The Myddelton family home

A view of the 17th century saloon at Chirk Castle

Discover how from 1595 the fortress was turned into the Myddelton's elegant family home - with lavishly furnished rooms which reflect 400 years of changing taste.

Myddelton family home

Sir Thomas Myddelton I was born in 1550, son of the governor of Denbigh Castle. With little hope of inheriting his father's position he left to make his fortune in London, which he did with remarkable success. His sources of wealth were varied and included privateering, sugar trading and investment in Merchant Companies which sought to exploit opportunities of global trade. Myddelton was one of the first investors in the East India Company in 1599.

In 1595 Sir Thomas I had bought Chirk Castle for £5,000 with the intention of turning it into his family seat. In fact he spent more time at his home in Essex, but he spent vast sums of money on the castle including building the North Range and its State Rooms before passing it to his son in 1612.

Sir Thomas Myddelton II was a Civil War general, first on the side of Parliament, and then later, disillusioned by Cromwell's military dictatorship, as a Royalist in support of Charles II.

Over the next 400 years the Myddelton family ruled a vast estate from Chirk Castle. Subsequent generations were ambitious industrialists, entrepreneurs, and politicians.

Chirk Castle's beautiful King's Cabinet was a gift from King Charles II to Sir Thomas Myddelton II
The front of the Kings Cabinet at Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle's beautiful King's Cabinet was a gift from King Charles II to Sir Thomas Myddelton II

What is there to see?

Walking through the State Rooms you will pass The Cromwell Hall with its collection of rare Civil War era firearms, a variety of architectural styles from A.W.N. Pugin's neo-gothic to Joseph Turner's neo-classical, the beautiful embossed King Charles cabinet, and enormous 18th-century mirrors.

Find out about life during the English Civil War, the occupation of the castle by the Royalists, and discover this family’s leading role in the survival of the Welsh language with their sponsorship of the first popular edition of the Bible in Welsh.

Explore the elegant Long Gallery built by Sir Thomas Myddelton I’s grandson after his Grand Tour of Europe; and the finest example of Neo-classical interiors surviving in North Wales, added in the 1770s by Richard Myddelton.

Download a copy of our Access Statement here: Chirk Castle Access Statement 2019 (PDF / 0.5MB) download