We decided to spend a weekend in North Wales a few months ago now, in order to climb on top of Snowdonia ! We left Leeds and drove down there, climbed on top of snowdonia, hiked in the Devil’s Kitchen and also visited a wonderful garden under the rain. The last day, the sun was out and we decided to stop at Chirk Castle on the way back to Leeds.
Chirk Castle was built in the late 13th century and is currently owned by the National Trust and is only open to the public between March and October. It’s more of a fortress than a lavishly decorated castle, but it was quite interesting to visit something a bit different !
The dungeon was quite interesting to visit as the walls are 5 meters thick ! That was very impressive. Some of them contain “murder holes” which allowed the pouring of some hot fluids and other nasty thing to anything/anyone trying to get into it!
We also explored the garden, full of roses, rhododendrons and azaleas. It was not the most overwhelming garden I had the chance to visit, but it was quite pleasant to wander around.
Darwin on the rocks and around the world 
I’ve missed so many of your posts! I love these old castles and dungeons. It’s as if I sat in a time machine of sorts and went into the past. I’d love to visit someday. :)
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Not the best one I have visited so far but was definitively worth a visit. It was a bit too rudimentary for my liking and the gardens not elaborated enough, I’m kind of a snob when it comes to gardens :p
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great castle!
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A bit bulky but quite interesting!
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Those dungeons doesn’t sound like a nice place to get lock in!! :)
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No, definitely not! :D
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Oh love the look of Chirk, and the dungeons sound fascinating!
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It’s a nice visit and they have a lot of activity for kids, so could be good for you and your little monkey ;-)
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Castles always seem cold, damp, and uninviting places – stately and beautiful on the outside but grim on the inside. Great post.
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I’ve seen nice castles before, but this one was quite cold and not very welcoming I agree
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Never been here yet – I think it’s got to go on the summer days out list!
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It’s nice to check it out (especially if you are a member of the National Trust!
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We are! so definitely one for this summer.
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Very nice places and pictures of them. You are right that the place is more of a fortress than the castle. I like the climbing green that grows on the wall on the garden side. It softens the solid structure a bit.
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It has a very chunky aspect and it’s not very elegant. I always associate the word “castle” with pretty building in my head ;-)
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I don’t even want to imagine the “murder holes!” Pretty building and site, though!
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The murder holes are quite common for castles of that age, but I agree.. it’s quite grim to think about it!
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This is a Polish-style castle. See this: https://awawdrodze.wordpress.com/2017/04/09/wpc-eagles-nest/ :)
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The walls also look thick!
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The walls with murder holes!! Gosh, I don’t want to be near such wall lol :D
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It must have been grim to live there during that period!
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Absolutely stunning, Gin! The building is in amazing condition for being 800 years old.
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The National Trust is doing a great job at restoring and maintenant these old properties!
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The dungeon makes me think our our friend. His dream home would have 5 foot thick walls, inner courtyard and no windows. That does not sound healthy at all. He wants a fortress from what we have no idea. He is sort of like Sheldon in Big Bang theory but less entertaining.
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That does not! I couldn’t live without windows!! haha! You friend sounds like an interesting person! :D
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That is so fascinating they had the murder holes in the 5mm thick walls! Such great lengths to stop anyone from escaping. Beautiful garden and lovely to see such a dark place become a much brighter one today :)
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The walls were really impressive! The garden was quite nice but you can tell that it’s not that popular with visitors and therefore, they don’t invest that much in the maintenance of the grounds …
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Noooo. To me the garden looks nice but I suppose you have to be there for yourself to see and fully experience it But any travel experience is a good experience :D
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I love these old buildings. Great photos💗
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I love visiting castle and ruins as well, it’s always full of history and I love the atmosphere!
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