Excursion Private reception at gwydir castle tour at Holyhead

Take a scenic journey across the isle of Anglesey, over the Menai Strait and head to Snowdonia National Park. In the foothills of Snowdonia, within the stunning Conwy Valley is Gwydir Castle. Famed for its peacocks and its ghosts, Gwydir is one of the finest, in-tact and most important Tudor houses in Wales.

This enchanting Grade I listed castle is set in ten acres of historic gardens (also Grade I listed), complete with knot garden, fountains, and historic Cedars of Lebanon planted in 1625. It is the ancestral home of the Wynn family, descended from the kings of Gwynedd and a very prominent family during the Tudor and Stewart eras.

Enjoy an exclusive private tour of Gwydir with the current owners, who have made the castle their home and lifework since 1994, as they have lovingly restored the house to its original grandeur.

Discover a real Tudor home, complete with priest hole and garderobe. Stroll through the rooms without the restriction of ropes or harrying stewards and see period furniture, crooked floors and doorways and the panelled Dining Room bought in 1921 by William Randolph Hearst (the character Citizen Kane was based upon).

In 1995 Gwydir’s lost Dining Room was discovered stored in a warehouse of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Hearst had bequeathed it to the museum in 1956. Following lengthy negotiations, the owners purchased the 17th century panelling, the fireplace and door case from the museum, and after seventy-five years of American exile, it was returned to Gwydir (all six tons of it, in fourteen giant packing crates). The restored Dining Room wing, with its reinstated panelling and folded leather frieze, was opened by King Charles III (then Prince Charles) in the summer of 1998.

At the end of your tour, indulge in traditional Welsh refreshments; Bara Brith (Welsh fruitcake) and scones.

Take some time to stroll in the immaculate gardens before the return journey to Holyhead.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Anglesey, Menai Bridge, Snowdonia National Park, Gwydir Castle

Note

Please note:  This tour involves a minimal amount of walking approx. 45 mins of walking /standing (there are chairs to rest) during the guided tour of the castle, then walking in the grounds at the discretion of each guest.)  for approximately 45 minutes, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.