Gwydir Castle, Wales
One of my goals when visiting Wales was to see haunted castles. When speaking of haunted places in this ancient land, one name is always mentioned, Gwydir Castle.
Gwydir was the ancestral home of the Wynn baronets, a powerful Welsh family during the Tudor and Stuart periods. Initially just a fortified house; Gwydir was modified in 1540 and 1590. The castle is associated with enough royalty and political intrigue to fill several books.
Royals are still associated with Gwydir. Prince Charles paid a formal visit in 1998, to personally commend the current owners, Peter Welford and Judy Corbett, on their efforts to restore the castle. As you might expect, it requires truck loads of money and perseverance.
Peter Welford, was kind enough to conduct us around his unusual home. Although somewhat less imposing than the “Big C” castles of Wales such as Caernarfon or Conwy Castle, Gwydir is more intact. If it has been your wish to sleep in a haunted castle, they offer Bed & Breakfast rooms.
While no spirits presented themselves, we had a lively encounter with four bold peacocks in the dining room. When a door is left open, these birds see it as a clear invitation to make themselves at home. Peacocks have found Gwydir an accommodating residence for centuries. In fact, this castle is famous for both their resident peacocks and for being one of the most haunted houses in Wales.
One peacock looked particularly regal standing in the center of the antique dining table. (In Medieval times he might have been stuffed with onions and munched as the main course�) Our host was soon racing around, waving his arms in a comical fashion, trying to shoo them outside. Life as a castle owner presents many challenges, including wrangling large birds!
Gwydir has no shortage of specters, according to Peter, including a ghost dog. Oddly enough, bones of a dog were unearthed in the cellar in 1995. The most notable spirit however is a human female presence. She’s always seen or felt in a long paneled corridor, accompanied by a putrid smell. Supposedly the young woman was murdered, her body unceremoniously walled up in the corridor. That would explain the smell.
This ghost has been around for some time and a vivid account of her was published in 1906. Several theories have been put forth as to her identity, but nothing is certain.
Although I can’t speak for the ghosts, Peter and his unruly peacocks will gladly welcome you to Gwydir.
