Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle, owned by the National Trust, is a stunning place but with a dark side to it. The estate is vast with parkland walks and a railway museum as well as the formidable castle. 

Originally the Pennant family became rich from their ownership of sugar plantations in Jamaica. 1n the 1730s they returned to England but still received income from their overseas estates, worked on by African slaves. 

Richard Pennant established the castle and as MP for Liverpool began campaigning for the abolition of slavery. He invested his Jamaican money into the Penrhyn Slate Quarry and during his life, 1737-1808, he built Port Penrhyn, supporting local workers. 

Upon his death Richard's estate passed to his cousin George Hay Dawkins Pennant. He was an MP for Newark and also New Romney and also worked towards the abolishment of slavery. George died in 1840 the same year that the castle was completed.

The Castle and Estate passed down the generations and with the Industrial Revolution the slate industry thrived. However exploitation of the local workers caused an uproar resulting in a lengthy dispute. Workers pay and condition demands led to the Great Strike in the 1900s and many workers moved away with the quarry no longer providing work. 

Following the death of the fourth Lord Penrhyn in 1949 the land and title were split. The title passed onto the Frank Douglas Pennant and the castle and land was granted to the National Trust in 1951.

I found the Castle both stunning and unnerving. I wasn't keen on the dark gothic styles but the craftmanship in the plaster ceilings and wooden carved panelling was amazing as my various photos show; the staircase was absolutely stunning.

Carved arches in the billiard room

Intricate plaster ceiling

Stunning staircase, carvings and plasterwork

Penrhyn Castle was so dark, the decor was in deep colours with so much wood. All of it was stunning in design and workmanship but it did feel a bit spooky.

On a lighter note in the outer buildings there was a railway museum. We initially thought it was a model railway but to our amazement it was a collection of full sized steam engines. 

I'm so glad we went to see Penrhyn Castle, it's one we've heard of many times but never visited. It is certainly a place everyone should see, quite amazing in so many ways.