Family days out at Chirk Castle

A family exploring the Adam Tower at Chirk Castle, Wrexham. | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Find inspiration for your next family outing at Chirk Castle. Explore the Adam Tower, complete with dungeons, 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.

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
Our shuttlebus takes visitors up and down the hill to the castle and runs throughout the day

Two children pretending to be stuck in the stocks in the courtyard at Chirk Castle; one with their feet through the foot holes and another child watching. — Children playing in the stocks at Chirk Castle | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

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.

A man, a woman and four children looking at an ornately decorated Christmas tree. — A family admiring a Christmas tree | © National Trust/Natalie Overthrow

Christmas at Chirk Castle

The enchanted castle theme at Chirk this Christmas is inspired by a large painting in our collection called Orpheus Charming the Animals by Thomas Ffrancis, which dates to the early 1600s. See the collection brought to life as you wander through the house. Look out for a range of animals in our decorations including birds in flight and monkeys causing havoc. Finish your visit with an immersive experience in the East Wing, which will be especially open for the festive season.

Reverse grotto

This December there will be a reverse grotto at Chirk Castle in aid of Oswestry and Borders foodbanks.

Items, including tinned tomatoes, soup, beans, tinned meat, tea, coffee, juice and UHT milk, can be donated at the ranger’s hub at Home Farm during normal opening hours. Father Christmas will be visiting the grotto on 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 December.

Supper with Father Christmas

Get into the festive spirit by joining Father Christmas for dinner in our tearoom. Tuck into a traditional Christmas feast with all the trimmings followed by a mince pie and/or ice cream. Children will hear a story and receive a small gift. It takes place on 15 December from 4.30-6.30pm. Places are limited, and booking is essential. An additional charge applies for this memorable event.

Click here to find out more about what's happening at Chirk Castle this Christmas.