Volunteer opportunities at Chirk Castle

Volunteer gardener trimming the top of a hedge with a hedge cutter in June at Godolphin, Cornwall. — Volunteer gardener cutting hedges | © National Trust Images/ James Dobson | © James Dobson

Are you looking for a great way to spend your spare time, meet new people, and make a difference? There are a whole range of volunteering opportunities at Chirk Castle from driving the minibus, to giving tours. Learn more about volunteering at this fascinating castle and estate.

Volunteering at Chirk Castle

With over 150 volunteers, the team at Chirk is a big, friendly group to become a part of. Everyone’s reason for volunteering is unique, from meeting people to learning new skills and making a difference. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds, our youngest volunteer is 14 years old and our oldest is nearly 90 years old – age is no barrier to volunteering.

‘I love coming to the castle, no day is ever the same. You never know what will happen or who you will meet!’

- Brian, Chirk Castle volunteer

Why join us?

There are lots of reasons to join us; making the move to volunteer could be the best decision you ever make.

Become part of a friendly and dedicated team
Meet people from all walks of life and forge new friendships
Utilise your existing skills and learn new ones
Strengthen your CV and help to develop your career
Enjoy the great outdoors
Learn about the history of this special place.

One visitor in a family group gestures to a painting, while talking to a room guide volunteer at Chirk Castle, Wrexham, Wales. — Room guide volunteer and family at Chirk Castle, Wrexham, Wales. | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

How to volunteer at Chirk Castle

If you’re interested in volunteering, please email your name and contact information to chirkcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

You’ll then be contacted and invited to an introduction session where we’ll explain more about the roles available and register you as a volunteer. After this we’ll provide you with the support and training you’ll need for the role you choose.

Volunteer roles at Chirk Castle

We have a huge variety of volunteering roles from gardening to room guiding.  No matter what your previous experience, skills and motivations, there’s something at Chirk Castle for you.

Room guide

It’s essential to have a team of volunteers in the house so we can open Chirk Castle to the public. They care for its architecture and collections and are a fundamental part of the visitor experience on site. Our guides put the rooms and collection into context for our visitors, and help each person discover something new every time they visit.

Minibus driver

Some of our visitors are daunted by the steep walk up to Chirk Castle. This is where our team of volunteer minibus drivers comes in. With their help we’re able to offer a courtesy minibus service from the ticket office to the castle. This is an invaluable service, highly valued by less mobile visitors.

Ranger

With over 480 acres of estate to manage, our three full-time rangers need all the help they can get. Our volunteer rangers assist with all aspects of countryside management tasks, working within and alongside the ranger team, in a variety of activities. This includes planning and conducting woodland walks, wildflower studies and talks, craft activities and outdoor events.

Gardener

Our team of garden volunteers work throughout the diverse gardens at Chirk Castle. There's always something to do, from formal planting to working in the Pleasure Ground Wood, or pruning in the Rose Garden to growing vegetables in the Kitchen Garden.

Tour Guide

For visitors coming to any heritage property, sometimes it's difficult to learn where to start, with so much to learn and discover. This is where our volunteer tour guides are so valued. They’re able to give our visitors the stories and history of Chirk Castle in a way that’s memorable, entertaining, and fun.

Shop

A stop at the gift shop to pick up a souvenir of their day is an unmissable part of a visit to Chirk Castle. Without our team of shop volunteers, we wouldn't be able to offer the fantastic retail experience that we currently have.

Meet and greet

Our meet-and-greet volunteers are an essential part of our warm welcome and help visitors to orientate themselves on site.

Gardener tending red roses in a flowerbed in the garden by the castle at Chirk Castle, Wrexham, Wales. — Gardener tending the roses in the garden at Chirk Castle, Wrexham, Wales. | © National Trust Images/David Levenson

Other ways to support Chirk Castle

Short-term volunteering

Perhaps you’re part of a group or have a team of colleagues who would like to volunteer for the day? We have a range of short projects / conservation tasks perfect for a team-building day. Email chirkcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

Community projects

We’re developing our links with the local community and keen to get involved in community projects and activities. Please get in touch if you are part of a group and would like to work together. 

Donations

Make a donation or a gift in your will specifically to Chirk Castle. It could even be allocated to particular areas of our valuable work. 

Find out more at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/get-involved

Get online

Join our online community and share your stories, pictures and experiences of Chirk Castle with us. Follow what we are up to on Facebook and Twitter for the latest events and information direct from the castle.