Discover more at Chirk Castle
Find out when Chirk Castle is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Family days out at Chirk Castle
Find inspiration for your next family outing at Chirk Castle. Explore the Adam Tower, complete with medieval toilets and murder holes, tick off some '50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities, and run off some energy in our natural play area.
Dungeons closed
The dungeons are temporarily closed. This is due to a maintenance issue. We apologise for any disappointment.
Planning your family visit
Here is the information you need at a glance to make the most of your next family day out to Chirk Castle:
- Children under 5 visit for free
- Baby changing facilities are located in the toilets at Home Farm and the castle's courtyard
- Our tea room serves children's lunch boxes and a range of hot meals, sandwiches, ice cream and cakes
- Picnics welcome
- There is no access for prams into the castle's rooms. A parking area is available. There is ramp access to the Library and Reading Room in the castle's East Wing.
- Our shuttlebus takes visitors up and down the hill to the castle and runs throughout the day
- Board games including Snakes and Ladders and Chess are available to play in the Reading Room, where you can also sit and read a book together.
Autumn half term
This October half term, from 25 October – 2 November, adventure around the autumnal gardens on a special quest to find a golden chair, inspired by Welsh folklore. Pick up a free activity sheet from the Ticket Office and take on the self-led challenges with the help of some fairy friends along the way.
On Monday, 27 October, storyteller Jake Evans will be visiting to ignite young imaginations with his captivating and spooky children’s tales. Sessions are between 12-3pm and last approximately 30 minutes each.
On Wednesday 29 and Friday, 31 October, get crafty and make your own magic wand or sword and shield to take with you as you explore. Drop into the Bow Drawing Room anytime between 11am and 3pm to take part.
On 1 November from 11-11.30am, craft your own spooky clay monster in the Mindful Meadow (secure your place at the Ticket Office on arrival).
No half-term visit would be complete without an exploration of the castle’s magnificent state rooms and historic Adam Tower, where signs of the castle’s medieval past can be seen.
Activities are free, normal admission charges apply* (free entry for National Trust members and under 5s). *excluding clay monster event.
Things to see and do at Chirk Castle
Adam Tower
We recommend your visit starts at the medieval Adam Tower, where signs of the castle's medieval past can be seen. Have fun dressing up in armour, go on the hunt for the medieval garderobes (toilets to you and me) and murderholes, and venture down into the two-level dungeons... if you're brave enough!
Wild play area
Our outdoor play area at Home Farm is great to keep little ones entertained. It is conveniently located next to the Kiosk which serves hot and cold drinks and snacks, with ample outdoor seating. So, it's a great place to stop to run off some energy, or for a rest before tackling the hill up to the castle.
Children must be supervised at all times. Kiosk opening times vary.
50 things to do before you’re 11¾
Bring your family closer to nature with 50 ideas designed to help us play and explore. There’s plenty of outdoor activities to do all year round, here's some that you can do at Chirk Castle:
Every tree has something special about it. Search for clues in its roots, bark and branches to uncover its story. Measure how wide its trunk is with your arms and use your hands to feel the texture of its bark – is it bumpy, rough or smooth? Are there any flowers or seeds growing there? You could make a rubbing with paper and a crayon to reveal the lines and patterns.
No. 9 Eat a picnic in the wild
You're welcome to picnic in our gardens and on the estate. There are some picnic tables located in front of the castle, benches dotted around the garden and shadey spot next to hedges and under trees. Before you set off, it’s time to raid the fridge but if you fancy an extrra treat or two, our courtyard tearoom has takeaway hot and cold food, snacks and cakes.
Pick your spot in the garden on a dry day, lie back on the grass and look up. What can you see? Use your imagination to pick out shapes and pictures in the clouds as they drift by. Do they resemble anything, like animals, trees or cartoon characters?
If the sky is bright, make sure to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and remember, don't look directly at the sun.
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.
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.
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.
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.
