Chirk Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Chirk Castle
Castell y Waun
Chirk Castle
General information
Type	Castle / Stately home
Location	Chirk, Wrexham County Borough
Coordinates	52°56′06″N 3°05′23″W / 52.93500°N 3.08972°W / 52.93500; -3.08972
Completed	1295
Owner	National Trust

Listed Building – Grade I
Designated:	20 October 1952
Reference #:	598

Chirk Castle, known as Welsh: Castell y Waun in Welsh, is an amazing old castle in Chirk, Wales. It's a "Grade I listed" building, which means it's super important and protected. Today, the National Trust looks after it, so everyone can visit and explore its history.

Discovering Chirk Castle's Past
Exploring Chirk Castle's Gardens and Parkland
Gallery
See also

Discovering Chirk Castle's Past

When Was Chirk Castle Built?

Chirk Castle was built way back in 1295. Roger Mortimer de Chirk started building it. He was the uncle of a famous person named Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March. This castle was part of a big plan by King Edward I. He wanted to build many strong forts across northern Wales. Chirk Castle was important because it guarded the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. It also served as a main office for the local area called Chirkland.

Who Owned Chirk Castle Through the Years?

In 1593, a man named Sir Thomas Myddelton bought the castle. He paid £5,000, which would be a huge amount of money today! His son, also named Thomas Myddelton, lived at the castle during the English Civil War. This was a big fight in England. At first, he supported the Parliament (called a Parliamentarian). But later, he changed sides and supported the King (called a Royalist).

During this war, parts of the castle were damaged. But don't worry, it was rebuilt! The Myddelton family continued to own Chirk Castle for many years. It passed down through their family from one generation to the next.

How Did Chirk Castle Change Over Time?

The castle got new windows in the 1500s and 1600s. These windows had special stone bars called mullions and transoms. After the Civil War, the castle was fixed up.

Later, from before World War I until after World War II, a man named Thomas Scott-Ellis, 8th Baron Howard de Walden rented the castle. He loved art and Welsh culture. During the later part of World War II, he even opened up parts of the castle to people who had to leave their homes for safety.

The Myddelton family moved back into the castle after the war. They lived there until 2004. In 1981, the castle was given to the National Trust. This means it's now protected and open for everyone to enjoy. You can visit the castle and its beautiful gardens from March to October.

Chirk Castle in Movies and More

Did you know Chirk Castle has been in a movie? In 1918, it was used to film "Victory and Peace." The castle was also a special stage for the 2013 Wales Rally GB car race.

Exploring Chirk Castle's Gardens and Parkland

What Makes the Gardens Special?

Chirk Castle is famous for its amazing gardens. You can see neatly trimmed yew hedges, colorful flower beds, and pretty rock gardens. There are also terraces with great views. The gardens are surrounded by a huge park that was created in the 1700s.

This park was first used as a deer park way back in the 1300s. In the 1600s, people started making formal gardens and kitchen gardens near the castle. The gardens kept growing and changing. In the early 1700s, a beautiful outer courtyard was built. It had stone walls and fancy iron gates. These gates were made by skilled craftsmen named Robert and John Davies.

How Did the Park Change?

In the 1760s and 1770s, a lot of changes were made to the park. A landscape designer named William Emes helped with this. He created a "ha-ha" which is a hidden ditch that keeps animals out without blocking the view. The famous Davies gates were moved to a different entrance. These changes helped create the beautiful park you see today.

What is Offa's Dyke?

A very old earthwork called Offa's Dyke runs very close to the castle. It's a long ditch and bank that was built a long, long time ago. It's even shown on old drawings of the park! Parts of it were covered when a lake was made. In recent years, archaeologists have dug up parts of Offa's Dyke here. They found that the parkland helped keep the old earthwork safe.

The Oak at the Gate of the Dead

About 300 yards from Chirk Castle, there's a special tree called the Oak at the Gate of the Dead. This tree marks the spot of a battle that happened in 1165, called the Battle of Crogen.

The parks and gardens at Chirk Castle are so important that they are listed as Grade I in a special register for historic parks and gardens in Wales.