Gwrych Castle Estate. David Goddard/Getty Images
Gwrych Castle, North Wales, was abandoned many decades ago.
The castle was built in the 1800s as a private residence, and later became a venue for reenactments.
It is now being used for a TV series. The former owner said that he haunts the castle.
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The Gwrych Castle, a sprawling fortress overlooks Abergele in North Wales.
Gwrych Castle in Abergele. Mark Baker
Insider spoke to Mark Baker, the man in charge of the restoration of the castle. He shared more information about the castle's history and the ghosts that haunt it.
Baker said to Insider that the castle is "like something out of your imagination." It's like a fairytale.
Built in honor of its builder, the castle was built in the 1800s.
Gwyrch Castle. Getty Images/Cornell Capa
Lloyd Hesketh Bamford Hesketh began building the castle in 1812 as a tribute to his mother, the Lloyds of Gwrych. After the castle was completed, he lived in it as his private residence. The castle's grounds grew and developed over the years.
Gwrych Castle Estate is situated on a huge 4,000-acre parcel of land.
Gwrych Castle Estate. David Goddard/Getty Images
This sprawling estate is full of hidden treasures that date back to the castle's long-standing history.
The castle had 128 rooms, which included 28 bedrooms, when the Hesketh family lived there.
From the heavens, the interior of the castle. Mark Baker
Baker stated that the castle has 9 miles of walls. Today, however, they are completely exposed to the elements and are covered with greenery.
Cast iron and stained glass were used to make the windows in the castle.
Gwrych Castle's windows. John Walker
The stained glass today is broken or missing.
The castle was expanded to include gardens and churches in the 1870s.
The gardens were restored. Mark Baker
Lloyd passed the castle to Robert Bamford Hesketh, his son. Ellen moved in with him. They expanded the castle's grounds together. The castle's gardens, which included yew tree trees, was their greatest contribution.
The castle's marble staircase is the most iconic piece of design.
The marble staircase. John Walker
Robert and Ellen gave the castle to Ellen and their daughter, Countess Winifred and her husband. Detmar Blow, a British architect, was commissioned to create a marble 52-step staircase. The staircase is still in existence today.
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The castle became a tourist attraction in the middle of the 1900s.
The abandoned castle. Laurie Oliver
Gwyrch Castle was known as "The Showplace of Wales", where tourists could experience medieval reenactments. Over the past two decades, approximately 10 million people have climbed the marble staircase.
The castle was officially closed in 1985 and left to decay.
The ruins. John Walker
The castle was destroyed, but it served as the backdrop to the 1997 film Prince Valiant, starring Katherine Heigl.
The site was also used as a location for "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!"
Gwrych Castle. Natural Earth Imagery/Shutterstock
Despite filming in Australia, the show chose to film in North Wales in 2020 because of the outbreak of coronavirus. Preparations are already underway for the 2021 series.
In 2022, the castle will be open again to the public.
The castle has a long history and is believed to be haunted.
Gwrych's staircase John Walker
Gwyrch Castle's most popular ghost story is about Countess Winifred, a wealthy woman who made investments in art, hospitals, and religion. People believe her spirit is still trapped in the castle.
Baker stated, "I've seen some weird things and heard some strange stuff." Baker recalled seeing a ball light up the marble staircase.
Other guests have also had similar horror stories on the famous staircase.
John Walker among the castle's ruins. John Walker
Urban Ex Boys' creator John Walker visited the castle in 2014 for his YouTube channel and said that he still remembers an unsettling feeling.
Walker shared his experience with Insider, stating that "the best part was going into and seeing the staircase. It was a creepy sensation of being watched."
According to one of the castle managers, they had a ghostly encounter at the castle's five gates.
Gates to Gwrych Castle. John Walker
The duty manager posted the following description on the castle's website: "Terrified, the chain on my main gates rattled slightly and then the footsteps began moving towards me." It was pitch black on Main Terrace and I was waiting for an electrician to finish in another area of the castle so that I could lock myself up. I was only a foot away from the footsteps, and they kept coming closer. I was unable to breathe so I pulled out my phone and lit the torch, but no one was there.
It is easy to believe that this castle is haunted. The walls are falling apart and the rooms seem cold and empty.
The castle. John Walker
Baker stated that the castle is still in construction, but described the ruins as "incredibly special".
Now, the ruins reveal doors to hidden passageways.
The ruins. John Walker
The secrets of the castle have been revealed to the elements.
Despite the fact that most of the castle has fallen apart over the years, there are still some traces of its amazing design.
A mantle over a fireplace. John Walker
Baker, who was 12 years old, has worked to restore the castle's former glory to ensure it will continue to stand for many decades.
He said, "We have 120 rooms left to restore." It's a huge undertaking.
Wales Online reports that the 300,000 reported by the team behind "I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!" is about $412,000 The renovation of the castle will be funded by the money paid for its use last year.
Baker wants people to be reminded of the castle's history, even though it is well-known for its haunted ruins.
Gwrych Castle. Mark Baker
Baker wants tourists to be able to explore the castle and learn from him. He also wants them all to remember that these ruins have a rich history.
Baker stated that 200 years of history can be found on one website. These stories are rich and powerful. It is important that we save and preserve it for the next generation. "We want people to feel connected to that past."
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