Fantasy castle with industrial and colonial foundations
In line with Welsh Government legislation and the ‘fire break’ lockdown, all our places in Wales will be temporarily closed from 24 October to 9 November to restrict the spread of coronavirus. We urge people to follow government legislation, stay at home and not to travel. We look forward to welcoming you back when we’re able to.
The dominating stone façade of Penrhyn Castle hides more than just its internal red-brick construction. Built in the early 19th century, its formidable architecture, opulent interiors and fine art collection lean on a long history of sugar and slate fortunes, social unrest and the longest-running industrial dispute in British history.
Owned by the Pennant family, Penrhyn is a key example of how wealth derived from slavery shaped the built environment of Wales and underpinned local working histories. A staunch anti-abolitionist, Richard Pennant's fortune – acquired from sugar plantations in Jamaica that used enslaved labour – funded roads, railways, schools, hotels, workers’ houses, churches and farms in North Wales. The Penrhyn Slate Quarry and Port Penrhyn, established by the Pennants, dominated the Welsh slate industry for almost 150 years. Penrhyn Castle’s vast rooms, rich neo-Norman architecture and opulent furnishings are steeped in these colonial histories.
Set on the Menai Straits, with a backdrop of Snowdonia’s summits, Penrhyn Castle commands views to its quarry, and to the port from where the slate was exported around the world. It is surrounded by wooded and open parkland, ripe for exploring, and a walled garden that pre-dates the Castle and provides a calm haven for relaxation.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | N/A | £10.00 |
| Child | N/A | £5.00 |
| Family | N/A | £25.00 |
| One adult family | N/A | £15.00 |
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
In line with Welsh Government legislation and 'fire break' lockdown, all our places in Wales will temporarily close from 24 October to 9 November to restrict the spread of coronavirus. We urge people to follow legislation, stay home and not travel.
In line with Welsh Government legislation and 'fire break' lockdown, all our places in Wales will temporarily close from 24 October to 9 November to restrict the spread of coronavirus. We urge people to follow legislation, stay home and not travel.
