Gwrych Castle have purchased the land beneath Tan yr Ogof Caves in Llanddulas in order to safeguard the site’s natural beauty.

The land, sat on the Western edge of Gwrych Castle Estate, is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the rare flora and fauna that thrive on the property.

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The Grade II listed landscape is currently being restored as part of a 25-year vision which will include extension of the visitor’s route, greater access to all age groups, and regulating public access.

Charlotte Wheate, on behalf of the vendor, said: “The property was purchased in 1999 by my grandfather, Lord Arlewas, to be enjoyed by our family and to prevent it from being inappropriately developed.

“Over the last twenty years, we have regularly visited the land and enjoyed walks through the property up to the caves owned by Gwrych Castle.

“We had been approached with the intention to turn the land into a scramble track, however this would have destroyed SSSI and our family's legacy.

“We are very glad that Gwrych Castle has been reunited with the land once again and we know it’s in safe hands!”

This section of the estate was split and sold off in 1961 by Leslie Salts and sold to the Minister of Agriculture, latterly the Forestry Commission.

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Conwy County Borough Councillor Pauline Susan Heap-Williams said: “Motorbikes have been a menace in this area for years and North Wales Police have tried to stop anti-social behaviour.

“During lockdown, the residents of Rhyd-y-Foel Road and New Road, Llanddulas, were inundated with people parking and blocking their driveways.

“It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage, disturb or destroy land known to be an SSSI or intentionally or recklessly disturb the wildlife in an SSSI.

“I look forward to Gwrych Castle protecting this land for future generations to enjoy.”

This year, Gwrych Castle are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Pleasure Gardens and Woodland Walks restoration project.

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Chris Keeting, the Volunteering Coordinator who has been working on the woodland restoration since its inception in 2002, said: “The woodland walks were mostly impassable and pathways lost but we have painstakingly restored them and they have been maintained by staff and volunteers for the past 20 years.

“The volunteers and I cannot wait to be able to restore this section of land that has been brought back into the ownership of Gwrych Castle.”

The castle, which dates back to the early 19th Century, is set to reopen on April 1.