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Chirk Castle and Garden
Magnificent medieval fortress of the Welsh Marches
Chirk Castle, Chirk, Wrexham, LL14 5AF
Important notice
Due to strong winds, Chirk Castle will be closed on Sunday 22 December. Given the severity of the weather, please check our website on Monday before visiting, as safety checks will need to be conducted by our on-site staff prior to reopening.
Opening times for 23 December 2024
Asset Opening time Castle 11:00 - 16:00 Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Tower 10:00 - 16:00 Shop 10:00 - 16:00 Café 10:00 - 16:00 Cafe Dairy Closed Cafe Dairy 10:00 - 16:00 Bydd mynediad olaf i’r castell hanner awr cyn i’r castell gau. Bydd y tocyn mynediad olaf i’r castell yn cael ei werthu am 3.20pm, i sicrhau bod ymwelwyr yn cael digon o amser i gerdded at y castell. Am 3.30pm y caniateir y mynediad olaf trwy ddrws y castell. Mae’r parcdir yn parhau i fod ar agor i’r cyhoedd pan mae’r castell ar gau. Gall oriau agor Ciosg Home Farm amrywio. Rydym yn cau pan ragwelir gwyntoedd cryf, felly gwiriwch am unrhyw hysbysiadau argyfwng cyn teithio. | Last entry to the castle is 30 minutes before closing. Last ticket sold to the castle at 3.20pm to ensure visitors have enough time to walk up to the castle. Last entry through the castle door at 3.30pm. The parkland remains open to the public when the castle is closed. Home Farm Kiosk opening times may vary. We close when high winds are forecast, please check for any emergency notices before travelling.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £17.60 £16.00 Child £8.80 £8.00 Family £44.00 £40.00 Family 1 adult £26.40 £24.00 Group Adult £15.20 Group Child £7.60 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Second hand bookshop at Home Farm by car park.
Guided tour
Guided morning tours when volunteers are available.
Café
Cafe located in Castle Courtyard.
Plant shop
Plants available from main shop
Car park
Shop
Shop at Home Farm by ticket office.
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed on the estate, but not in the formal gardens, kitchen garden, Pleasure Ground Wood or inside the castle rooms.
Toilet
Toilets, including accessible toilets, at Home Farm and in the castle courtyard.
Unfortunately there is no wheelchair or step free access to the castle interior. We welcome all registered assistance dogs. The shuttlebus helps visitors up to the castle and runs throughout the day. This is a volunteer-run service and may not be available every day, please check before visiting.
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible route in the garden.
Powered mobility vehicle available
We have one electric Tramper which is capable of exploring the gardens and estate. To reserve this please contact us.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets are available at Home Farm (RH-transfer) and in the castle courtyard (LH-transfer).
Ramped access/slopes
Braille (guide or menu)
A Braille guide to the property is available from the castle entrance, please ask you or one of your party would like to use this.
Steps/uneven terrain
Designated parking
Virtual tour
Virtual tour on an iPad available at entrance to furnished rooms.
Induction loop
Induction loops in the ticket office, shop and cafe, and for guided tours.
Wheelchairs available
Narrow corridors
By road
Chirk Castle is 7 miles south of Wrexham, 8 miles north of Oswestry and 5 miles from Llangollen. It is clearly signposted from the A5 and A483. From the A5 proceed 1 mile to Chirk village, the entrance to the estate is 2 miles west of Chirk village. Please note: When you arrive by car at the white iron Davies gates please continue to your right. The entrance to the estate is 1.4 miles further on.
Parking: The car park is at Home Farm. Please enter via the ticket office - the entrance to the castle is 200 yards (via steep hill).
Sat Nav: When you get to Chirk please follow signs instead of your SatNav as this can take you the wrong way.
On foot
There are permitted footpaths from Chirk village year-round and from Offa's Dyke Path (April to October only). Entrance and exit drives provide walking access, both are a similar distance - approx. 1½ miles to Home Farm ticket office. Please follow signs to go to the Ticket Office before walking up to the castle and gardens.
