Gwydir Castle

Gwydir Castle is a stone manor built between Trefriw and Llanrwst in Conwy County, combining Tudor features with a square tower. The grounds cover about 10 acres and hold gardens filled with centuries-old yew trees and three cedars of Lebanon.

The Wynn family rebuilt the estate around 1490 following the Wars of the Roses, reusing stones from Maenan Abbey to establish their residence. This reconstruction period marked their consolidation of power in North Wales after a time of political upheaval.

The estate served as a power base for the Wynn family and their connections within Welsh nobility, shaping how people understood landownership in the region. Visitors today see how families of standing lived and conducted their affairs through the layout of rooms and their contents.

The site is best reached on foot from the nearby villages, with gardens accessible year-round. Visitors should wear suitable shoes for the sloped paths and potentially muddy terrain in the gardens.

The building incorporates a complete spiral staircase salvaged from Maenan Abbey and integrated into its square tower, still fully functional today. This architectural recycling reveals how builders of that era repurposed materials from abandoned structures.