020 and 2021 series. The television set is no longer here, but information signs and a selection of props help tell the story of the castle’s time on screen.

• Discover our history: Look out for information signs along the visitor route to learn about the castle, the people who lived here and our plans for its future.

• Self-guided tours: Pick up a leaflet at the Visitor Centre when you arrive and scan the QR code to follow our self-guided tour.

• Photo challenge: Find all 10 labelled photo opportunities along the visitor route, photograph each one and share your pictures on social media using #GwrychCastle for a chance to win a family day pass. We choose one winner every month.

Food, drink and shopping

Our pop-up café in the Garages serves light snacks and hot and cold drinks, and there is a bar in the Coach House. Local businesses also sell refreshments during selected events and weekends. Seating is available along the visitor route, and you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the East Lawn.

You’ll find our shops in the Visitor Centre within the car park and in the Garages in the Coach House Courtyard. Gwrych Castle merchandise is also available through our online shop.

Toilet facilities

Mains water has now been connected to the castle, and we are working to install permanent toilets. In the meantime, temporary chemical toilets are available on the main terrace.

Access around the estate

The castle was built into a hillside, so the estate has uneven ground, steps, slopes and steep footpaths. We recommend sturdy, comfortable footwear. Many paths on the standard visitor route are unsuitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and three-wheeled mobility scooters.

An alternative route avoids steps but includes a slope leading to the Coach House Courtyard, which may be demanding for wheelchair users and anyone assisting them. Please speak to our team at the Visitor Centre about disabled parking and this route. The gardens and Chapel are currently reached by steps and do not have wheelchair access.

Please see our FAQs for further information about access and facilities.

Restoring Gwrych Castle

A £4.5 million project to secure the castle’s future

Gwrych Castle is undergoing one of the largest conservation projects of its kind in Britain. In March 2026, a major programme of work began to restore the Castle Core and East Wing, marking a significant step forward in the rescue of the building.

Expected to take approximately 80 weeks, this £4.5 million project focuses on reinstating the castle’s essential structure, from floors to roofs. It will protect large parts of the main house from further deterioration and prepare them for future restoration and public access.

What is being done?

The programme includes:

• Reinstating floors and roof structures across the Castle Core and East Wing.

• Making these areas weather tight for the first time in decades.

• Repairing and protecting historic stonework using traditional lime mortars and conservation methods.

• Installing new rainwater systems designed to cope with modern conditions.

• Preparing interiors for future restoration and reopening.

By the end of this phase, approximately 75% of the main house will have floors and roofs in place. This will be the first time this has been achieved since 1985.

Discovering an earlier house

Investigations for the restoration uncovered the remains of a late medieval house within the East Wing. These important survivals are being carefully protected and have helped shape the design and scope of the current work, revealing another chapter in the history of the site.

Reopening the castle

The work will support the phased reopening of areas of the East Wing and principal interiors that have been closed to the public since 1985. As individual spaces are ready to welcome visitors, people will be able to experience parts of the castle that have been inaccessible for more than 40 years.

Securing the building’s structure is the foundation for this process. Further phases will restore the remaining sections of the castle and its historic interiors, gradually bringing more of the building back into use.

Supported by

This project has been made possible through the generous support of:

• National Heritage Memorial Fund

• Garfield Weston Foundation

• Wolfson Foundation

• The Pilgrim Trust

• The Richard Broyd Charitable Trust

• Rhyl Flats Wind Farm

• Gwynt y Môr Wind Farm

• Architectural Heritage Fund

• Swire Trust

• Historic Houses Foundation

• Ironmongers’ Foundation

• Vinehill Trust

• The Georgian Group Cleary Fund

• Mr and Mrs North

Alongside these funders, donations from individuals, trusts and other supporters help us continue the work of rescuing Gwrych Castle for future generations.

Book your visit

Pre-booking is recommended to help us manage visitor numbers. General Admission tickets are also available to purchase at the Visitor Centre.

Come and explore Gwrych Castle’s history and see its restoration taking shape.