The National Trust’s Chirk Castle is a 700-year-old gem hidden in the Welsh countryside, dominating the horizon from its vantage point at the confluence of the rivers Dee and Ceiriog.
It is the only Welsh castle built during the reign of King Edward 1 that is still in use today. The interior rooms of the castle have been reworked, refurbished, and redecorated to reflect the tastes of the people who have lived there over the years. Thus, exploring the castle’s interior is a journey through the history of Wales itself, from the 17th century majesty of the Long Hall to the 1920s chic of the East Wing.
The opportunity to explore the mediaeval castle, complete with dungeons and “murder holes” throughout which military men defending the castle could pour boiling oil down on those attacking it, is a highlight of any visit to Chirk Castle. You can also try on traditional armour and participate in a drill.
The rooms occupied by the Myddelton family over the years in the castle present an exhibition of fine furnishings, ornaments, and art dating back over 400 years, while the servants’ quarters allow you to experience the harshness of life below the stairs in mediaeval Chirk Castle.
Your children can play with traditional toys and dress up in period costumes in the family activity room, while the 18th century woodland surrounding the castle is filled with scenic walks, geocaching trails, and hands-on den building activities.