Family days out at Chirk Castle

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. 

February half term

This February half term, celebrate the magic of Chirk Castle’s snowdrop season with a series of snowdrop -inspired family activities.

Chirk is home to one of Wales' finest snowdrop displays, and this year the spectacle is set to be even better - an additional 15,000 bulbs have been planted across the garden.

From 14–22 February, pick up a free activity sheet from the Ticket Office and head out into the garden to begin your adventure. Challenge your family to a game of snowdrop themed noughts and crosses, then take inspiration from the winter garden to create your own artwork on the chalkboards or try your hand at snowdrop ribbon weaving. Continue your journey with a mini snowdrop quiz to discover more about these delicate early bloomers.

Finally, make your way into the Pleasure Ground Wood, where you’ll find carpets of beautiful snowdrops - the perfect finale to your winter adventure. Normal admission charges apply. Free entry for National Trust members and under 5s.

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:

No. 1 Get to know a tree

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.

No. 33 Go cloud watching

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.