Gwrych Castle

Gwrych Castle, Abergele

Gwrych is a Grade I listed castle near Abergele. Chambers Conservation were appointed in 2019 to develop a Conservation and master-plan, and are also supporting initial grant-aided repair projects.  We are currently working with the Gwrych Castle Trust on a NLHF application. 

The castle has sadly fallen into decline over the last 40 years, to a point where it is now a roofless ruin.  The team have worked carefully to, firstly, develop a detailed understanding of the remaining fabric, its condition and significance, then develop a 25 year master plan for the site, defining uses and phasing for the castle and its many outbuildings as well as the wider landscape.  This has involved working closely with the business and interpretive planners and the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust to establish a robust, deliverable and exciting vision. 

The scheme has been successfully supported by the NLHF through the resilient heritage fund. Subsequently we have worked with the Trust on a variety of small conservation projects including the repairs to Tower B, which involved careful use of hot-limes and works to the Coach House, including the design and detailing of replica doors to replace those which have been lost. 

In 2019 and 2020 the castle famously paid host to the ITV television programme ‘I’m a Celebrity’.  The team worked with the ITV team and the trust to ensure the programme was able to use the castle to full effect and the site benefitted from a significant amount of investment in conservation and repair.  Most recently we have supported the trust with their successful National Heritage Memorial Fund Application.