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"); nw.document.close(); nw.focus(); } Chirk Castle Home Caerffili Caernarfon Chirk Castell Dinas Bran Castell Dinbych Pembrokeshire Coast Castell Rhaglan Rhossili and Worm's Head

The Amazing Gardens at Chirk Castle

The border between England and Wales is set by Offa's Dike, which runs along the property of Chirk Castle. This is still a residence, so the fortress is in excellent repair. All about the castle are wonderful lawns and gardens. I had only a couple of hours to explore this wonderland, but definitely urge you to allow much more time for your visit.

Incredible azaleas blossom in the gardens in late May

Anyone familiar with this castle's gardens will know that I only got a chance to explore a very small part of the estate. I could have spent an easy 12 hours at Chirk and still have more to see, but these images give an accurate idea of why Chirk is worth your time.
The castle was begun, circa 1290, by Roger de Mortimer, using a design by Edward I's great master of fortress design, James of St.. George, and completed circa 1310. The property subsequently passed through the hands of numerous English lords, eventually falling into the grasp, along with Castell Dinbych and Castell Dinas Brân, of Elizabeth I's special friend, Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. In 1595 Chirk came to the Myddleton family, who live there still.

The gardens, which were landscaped by William Emes in the late 18th century, contain trees of wide variety, some dating back as far as the Restoration, in the early 1660s. The gardens have reached their current glory due to the attentions of Colonel and Lady Margaret Myddleton. These efforts are definitely worthwhile, as a few minutes in this landscape is like a visit to fairyland. On leaving the main grounds I discovered a beautiful tudor-style house, well worth the visit. ...text and images - L. Nevard

The trees glow with yellow flowers around the goldfish pond

Home visit Caerffili and its Castle visit Caernarfon, a Gem of North Wales visit Castell Dinas Bran visit Castell Dinbych visit the magificent Pembrokeshire Coast visit Castell Rhaglan visit Rhossili and Worm's Head Useful Reference Materials for Wales

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