Gwrych Castle

For those who may not know, Gwrych Castle is home of the new set up for I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. As of September 5th 2021 it is closed to commence filming for the new series – so keep this blog in mind for next year when the doors will be open again!

I didn’t even know exploring the castle was a thing until my Mum treated us all to tickets for my Dad’s birthday, and I am so glad that we came along to visit. Forget the whole I’m a Celeb thing, the castle is impressive and beautiful, and you definitely try and make time to see it at some point.

Located in Abergele, North Wales, it wasn’t a long drive for us at all. Coming from Liverpool, we forget how much Wales is right on our door step. The drive took us roughly an hour and a half. Entrance into the castle was £5 each, and then free for the baby. We booked a time slot – 10am until 12pm (this might change next year) and we stayed until around half 11, but I think we probably could have stayed for longer if our baby boy was walking around, instead of sleeping in the back carrier, haha!

Now, driving to the castle was a rather bizarre experience. When you are about 5 mins away in Abergele center, you hit a castle-like-arch, which is obviously the way to the castle. You then start driving down a very narrow and pot-holed road in between a golf course and caravan site – it’s at about this point that you fear you’re going the wrong way, but stick at it. You then come to a kiosk to scan tickets, and then around the corner is a carpark. The carpark is at the bottom of the castle, so all you need to do is walk over the grass which takes you to a tight staircase entrance to get you into the castle.

Visiting the castle, a one-way system was set in place, and once you had walked all around, you could go again. We did, so we could get an ice-cream, because it was scorching!

The castle is mostly in ruins, but well kept ruins. It’s elegant and has immense views over North Wales to the sea, so if you visit on a sunny day you will be able to take some amazing photos. I didn’t stop snapping away with my camera, because every turn of a corner was breath-taking.

Being fans of I’m a Celebrity, and an even bigger fan of the current Queen of the Castle, Giovanna Fletcher – it did actually make it an even more fun experience. We saw the courtyards that they hung out in, the kiosk, walk ways, the jester portrait and dunny. It felt like we were on a film set.

This castle is over 200 years old, and it’s still in impeccable condition, all things considered. But again, the views are not to be missed. The Castle is set upon trees and on the side of a mountain/hill, so you look up at it from below, making it one of the most picturesque castles I’ve ever seen. No wonder ITV wanted to shoot here!

There is a shop tucked inside the famous kiosk, but it wasn’t open during the time of our visit. You can probably imagine the type of merchandise you can buy here – all I’m a Celeb-related. However, now that the castle is closed, there is a shop in Abergele town centre where you can buy all of the I’m a Celeb merch!