Chirk Castle : What To See, Tickets & Hours

Chirk Castle sits on the border of Wales and England and was originally one of a series of castles built for defensive purposes to keep the Welsh under English rule. As such, from the outside it looks just like you’d expect a medieval castle to look. It has towers, battlements, a secure inner courtyard and huge defensive doors. Once you explore inside, one part of the castle – Adam’s Tower – still retains this stark defensive style. There’s even an opportunity here for you youngsters to dress up in chainmail and armour! On the lowest level is a damp dungeon and on the higher levels you can easily imagine knights at leisure and their ladies practicing needlework in the large windows.

The joy of Chirk Castle though is that it did not stay as a defensive fortress. Instead, it became a family home with luxurious state rooms. As a result, it’s in incredibly good condition. Whilst many medieval castles fell into ruins, this one was preserved year after year for family living. Once you enter the family rooms, you forget you’re actually in a castle and instead it feels just like a stately home. On your visit you will get the see the oak-panelled entrance lobby, the beautiful staircase (pictured below), the dining room, the long gallery and more. Our favourite room was the old chapel, which was turned into a true family room instead with a large piano and family photographs. Only the windows give away what the room was originally used for.

The family home theme continues outside with stunning gardens to enjoy. There are walkways, a rose garden, a shrub garden and a leisure woodland to explore. One of the best views of the castle is walking down a mowed pathway from the woodland. Look out for the lawn areas. One of them has been levelled because it used to be home to the family tennis court!

Chirk Castle is now owned by the National Trust and operated as a heritage attraction. The castle is open all year round usually from 11am or 12pm each day. The gardens and grounds are open from 10am daily. Adult admission is £16 (2024 prices) but free for National Trust members.