16 eerie photos of the abandoned, 200-year-old Gwrych Castle in North Wales, which is said to be haunted

Frank OlitoSep 12, 2020, 20:54 IST

Gwrych Castle Estate.David Goddard/ Getty

Gwrych Castle in North Wales has been abandoned for decades.
Mark Baker is in charge of restoring the castle, and he spoke to Insider about the castle's long history.
Built in the early 1800s, the castle originally acted as a private residence and then as a site for medieval reenactments.
The castle is also said to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner, Countess Winifred.

Across the world, abandoned castles stand in ruin, but none has quite as interesting a history as North Wales' Gwrych Castle.

Built in the early 1800s, this castle was a private residence and then became a site for medieval reenactments. Insider spoke with Mark Baker, who is in charge of restoring the castle, to learn more about its history and the ghosts that haunt the grounds.

Keep reading to step inside the 200-year-old Gwrych Castle.

The sprawling Gwrych Castle overlooks the town of Abergele, North Wales.

Gwrych Castle in Abergele. Courtesy of Mark Baker

The castle was constructed in the early 1800s to honor its builder's family.

Gwyrch Castle. Cornell Capa/ Getty

The entire Gwrych Castle Estate sits on a massive 4,000-acre plot of land.

Gwrych Castle Estate. David Goddard/ Getty

When the Hesketh family lived in the castle, there were 128 rooms, including 28 bedrooms.

The interior of the castle from the sky. Courtesy of Mark Baker

The windows of the castle were made of cast iron and stained glass.

The windows at Gwrych Castle. Courtesy of John Walker

In the 1870s, the castle expanded to include churches and gardens.

The gardens have been restored. Courtesy of Mark Baker

But the most famous piece of design was the castle's marble staircase.

The marble staircase. Courtesy of John Walker

In the mid-1900s, the castle was turned into a tourist attraction.

The abandoned castle. Courtesy of Laurie Oliver

In 1985, the castle officially closed and was left abandoned.

Inside the ruins. Courtesy of John Walker

With centuries of history, the castle is said to be haunted.

The staircase at Gwrych. Courtesy of John Walker

Other guests have had similar creepy experiences on the legendary staircase.

John Walker in the castle's ruins. Courtesy of John Walker

One of the managers of the castle said they had a ghostly encounter at one of the castle's five gates.

Gwrych Castle's gates. Courtesy of John Walker

It's easy to believe this castle is haunted. Its walls are peeling and the rooms are cold and empty.

Inside the castle. Courtesy of John Walker

The ruins now reveal doorways to once hidden passageways.