Chirk Castle

Chirk Castle, strategically located near the English-Welsh border, was built over 700 years ago and has been lived in continuously ever since, currently by the Myddelton family (since 1595 when purchased by Sir Thomas Myddelton for 5,000 pounds).

Despite its rather austere exterior and its bleak dungeon hollowed out of the rock, reached by a narrow, twisting staircase, the castle contains elegant state rooms with Adam-style furniture, impressive tapestries and portraits, and elaborate plasterwork.

Perhaps most interesting – after all, Kassie hurried us through the castle proper – are the gardens, which despite the threatening rain we managed to stroll through, among budding rose bushes, meticulously clipped yews, and fragrant blossoming trees and shrubs. A long terrace affords extensive views and leads to a classical pavilion and 17th-century lime tree avenue. Elaborate gates made in the early 18th century by the Davies brothers greet visitors who ignore the detour signs, as we did, and enter the castle grounds circuitously.

Date of Our Last Visit: April 2003