By train
Chirk Station is on the Shrewsbury to Chester line. From Chirk train station it is ¼ mile to the gates of the estate, and 1½ miles in total to the castle. See directions on foot for more details.
By bus
The Arriva 2/A bus route from Wrexham to Oswestry will drop off in Chirk Village near the train station.
By bicycle
Canal
Chirk Castle is situated close to the Llangollen Canal, near Chirk Aqueduct. Limited mooring is available near to Chirk Tunnel, from there walk towards Chirk village. It is approx. 1 mile to the estate gates, and 2 ½ miles in total to the ticket office and castle entrance.
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Chirk Castle with your dog
The 480-acre estate can be a great place to explore with your pooch whatever the weather. Find out more about where you can take your dog and where you can stop for a tasty treat.
Article
Group and school visits to Chirk Castle
Explore medieval history and more, with group and school visits to Chirk Castle in Wales.
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Highlights
Castle
A 13th-century Marcher castle, that from 1595 became the home of the Myddelton family for over 400 years.
Garden
5.5 acres of award-winning garden, including manicured lawns, clipped yews, and stunning views over the Cheshire and Shropshire plains.
Estate
480 acres of working parkland and important nature habitats, featuring ancient veteran trees, wildflower meadows and part of Offa’s Dyke.
Home Farm
A predominately 18th-century model farm, with stable and threshing barn, that now houses our ticket office, shop, bookshop and visitor facilities.
Café
Located in the castle’s historic kitchens, the café serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, cream teas and light meals.
Café Dairy
Situated at the home farm, the dairy offers snacks and drinks, on busier days. When the weather allows, there is a small seating area available.
Shop
Located at Home Farm, the shop sells gifts, plants, garden decorations and tools, toys and local food products. We also have a second-hand bookshop.
Play areas
One play area at Home Farm with natural wooden equipment.
Spotlight events
Unwrap family fun this winter
Find inspiration for your next family outing at Chirk Castle. Explore the Adam Tower, tick off some "50 things to do before you’re 11¾" activities, and run off some energy in our natural play area.
Christmas at Chirk Castle
Immerse yourself in a festive and magical experience this Christmas at Chirk Castle. Discover the loyal guardians of the fortress as they protect the many treasures that lie within the Castle’s walls.
Things to see and do
Article
Family days out at Chirk Castle
There's lots of fun to be had at Chirk Castle to keep little ones running, playing and learning no matter what time of year.
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Visiting Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle was never planned as a family home. It was one of several medieval Marcher fortresses along the Welsh-English border, built to keep the Welsh under English rule.
Article
Visiting the garden at Chirk Castle
Indulge your senses and refresh your spirit with a gentle wander amongst the scents and seasonal colours of the rare shrubs and flowers in this lovely five-and-a-half acre garden.
Article
Exploring the estate at Chirk Castle
Take a walk around Chirk's fascinating 480-acre parkland, and discover a working landscape full of ancient trees, wild flowers, birds and bugs.
Top trails
Trail
Chirk Castle woodland walk
An easy circular walk among the woodlands and open fields surrounding Chirk Castle in Wrexham, Wales.
Trail
Battle of Crogen circular walk
A 3-mile circular walk from Chirk Castle, taking in a small section of Offa's Dyke path and passing the site of the Battle of Crogen.
Trail
The Old Golf walk at Chirk Castle
This moderate 1.2-mile walk takes you up onto an area known as the Old Golf, with a memorable view of Chirk Castle halfway around.
Trail
Llwyn y Cil walk at Chirk Castle
This gentle mile-long walk through 18th-century designed parkland at Chirk Castle offers memorable views towards the Cheshire and Shropshire plains.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Chirk Castle
Visit our tea-room and enjoy homemade cakes that are baked daily, using the freshest ingredients. Or visit the gift shop which is packed with handmade treats and souvenirs.
Places to stay
House By The Dyke
At the top of Offa’s Dyke this 1930s villa is in a great spot for exploring nearby Chirk Castle.
