Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West and Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales, have welcomed the news that Gwrych Castle has been awarded £2.2 million of funding by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Gladstone’s Library, Insole Court and two medieval churches are also set to receive much needed financial support.
Gwrych Castle is a Grade I listed building as one of Britain’s most important castellated mansions and it has been identified by Cadw as an irreplaceable cultural asset. In more recent years, the castle has gained new public attention by becoming the home of ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ for 2020 and 2021.
The funding from NHMF will enable the Gwrych Preservation Trust to rescue the Castle’s corps de logis from imminent collapse by undertaking urgent repairs that had been halted due to the closure of the Castle and monetary support not being readily available, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The striking three storey space is flanked by two lower wings, boasting a suite of high status rooms – the State Apartments, comprising a great entrance hall, library, drawing room, music room and a spectacular Italian marble staircase regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales – which the funding will ensure is safeguarded for the UK public to marvel at for years to come.
The design of Gwrych Castle pays homage to the ancient castles of the UK with its gothic windows, crenellations, battlements, and towers. It was based on King Hywel Dda’s early-medieval Welsh law of a ‘princely court’ of nine parts with the main house containing the ‘Great Hall’ and the family’s private apartments.
Clwyd West Member of the Welsh Parliament, Darren Millar, said:
"Gwrych Castle is a hugely import part of our local and national heritage so I'm delighted that the National Heritage Memorial Fund has awarded such a significant grant to help safeguard the iconic building for future generations to enjoy.
"I can't wait to see the works get underway. They are an important step towards seeing this fairytale castle restored to its former glory."
North Wales Member of the Welsh Parliament, Sam Rowlands, said:
“I’m immensely pleased that the National Heritage Memorial Fund has chosen to support Gwrych Castle. The Castle is a popular tourist attraction and this investment will allow more of this historic treasure to be restored and opened to the public.”
Sam is also a trustee of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust.
