2 minute read
National Trust
The castle’s conflicting history means visitors can
not only discover its 700 year old medieval towers and dungeons, but also the 17th and 18th Century rooms of the luxury Myddelton family home. The castle’s collection represents 400 years of the family’s art, furniture, and curiosities, notably The King’s Cabinet which is said to have been given by Charles II to Sir Thomas Myddelton II in 1661, in thanks for his role in the restoration of the monarchy.
Outside, the award-winning gardens boast wonderful yew topiary and hedges, herbaceous borders, and rock gardens. A terrace gives stunning views over the Cheshire and Shropshire plains and the castle’s 480-acre estate that is waiting to be discovered by footpaths through woodland and parkland. This working estate is located within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural
Get outdoors at Chirk Castle this winter
Chirk Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress and family home built on the Welsh-English border near Wrexham. Completed in 1310 to keep Wales under England’s rule, Chirk Castle was never planned as a family home, however it’s the last Welsh castle from the reign of Edward I that’s still inhabited today.
Winter opening times
• The estate is open every day, from dawn until dusk • The garden, tower, shop and café are open from 28th January • The castle rooms are open from 28th February
Don’t miss
One of the most important items in the collection is a copy of Y Beibl Bach (the small Bible). The printing of this popular Welsh edition of the bible, pocket-sized and published in 1630, was partly paid for by Sir Thomas Myddelton. Due to its size and affordability, it’s credited with helping keep the Welsh language alive as it brought the written form of the language into thousands of ordinary Welsh homes.
To discover its fascinating story, listen to Episode 106 of the National Trust podcast, along with the history of Bishop William Morgan’s 1588 Bible. n
Beauty and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that provides essential habitats for rare waxcap fungi, invertebrates, wildflowers and ancient veteran trees.
Things to see and do
Winter is a fantastic time to explore Chirk Castle’s outdoors, so wrap up warm and put on some sturdy shoes. In February, two acres of snowdrops create an incredible white carpet in the Pleasure Ground Wood, soon followed by bluebells and foxgloves – it’s a sight that can’t be missed. Meanwhile evergreen trees and topiary sparkle with frost on the coldest days and colourful dogwood stems brighten up the winter landscape.