Ty'r Stocmon
Explore the grounds of a 700 year-old castle when you stay in this traditional Welsh cottage.
Chirk Home Farm Cottage
Close to Chirk Castle with walking trails all around, this pretty stone cottage has an enclosed garden.
The Bothy
This gorgeous half-timbered cottage in the stunning Powis Castle gardens has gorgeous Edwardian interiors.
Upcoming events
Event
Winter Garden Tours at Chirk Castle
Explore Chirk Castle’s winter garden this January with former head gardener Dave Lock. Discover seasonal highlights and hidden gems on this special guided tour.
About Chirk Castle and Garden
A stark symbol of power, the construction of Chirk Castle began around 1295 during the reign of the conquering Edward I in order to subdue the last princes of Wales. Built on an outcrop above the meeting point of the Rivers Dee and Ceiriog, the castle, with its imposing silhouette, was a brooding statement of English intent in these disputed lands. Chirk Castle was purchased by grocer, sugar trader and privateer Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1595, and was inherited through the Myddelton family line. With over 700 years of history, and as the last castle from this period still lived in today, Chirk Castle has lavish interiors and a beautiful and eclectic collection. The interior includes a 17th-century Long Gallery, grand parade of three 18th-century State Rooms with rich furniture, paintings and tapestries, the unique servants' hall, and the Chapel Music room furnished to display Chirk Castle’s connections to high society in the 1920s and 1930s. The award-winning gardens cover 5.5 acres of manicured lawns, clipped yews, herbaceous borders, beautiful rose, shrub and rock gardens, and the wooded pleasure ground – perfect for a stroll. Don't miss the terrace overlooking the 18th-century ha-ha at the bottom of the garden, with stunning views over the Cheshire and Salop plains. Chirk Castle has over 480 acres of estate parkland for you to explore, with sheep, cattle, veteran trees, wildflower meadows and a beautifully preserved section of Offa’s Dyke. The estate is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has also been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest as an important habitat for rare invertebrates, bats, fungi, and wild flowers.
History
Article
History of Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle was never planned as a family home. It was one of several medieval Marcher fortresses along the Welsh-English border, built to keep the Welsh under English rule.
Art and collections
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Chirk Castle's collection
Living in a castle for 400 years a family gathers a diverse collection of art, furniture and curiosities. Here’s some of the treasures in Chirk’s collection.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Chirk Castle
Join our great team of volunteers at Chirk Castle in Wales.
Our work
Project
Project
Mindful Meadow at Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle are delighted to have received a grant from Cadwyn Clwyd to create a Mindful Meadow at Chirk Castle working in partnership with local groups to contribute to its design and creation.
Latest news
Press release
Conservation of rare full-length portrait of an 18th century servant reveals tantalising clues about his identity and role
A rare full-length, life-size portrait of a servant at the National Trust’s Chirk Castle in Wrexham has gone on display following conservation and research to reveal some remarkable clues about his background.
Press release
People and nature thrive at Chirk Castle thanks to the creation of a Mindful Meadow
0.65 hectares of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) at Chirk Castle has been improved for people and nature as National Trust Cymru team up with a range of organisations and local charities to create a new Mindful Meadow, where people can connect to nature, improving their health and wellbeing.
Press release
Myddelton family portraits return to Chirk Castle and go on display for the first time
An exquisite portrait of Lady Margaret Myddelton and a portrait of Robert Myddelton-Biddulph which were both previously at Chirk, go on display for the first time. The portraits were gifted by the late Lady Aird, daughter of Lady Margaret Myddelton.
News
Chirk Castle’s history secured for everyone, for ever
We have purchased collections belonging to the Myddelton family and spanning over four hundred years of their time at Chirk Castle. Around three hundred historically important items have been transferred to our care, where they will remain forever, for everyone’s enjoyment.
Press release
One of the world’s largest and oldest oak trees returns to Chirk Castle
Three generations of the Williams family come together to plant a rare sapling at Chirk Castle, a sapling grafted from the Pontfadog Oak which stood during Owain Gwynedd’s defeat of the English and featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘widest tree in Great Britain’.