Gwydir Castle was originally a 14th century fortification, founded by Howell Coetmore. In the late 15th century, Meredith ap Ieuan, founder of the Wynn dynasty added a fortified hall house. In the early to late 16th century the hall was absorbed, in the construction of a Tudor courtyard house, which incorporated gothic building material from the dissolved Maenan Abbey. Now roughly a J-plan Tudor mansion with 19th century additions of north and west wings, the house was gutted by fire in 1912 and 1922. The large four storey solar tower, with its projecting garderobe turret, is at right angles to the Hall of Meredith which has three main bays, then a half-bay at the south-west, which indicates a dais canopy. The Tudor archway of 1555, had a timber-framed upper storey until 1820 and the fine reinstated panelling in the dining room, was recovered from the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Gwydir is reputedly one of the most haunted houses in Wales. 12 miles north is Conwy Castle.