Penrhyn Castle sits in pride of place in north Wales with a stunning view of the Menai Straits and the sea beyond. Unlike the other castles in Wales though, Penrhyn is a ‘modern’ structure and was not built for defensive purposes. Instead, it was constructed as a family home in the early 1800s by the Pennant family. You might be wondering where the kind of wealth to be able to build your own castle actually comes from. The answer is particularly unpalatable in the modern world, as much of it came from Jamaican slavery where the family owned sugar plantations. They also owned a Welsh slate mine and some of the money came from the 150 years that this mine operated for.
You approach Penrhyn Castle on foot from a winding pathway from below (although an electric shuttle is available if you struggle with the hill). Until this point, the castle is hidden away behind the trees, so your first sight of it is as you walk up the path. Its grey stone walls and towers are particularly imposing from this angle and you immediately get a real feel for just how big this castle is. The main entrance has lovely sea views and is more like a doorway into a house than a castle. Once inside, the first room you get to see is the incredible double height hallway (pictured below). On your trip around Penrhyn Castle you will see this central room from below and also a balcony above. It’s the most stunning room in the castle with its huge fireplace and gothic cathedral-like arches.
Other rooms open for visitors include the Library, the gold and pink Drawing Room, the Ebony Room where Lady Penrhyn wrote her letters and a dining room with an absolutely huge table fully set for dinner. There are also a number of bedrooms to see including the suite in the tall square tower known as the Keep. This is where Lord and Lady Penrhyn had their bedrooms but also where royalty would stay on a visit. One of the most striking features in the whole house is the gothic main staircase which is hand carved by stonemasons (pictured below).
Outside, visit the walled garden and explore to 60 acre castle grounds. Penrhyn Castle is now owned and operated by the National Trust. The castle is open every day through the spring, summer and autumn but only at weekends from November to March. Typical hours are 10am to 4pm. Adult admission is £15 (2024 prices) but the castle is free for National Trust members.
LOCATION & MAP
Address: Penrhyn Castle & Gardens, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4HT
Email: penrhyncastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 0124 8353084
Penrhyn Castle is on the north Wales coast near Anglesey. It’s around an hours drive from Chester. Due to its proximity, we’d recommend visiting nearby Beaumaris Castle at the same time as your trip to Penrhyn.
MORE ON PENRHYN CASTLE
Penrhyn Castle – National Trust
Penrhyn Castle – Wikipedia
Hotels In Chester – Booking.com