Chirk Castle

Important notice -

The estate, garden, castle, shop and café are open. For visits from 7 August you won't need to book. For this week booking is recommended to guarantee entry. Please follow Welsh Government guidelines.

Magnificent medieval fortress of the Welsh Marches

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More about this place

A pink rose

Important information 

We’re pleased to say that a number of our places in Wales are now open. Booking is still advised at some our houses and gardens especially at weekends and during school or public holidays, however from 19 July you no longer need to pre-book to visit a couple of our places. You can check whether or not you'll need to pre-book by visiting the property web page. Please remember that our places in Wales are governed by Welsh Government Regulations and some restrictions remain in place, so please follow Welsh Government Regulations when visiting.

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Chirk Castle

Things to see and do

Chirk Castle   Wrexham

What's open?

The garden, estate, castle (last entry 3:30pm), shop, and café are open. On weekdays you don’t need to pre-book your visit. At busier times, like weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, booking is recommended to guarantee entry. We ask everyone to follow Welsh Government Regulations when visiting.

Book now
View of Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Visiting Chirk Castle: What you need to know 

To help keep everyone safe, we've made some changes to our usual offer. Read this article to find out everything you need to know about what's open and what to expect from your visit.

The imposing north face of Chirk Castle

Mortimer's Fortress, a medieval castle 

Chirk Castle was constructed by Roger Mortimer de Chirk in the late 13th century, under instruction from Edward I as part of the King’s chain of fortresses surrounding North Wales.

A view of the 17th century saloon at Chirk Castle

The Myddelton family home 

Visit the Castle and discover how this Welsh fortress was turned into an elegant family home, with lavishly furnished rooms that reflect 400 years of changing taste.

Three photographs of Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Lord Howard de Walden, at Chirk Castle

Twentieth-century indulgence 

In 1910 Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Lord Howard de Walden, fell in love with Chirk Castle, and negotiated a lease with the Myddelton Family, which continued until 1946.

The garden at Chirk Castle near Wexham in May

Relax in our glorious gardens 

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 5.5 acre garden.

Visitors in the garden at Chirk Castle, Wrexham, Wales

Find space to explore on the Chirk estate 

Take a walk on one of our trails around the fascinating 480 acre parkland, and discover a working landscape full of ancient trees, wildflowers, birds and bugs.

Upcoming events

See all events

Timed entry to Chirk Castle (26 July - 1 Aug)

Sat 31 Jul 2021
10:00-16:00
Book your timed entry to visit Chirk Castle.

Timed entry to Chirk Castle (2 Aug - 8 Aug)

Mon 02 Aug 2021
10:00-15:30
Book your timed entry to visit Chirk Castle.
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Chirk Castle

Eating and shopping

Woman holding takeaway hot drink

What refreshments are available?

The Courtyard Café is open from 10:30am to 4:30pm daily and the Home Farm Kiosk is open 10am to 4pm daily. Both are serving a selection of drinks, cakes, light bites and sandwiches. We’ve introduced new safety measures including screens at our till and collection points, and waymarked routes. If you’re using our indoor or outdoor seating, we’ll ask you to scan your membership card or, if you’re not a member, to leave brief contact details for the Test, Trace and Protect programme.

A variety of cermics from the Courtyard Shop at Powis Castle and Garden laid out on a kitchen worktop.

Stop off at our shop

Our shop is open from daily from 10am to 4pm. For the safety of staff and visitors, social distancing measures are in place and we've made changes to payment, which will be via card only. It is through your purchases that we are able to continue looking after Chirk Castle for everyone, for ever.

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Chirk Castle

History

Chirk Castle portcullis looking from the north

Chirk Castle, built to defend 

Started in the late 13th century, Chirk Castle was one of several medieval Marcher fortresses sited on the Welsh-English border to keep the Welsh under English rule.

Three photographs of Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Lord Howard de Walden, at Chirk Castle

Lord Howard de Walden, patron of Wales 

In 1910 the castle was leased to Thomas, 8th Lord Howard de Walden. He has been described as a shy man, a polymath (a man of many interests) and an eccentric millionaire.

The Cromwell Hall at Chirk Castle

Changing fashions in the Myddelton family home 

All is not as it seems at Chirk Castle. Many of the impressive interiors are recreations of previous schemes, a nostalgic tribute to days gone by and a nod to previous incumbents.

The front of the Kings Cabinet at Chirk Castle

Treasures of our collection 

When a family lives in the same place for 400 years they gather a diverse collection of art, furniture and curiosities.

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Chirk Castle

Art and collections

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Chirk Castle on the National Trust Collections website

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© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

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