Chirk Castle
Medieval Marcher castle with furnished state rooms, five-and-a-half acres of garden and a 480-acre estate, cared for by the National Trust.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Chirk Castle is one of several medieval fortresses built along the border between England and Wales to hold the Welsh under English rule. It dates from the 13th century and was designed as a stronghold rather than a home.
From 1595 the castle was the home of the Myddelton family, who lived there for more than 400 years. Although it was never planned as a family home, the furnished rooms visitors see today reflect this long period of private occupation.
The castle is set in a 480-acre estate of parkland with ancient trees, wildflower meadows and a stretch of Offa's Dyke. Close to the castle lies an award-winning garden of about five and a half acres with clipped yews and wide views across the Cheshire and Shropshire plains. Home Farm, an 18th-century model farm, now holds the ticket office, shop and visitor facilities. The National Trust cares for the whole property.
Highlights
- Furnished state rooms of a 13th-century Marcher castle
- Five-and-a-half-acre award-winning garden
- 480-acre estate with ancient trees and Offa's Dyke
- Café in the castle's historic kitchens
- Home Farm, a model farm from the 18th century
Permanent exhibitions
- Castle state rooms – Furnished rooms of the 13th-century Marcher castle, home of the Myddelton family from 1595.
- Garden and estate – Five and a half acres of formal garden and a 480-acre estate with veteran trees, meadows and part of Offa's Dyke.
- Operated by
- National Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £19 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £9.50free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 17; under 5s are free. |
| Groups (15+ people) | £18.05 per personAdult group price; the child group price is £9.03. |
| Families | £47.50Two adults and up to three children. |
| Family ticket (one adult and up to three children) | £28.50 |
Prices shown are without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid the adult ticket is £20.90, the child ticket £10.50 and the family ticket £52.30. Prices change between peak and off-peak seasons. Access to the estate is free, but admission is needed for the castle, tea room and garden. Free for National Trust members. Car parking is free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is no wheelchair or step-free access to the castle interior, but the garden has an accessible route and a 0.5-mile accessible garden trail. A volunteer-run shuttle bus takes visitors up the hill to the castle and may not run every day. Wheelchairs can be borrowed and one electric Tramper can be reserved. Accessible toilets are at Home Farm and in the castle courtyard, and induction loops are fitted in the ticket office, shop and café. A Braille guide and a virtual tour on an iPad are available at the castle entrance. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the castle rooms.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £47.50 · Two adults and up to three children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
There is a play area with natural wooden equipment at Home Farm, and seasonal family events such as autumn half-term programmes. One-adult and two-adult family tickets are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Chirk station
Chirk railway station (Shrewsbury to Chester line) is a quarter of a mile from the estate gates and about 1.5 miles from the castle; the Arriva 2/A bus from Wrexham to Oswestry stops in Chirk village near the station.
By car
Free parking
The car park is at Home Farm; enter via the ticket office. The castle entrance is 200 yards away up a steep hill. Overnight parking is not permitted.
- Accessible parking
The castle is seven miles south of Wrexham and eight miles north of Oswestry, signposted from the A5 and A483. Follow the signs rather than a satnav, which can lead the wrong way.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café in the castle courtyard (historic kitchens); the Dairy at Home Farm offers snacks on busier days; shop and second-hand bookshop at Home Farm; plants are sold from the main shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided morning tours run when volunteers are available, and group and school visits can be booked in advance. Dogs are allowed on the estate and on a short lead in the formal garden, but not in the kitchen garden or play area. |
