Blogger inspired by I’m a Celebrity produces quirky tourist guide

According to globe-trotting digital nomad Kieren Windsor, Wales is the castle capital of the world because it has more of them per square mile than anywhere else on the planet.

The hundreds of castles include the ones in Caernarfon, Harlech, Beaumaris and Conwy which have been designated as World Heritage sites.

Many of the rest are in ruins, some have been restored and Kieren has discovered a treasure trove of 17 of them where you can take a holiday and be king or queen of the castle.

He came up with the idea when he saw the phenomenal amount of interest that was generated when two series of I’m a Celebrity... were filmed at Gwrych Castle, near Abergele.

Three-bedroom gatehouse, Tan yr Ogo Lodge, which once served as the main entrance Gwrych Castle. (Image: Submitted)

Fans of the show can now stay in the three-bedroom gatehouse, Tan yr Ogo Lodge, which once served as the main entrance Gwrych Castle. It has a large master bedroom with sea views and can accommodate up to six people.

They include other North Wales gems such as  Bodelwyddan Castle, Denbighshire; Brynkir Tower, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd; Castell Deudraeth, Portmeirion, Gwynedd; Chateau Rhianfa, Menai Bridge, Anglesey; Tan-Yr-Ogo Lodge at Gwrych Castle, Abergele, Conwy; Tŷ’r Graig Castle, Barmouth, Gwynedd; Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, Denbighshire; Mold Tower, Mold, Flintshire; Hen Wrych Hall Tower, Abergele, Conwy and Bath Tower, Caernarfon Gwynedd.

The fortresses where visitors can man the ramparts overnight have now been listed on Kieren’s online guide: www.walesguidebook.com/stay/quirky/castles

The site also features travel guides to more than 100 locations and the business and marketing graduate, who hails from Newtown, in Powys, had has plans to eventually cover every destination in Wales.

Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel. (Image: Submitted)

“I’m from Wales and I’ve spent most of my life here so it’s inherent in me to sing about Wales, especially its castles,” Kieren said.

“I’ve always loved visiting castles, ever since I was a kid. This has without a doubt been one of my favourite guides to put together.

“We have a great heritage in Wales and castles are such an important part of that which is why staying in a castle is such a great way to experience the country.

“We have more castles per square mile than in any other country in Europe. Wales is known as the Castle Capital of the World. Most people only know about the ones you can visit for the day so I wanted to shout about the castles you can stay in.

“Some of them are guest houses, others are hotels and some are available for exclusive hire. There’s a real mix on the list.”

Kieren, who went to school in Llanfair Caereinion, began his marketing career with Wrexham's Jones Village Bakery before moving on to the North West where he worked for baking and confectionary companies in the Manchester area.

He learned about the role of influencers in marketing through his employment and after working with well-known bloggers, decided to give it a go for himself and combine two of his favourite passions: travelling and Wales.

Initially, he started a backpacking travel blog as a hobby. Within five years, it had morphed into a full-time business and in 2022 Kieren launched his latest project www.walesguidebook.com.

“The castle guide is the fastest-growing feature on the website and there’s definitely a demand there for people wanting more information,” he said.

“The reality series ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ really put Wales and its castles on the map during the pandemic when producers decided to film from Gwrych Castle, near Abergele, for two seasons rather than its usual home in the Australian rainforest.

“There was a real spike in interest after this so there’s obviously a real appetite out there for all things Welsh. I want to give people a helping hand by sharing what I know and have researched on these places.

“During the research phase, I read lots of reviews from tourists to see what kind of experiences they were having in these castles. I’ve never taken what the providers have said at face value, I’ve taken time to make sure the experience people are having matches up with the description.

“One of the favourites I visited is Manobier Castle near Tenby, Pembrokeshire. During the day, the castle is open to the public until 5pm, but if you stay here, you get the castle to yourself after dark.

“Bodelwyddan Castle has just about everything you could want – a spa, swimming pool, restaurant, you name it. It has the full package.

“Bath Tower is in a great location, with panoramic views across the Menai Strait. It’s built into the gate house of Caernarfon Castle and you can hire it out as a group. It’s a fantastic place at sunset where you can see right across the horizon.

“You’re literally in the middle of a bustling Welsh town yet at the same time you’re sandwiched between an historic Welsh castle where Prince Charles  became the Prince of Wales.”

Now that his latest guide has launched, Kieren is continuing his travels to unearth more hidden finds that will help him promote Wales as a top tourist destination.

Welsh castles where you can stay

Bodelwyddan Castle, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire

Brynkir Tower, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd

Roch Castle, near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

Craig y Nos Castle, Abercrave, Powys

Castell Deudraeth, Portmeirion, Gwynedd

Chateau Rhianfa, Menai Bridge, Anglesey

Tan-Yr-Ogo Lodge at Gwrych Castle, Abergele, Conwy

Cardigan Castle, Cardigan, Dyfed

Manorbier Castle, Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Tŷ’r Graig Castle, Barmouth, Gwynedd

The Welsh Gatehouse Castle, Chepstow, Monmouthshire

Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, Denbighshire

Mold Tower, Mold, Flintshire

Hen Wrych Hall Tower, Abergele, Conwy

Clytha Tower, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire

Bath Tower, Caernarfon Gwynedd

Castle of Brecon Hotel, Brecon Powys