Kevin Horkin, a company executive, recently visited Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales, and captured something truly eerie on camera. As Horkin reviewed the photos from his visit, he discovered a startling image: a pale young woman seemingly gazing out of a window that should have been inaccessible. This discovery has sparked intrigue and speculation, as the room where the window is located has a floor that is entirely destroyed, making it impossible for anyone to stand there.
Key points
A Glimpse into Gwrych Castle’s Mysterious Past
Gwrych Castle’s history is as dramatic as the ghostly apparition reported. The castle’s origins trace back to the 12th century when the Normans built the first fortification. This initial structure fell into Welsh hands around 1170, when Rhys ap Gruffydd, known as the Lord Rhys, seized the castle. He then transformed it from timber into stone. The castle faced destruction once more during the English Civil War in the mid-17th century, as Cromwell’s army laid waste to it.
The castle you see today is a more recent construction, begun in 1819. This Gothic revival structure was commissioned by wealthy industrialist Lloyd Hesketh and became Europe’s first Gothic folly. Hesketh’s son, Bamford Hesketh, inherited the estate and used his fortune to expand the property into the 4,000-acre Gwrych Castle Estate.
Architectural Grandeur and Historical Highlights
Gwrych Castle, now a Grade I listed building, stands proudly on a wooded hillside overlooking the Irish Sea. Its design features nineteen embattled towers and a facade extending over 2,000 yards. The castle was renowned for its opulent interiors, boasting 128 rooms, including twenty-eight bedrooms, multiple halls, smoke rooms, a dining room, drawing room, billiards room, and an oak study. One of its most celebrated features was the 52-step marble staircase, a testament to its architectural splendor.
Queen Victoria herself stayed at Gwrych in 1932, in what is now known as the Victoria Bedroom. These rooms, located in the round tower at the front of the castle, offered sweeping views of the Irish Sea through their two windows.
A Castle in Decline
Despite its storied past, Gwrych Castle’s fortunes declined sharply over the years. After being sold in 1946, the castle changed hands multiple times and fell into disrepair. The once-grand windows were replaced with cast iron, and the magnificent stained glass vanished. The building, no longer occupied, deteriorated further as the years went by.
In the late 20th century, the castle faced significant damage. An American businessman bought the property with ambitious plans to transform it into a luxurious opera house and hotel, investing £10 million. However, these plans never came to fruition, and the castle suffered extensive vandalism. In early 1998, a series of unfortunate events, including the collapse of ceilings and floors and a subsequent fire, severely damaged the structure.
Paranormal Activity and the Ghostly Legend
Local lore and paranormal investigations have long associated Gwrych Castle with ghostly occurrences. The North Wales Paranormal group has reported numerous sightings at the castle, adding to its reputation as a haunted location. The ghostly image captured by Kevin Horkin has further fueled these claims.
The image of the pale young woman looking out of the inaccessible window is not only intriguing but aligns with the long-standing stories of spirits haunting the castle. While skeptics might attribute the sighting to photographic anomalies or reflections, believers see it as confirmation of the castle’s eerie reputation.
The Future of Gwrych Castle
Today, Gwrych Castle stands as a poignant reminder of its former grandeur and the mysteries that surround it. Efforts to preserve and restore the castle are ongoing, with various groups and individuals working to revitalize the historic site. The ghostly image captured by Horkin has reignited interest in the castle, drawing both paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs to explore its enigmatic past.
In summary, Gwrych Castle’s history is a tapestry of grandeur and ruin, haunted by both its past and its present. The recent photograph of a ghostly figure has added a new chapter to its storied legacy, blending historical intrigue with the supernatural. As the restoration efforts continue, Gwrych Castle remains a symbol of the rich history and spectral mysteries of North Wales.
