Chirk Castle

Important notice -

The estate, garden, shop and café are open. The castle will remain closed. On weekdays you don’t need to pre-book. At busier times, like weekends & school holidays, booking's recommended to guarantee entry. Please follow Welsh Government Regulations.

Magnificent medieval fortress of the Welsh Marches

Please book ahead before visiting Check availability

More about this place

Crab apple blossom

Important information 

We have reopened our gardens, outdoor areas, holiday cottages, shops and outdoor seating at our tea-rooms in Wales. Over the coming weeks we will also be reopening some of our houses and castles, as well as indoor seating at some of our tea-rooms. Information about how to book your visit is available on property web pages and we ask everyone to please adhere to Welsh Government Regulations. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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Chirk Castle

Things to see and do

Chirk Castle   Wrexham

Please book ahead before visiting

The garden, estate, shop, and café are open. We are working hard to reopen the castle, however it will remain closed for now. 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. We're looking forward to welcoming you back.

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 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 (17 May - 23 May)

Tue 18 May 2021
10:00-16:00
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 10am to 4:30pm daily and the Home Farm Kiosk is open 10am to 4pm daily. Both are serving a limited selection of drinks, cakes, light bites and pre-packaged sandwiches to enjoy at our outdoor seating area, or to take away. We’ve introduced new safety measures including closure of our seating areas, screens at our till and collection points, and waymarked routes. If you’re using our 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 5pm. 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, in the Bow Room 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

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

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