The country house was one of the first attempts at replicating true medieval architecture in Europe and stands in 250 acres of gardens that has extensive views over the Irish Sea.

It was built by Lloyd as a memorial to his mother and her ancestors, the Lloyds of Gwrych, much to his own designs. When Lloyd died  in 1861, the Castle and the estate passed onto his son, Robert Bamford-Hesketh.

George Edmund Street designed the family’s chapel during the 1870’s and also several churches and schools for the Hesketh family. Robert and Ellen planted much of the present gardens with their enormous Monkey Puzzles and Yew trees.

The House was requisitioned during World War II as part of Operation Kindertransport. The mission allowed some Jewish children under the age of 17 to temporarily come to Britain for safety, of which 200 were housed at the castle.

In 1946, the property was sold by the Dundonald family, ending nearly 1000 years of family ownership.

More recently, the castle has become more of a household name thanks to it becoming the temporary home for ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’