Roger Mortimer de Chirk built the castle. He was the uncle of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March.
It was part of a plan to establish a chain of fortresses throughout Wales. Its position was chosen to protect the entrance of the Ceiriog Valley. It played a vital role in maintaining control over the surrounding area.
Chirk Castle’s design closely resembles the famous Beaumaris Castle. Its original plan was a rectangular enclosure. It also had towers at each corner and halfway along each side. However, only the northern half of this design remains. It features central towers on the east and west sides.
The castle’s medieval origins are seen in its simple gate through the north wall. Landscaping altered the castle’s appearance over time. Some of its outer defences were also dismantled.
Sir Thomas Myddelton was a well-known London merchant. He was a founder of the East India Company and bought Chirk Castle in 1593. Sir Thomas envisioned making Chirk Castle a cosy Tudor home. This marked the beginning of the family’s connection to the castle. A connection which was to last for generations to come.
Chirk Castle, or Castell y Waun in Welsh, is a medieval fortress. It is located in the county of Wrexham in North Wales. The castle is Grade I listed and dates back to its construction in 1295. Its rich history makes it an ideal destination for a day out. The National Trust own and manage Chirk Castle.
It is located just a mile from the Llangollen Canal.
Over time, the castle’s architecture changed to reflect its residents’ tastes.
Sir Thomas Myddelton made big changes and additions when he owned Chirk Castle. One of the most notable was the construction of a new north wing. This wing included a hall, kitchen, buttery, drawing and dining rooms. It became the main living area of the castle. Meanwhile, the old south wing was gradually converted into servant quarters.
Chirk Castle boasts impressive wrought-iron gates made by the Davies brothers in 1719. The gates feature the Myddelton family crest. The crest includes the iconic red hand symbol. The meaning behind this symbol is still a mystery. According to this legend, it originated from a race. The winner’s hand was cut off to prevent them from touching the prize.
Exploring inside Chirk Castle is a trip through history. The castle’s interior is made up of various architectural styles. The medieval tower and dungeon display the castle’s early features. These include thick walls and interesting murder holes.
The 17th century Long Gallery provides a glimpse of times past. Exquisite artworks line the gallery walls. Visitors can also discover 18th century state apartments. The servants’ hall and laundry give a better understanding of the castle’s past.
A vast 480 acre parkland surrounds Chirk Castle. It houses impressive award-winning gardens. The gardens are outstanding and include clipped yews herbaceous borders. They feature well-kept yews, vibrant herbaceous borders and fragrant shrubs. There are also enchanting rock gardens. Many mature trees offer shade and shelter to various species. They are a habitat for rare invertebrates.
You can take a leisurely walk on the terrace and marvel at the stunning views. The Cheshire plains provide a picturesque backdrop for peaceful reflection.
You can ride up the steep hill to the castle. A shuttle bus for visitors runs from 10:30am to 4:45pm. Please note, Volunteers run this service. It might not operate daily so check beforehand.
Chirk Castle is open all year round. The estate and inner courtyard can be accessed for free. Tickets are required to enter the castle and the 5-acre garden. Check the National Trust’s Website for opening hours and other details.
The castle has a gift shop that sells souvenirs. There is a café with various hot and cold beverages, snacks, and cream teas. It’s an excellent place to relax before exploring the castle.
Why not consider a canal boat holiday and visit the castle? You can choose from weekend, midweek, week or longer break with one of the independent and family-owned boat hire firms – and cruise the whole of the Llangollen Canal.
Lovely looking castle &grounds. After you’ve got through the entrance it’s abit of a walk up a hill but for people with mobility issues they lay on a shuttle bus for you.Beautiful things to see inside. All well kept &clean looking. Plenty of guides around to answer your questions.Nice gardens &walks to do.Plenty of things for children to get involved with. Cafes.shop.toilets &plants for sale. Lots of places to sit about &have a picnic too..We visited with a free pass.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Chirk Castle.
Fabulous gardens with amazing views on the Welch border.
We arrived early and got tickets for the house tour, very interesting with Huw, very informative and amusing tour.
The rooms we could view were beautiful.
We also enjoyed a very tasty cream tea. The best scones we have ever had.
A lovely National Trust property for a morning or afternoon out. There is lots of parking and a steep hill to walk up to get to the castle. A shuttle bus will take you up and down. The castle is lovely to walk around and the room guides are really informative. The gardens are also beautiful for a stroll. There is also a gift shop, cafe and toilets at the castle itself or back at the car park. Definitely worth a visit of you are in the area.
Chirk Castle in North Wales, with over 700 years of history, is one of the most spectacular castles in Wales. Originally built to control the border and provide defense, the castle features well preserved defensive areas, round towers, and dungeons. Visitors can climb the towers and explore the dungeons.
In addition to displays of various suits of armor and weapons, some of which can be tried on, there are also magnificent banquet halls, treasure rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms that showcase the castle’s former luxury. You can also visit the servants’ quarters and prisoners’ cells. Outside, the beautifully maintained gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll.
As the castle grounds are extensive and both the interior and exterior are worth exploring, it’s recommended to allow at least four hours for visit.
Although it takes about two and a half hours to get there, it is well worth the trip. Chirk Castle not only preserves and presents history but also allows visitors to engage with and experience it. If you’re a fan of British history, ancient castle architecture, or scenic views, this place is highly suitable and strongly recommended!
We visited an excellent Medieval Castle.
There is a smaller café near the entrance with a bigger cafe in the actual Castle. We didn’t know about at first. Or you can take a small picnic.
The grounds are beautiful around five acres in size.
Some lovely antique inlay furniture. Paintings of past residents.
There isn’t as much to see inside as one might expect, looking from the outside.
Definitely worth a visit. We spent around two and a half ours in the castle and grounds sitting and soaking up the atmosphere.
There’s quite a steep climb from car park to Castle which you would expect being part of the ancient defences.
The clock tower as some uneven stone steps to gain access to the next levels, some care is required to climb these.
The staff are very helpful and friendly, note that last entry to the state rooms is Four o’clock.
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