An English Castle and British Ironwork in North Wales

In Brief.

Chirk Castle, between Wrexham and Oswestry, was originally built in the 13th Century as part of Edward I's infrastructure for subduing the Welsh, along with other well known castles such as Conwy and Caernarfon. However, it has been subject to a series of renovations over the centuries, and is now largely a country house (with a dungeon and a fine garden). Nearby is the British Ironwork Center, to add diversity to a day trip, with numerous iron sculptures, mostly of animals, and intimidating afternoon teas.

Chirk Castle from the wood.

What's Here?

Chirk castle is a country house occupying an imposing 13th Century castle. As a building, the Castle features robust towers and an airy quadrangle that includes outside seating for the cafe. Trudging up from the carpark past the uninspiring kitchen garden to the imposing walls, I wondered if this was going to be a poor relation to some other National Trust properties, but not at all!  For the most part, it is hard to see Chirk as a castle; many of the towers now have large windows, and the interior features grand state rooms in a variety of styles, having being renovated by successive owners over hundreds of years. However, there is still one tower that harks back to the original purpose of the structure, with uneven steps heading down to the dungeon (I almost went flying at one point) and exhibitions in the relatively plain rooms.

The sweeping gardens at Crick.



When walking up from the carpark, it is clear that the castle is on a hill, and it seems like the castle may occupy much of the high ground. However, at the opposite side the ground falls away more slowly, and there are fine and varied gardens. These include topiary, lawns, borders, a rock garden and a wood.  All very civilised, and in many cases with fine views.

All this civilisation won't really prepare you for the British Ironwork Center, which seems a bit like a garden centre where the plants have been replaced with metal animals. Though there is a sculpture park, it's about as unlike the Yorkshire Sculpture Park as you can possibly imagine.  The Yorkshire Sculpture park consists of the diverse (and sometimes incomprehensible) work of famous sculptors in a country house landscape. The sculptures here are largely of animals, with periodic minions, superheroes and dragons, by anonymous artists in fields. The sculptures, of which there are a great many, are accompanied by selected facts on the species depicted, and make the case that we humans are really messing things up for the other inhabitants of our planet. Having convinced yourself of our moral bankruptcy, you can retreat to the popular cafe for a monster afternoon tea or acquire a metal hippo for the garden. 

I don't think there was a metal Gru. 

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 63 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Price: $$ (Castle); I wasn't charged at the British Ironwork Centre, but they advertise $.

Parking: There is on site parking at both places.

Food and Drink: There is a typical National Trust cafe at the castle with dependable scones, and a thriving cafe at the British Ironwork Centre.

Retail Therapy: There is a National Trust shop at the castle, so souvenirs, books, woollens and foodstuffs; the British Ironwork Centre sells ironwork for the garden, pots and unnecessary household accessories.

Child Friendly: The castle has a play area, a dungeon and grounds for running around in; the British Ironwork Centre seems targeted at kids.

Toilets: Yes - in both places.

Do it justice in: The castle and grounds are both worthy of an hour plus cafe visit, and there are woodland walks if you have longer. The British Ironwork Centre has an extensive collection but can be expected to take a bit less time; most people were to be found quite close to the cafe.

Inside-Outside: 40:60

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