Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, Rhyl, Wales

Bodelwyddan Castle is a stunning Grade II listed Victorian folly, surrounded by glorious parkland and the Clywdian Mountains. Hidden within the beautiful surroundings though lies a hive of paranormal activity, with many reports being apparitions, including a soldier, a woman in Victorian dress, and The Blue Lady.

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During 1830-1852, Bodelwyddan Castle undertook a period of restoration. Sometime during this, the owner at the time, Sir John Hay Williams discovered a skeleton in the wall near one of the chimneys. It was noted in his diary that he had asked for the bones to be built back in to the wall, to prevent awakening any spirits. The bones are likely still there to this day, which could be one of the reasons why this castle is so haunted.

Apparitions/Manifestations

There are a number of reports at Bodelwyddan Castle, some of which have been experienced for many years. There are a significant amount of visual reports here, most of which are apparitions or dark figures. One of the most prominent of these reports is the sighting of The Blue Lady. She has been seen by staff around the kitchen area, and is often heard rattling dishes and pans in the dead of night.

The ghost of a soldier in uniform has been seen in one of the galleries.

Dark shadowy figures have also been seen throughout the castle, walking the corridors, disappearing through walls, and seemingly following guests. Many guests have reported this feeling of being followed, but upon turning round there’s never anyone there.

Another report of an apparition is that of a lady in Victorian dress, who’s been seen on a few occasions in the Sculpture Gallery by staff.

Other reports

Guests and staff alike have heard unexplained voices throughout the castle, as well as strange sounds and light anomalies.
Guests have also reported that their hair was being tugged/pulled numerous times.
People have said they had been touched/poked on the leg/bum, which could mean there are spirits of children around.
During investigations, EVP’s have produced voices, EMF readings have inexplicably risen and dropped suddenly, and mediums have reported on a male figure a number of times.

Bodelwyddan Castle, near Rhyl, Denbighshire in Wales, was first built back in 1460. The first owners were the Humphreys family from Anglesey. The castle was built as a manor house for them. The longest serving inhabitants of the castle were the Williams-Wynn family, who lived here from 1690 -1920. The castle undertook years of restoration and extensions by Sir John Hay Williams. He employed the architects Hansom and Welch to extend the house further, which included a magnificent estate wall and a formal garden.

During the 1850′s the Williams family fortune dwindled after lead mining came to a halt, the families main source of income. Further refurbishment work was carried out again in the 1880′s, however, the estate was reduced by the time the First World War started, at that time the house was used as a recuperation hospital. The castles grounds to the east were used as a trench warfare camp.

In the 1920′s the Williams family fortune had worsened and the castle was then leased to Lowther College, an all girls boarding school. Lowther was based here for over 60 years until they had to close in 1982 due to financial problems. In the 1980′s the castle was passed on to Clwyd Council who developed a museum, gallery, and visitor attraction. Part of the site was leased to the Rank Organisation in 1994 and turned into a luxury hotel. It’s currently operated by Warner Leisure Hotels. The historic house and grounds aren’t part of the hotel but are managed by an independent trust and are open to the public.

This Grade II listed Victorian manor house, is a thing of beauty. Surrounded by the stunning Clywdian Mountainside and parkland. Inside the castle you’ll find a range of surprises including an art gallery, outdoor restaurants, bars, and several leisure facilities.

The castles accommodation is modern and luxurious with a range of rooms to choose from including Standard, Signature, and Royale Rooms. Standard rooms offer simple decor, and comfortable living. Signature rooms are the most popular choice among guests, with bigger beds, bigger chairs, and a more contemporary decor. The Royal rooms are in the newer section of the hotel and are dominated by four poster beds or sleigh beds. They are located in Williams Village next to the historic house. If you want the ultimate in luxury and comfort then the Royale rooms really are a must.

The St David’s restaurant offers freshly cooked food using the finest local and national ingredients to create the highest quality British and international dishes. There’s a hot and cold buffet breakfast, 3 course dinner with waiter service, and a carvery and buffet served daily. Relax with a latte in the Mulberry Coffee Shop, or unwind at the end of a long day with a wine, beer, or cocktail in the Elwy Bar. Or if you fancy a late night tipple, The Lowther and Gallery Bars are open till late.

Whether you’re staying at night or weekend, there’s a range of shows every night to keep you entertained too. If you’re looking for an active break away, Bodelwyddan has everything you could ever need. Staying at Bodelwyddan entitles you to free participation in many of the activities including archery, fencing, entry to the National Portrait Gallery, tennis courts, table tennis, history tours, woodland walks and more.

The Mulberry Leisure Club is also included in the price. You can make use of the newly refurbished indoor heated pool, fitness centre, or simply relax in the spa pool, sauna, and steam room. There’s also a range of beauty treatments available to help you re-charge and refresh ready for the night/day ahead.

Flat screen LCD tv
En-suite bathrooms
Toiletries and bathrobes
Tea and Coffee making facilities
Mini bars (Signature & Royal rooms only)
Spacious rooms
Comfy chairs
Hairdryer Iron & Ironing board
Biscuits replenished daily
Free WiFi Access

There is an abundance of activities and facilities at Bodelwyddan Castle to keep you entertained for a whole weekend. However, if you plan on going a little further afield, there are local golf courses nearby. You are within 200 acres of stunning parkland, which includes award winning historic gardens, a carp lake for fishing, and woodland to explore.

The Snowdonia National Park is an hour’s drive away. You can explore the many villages, lakes, mountains it has to offer. The Snowdon Mountain Railway is recommended. It will take you on a terrific journey to the rooftop of Wales, and look down over the magnificent surroundings of Snowdonia.

Bodelwyddan Castle offers weekend and mid week breaks. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to book for one night only. You can book a 2 night stay from around £100 per person, however, prices change constantly and can change dramatically depending on the entertainment that is booked for that particularly stay. You can check the latest availability here.