Voted the most haunted place in Wales, Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales is popular among both the living and the dead. The 500-year-old castle is a partner of the National Portrait Gallery and its many rooms and corridors are filled with rare artworks, while there's also plenty to entertain the kids for a family-friendly day out.
Bodelwyddan Castle was built in the 15th century by the Humphreys family as a manor house, but was transformed by Sir John Williams in the late 18th Century into a grand gothic castle. During the First World War, the British Army used it as a base and the trenches used for training remain in the grounds. After the war Bodelwyddan Castle became a boarding school. Since 1982 the property has been restored to its 19th century peak and can now be viewed in all its Victorian glory.
Visitors today can take a guided tour of the castle's many historic features and delightful gothic architectural touches, while exploring impressive art collections dotted throughout. Children can enjoy dressing up in Victorian clothes or taking on games and quizzes. Outdoors, Bodelwyddan Castle's large grounds feature a maze, fruit orchard, woodland walk and adventure playground.
The spooky side of Bodelwyddan Castle is also worth exploring on one of its many evening ghost tours, held on various dates throughout the year. A skeleton discovered here 200 years ago remains buried upstairs, and sightings of the castle's previous occupants are common.
Bodelwyddan Castle, located close to the North Wales Expressway, is a 15-minute drive from RhylOpens in a new window.
