| Stately Homes Wales UK |
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Featured Article
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Living History! from The National Trust
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"Wales is a land of castles, heritage sites, stately homes and gardens...there are hundreds here - experts have yet to agree on the precise number!"
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They range from forgotten earthen fortifications and mighty World Heritage Sites to small Welsh country estates like Llanerchaeron and Dinefwr and great neo-Victorian piles like Penrhyn Castle. Most of the stately homes and gardens are under the care of the National Trust and no visit to Wales is complete without them and marvelling, for example, at the wealth of the Welsh gentry and the slate barons. Each of the following
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has its own story to tell and most are open all year round to visitors:
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1. Segontium
(Remains of a Roman fort)
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Beddgelert Road, Caernarfon, Gwynedd
The remains of a Roman fort, built to defend the Roman Empire against rebellious tribes and later plundered to provide stone for Edward I's castle at Caernarfon. There is a museum (not NT) containing relics found on-site. Note: Segontium is in the guardianship of Cadw; Welsh Historic Monuments. The museum is managed by a local trust on behalf of the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, c/o Institute Building, Pavilion Hill, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1AS
Facilities:
Parking on main road nearby (no parking on site). Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted. Occasional educational activities. Contact museum directly for details.
Opening times:
All year 10:30-4:30 Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday). |
Notes: Open BH Mons. Opening times may vary, please phone for details. Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan 06. Museum (not NT) open 12:30-4:30, Tues-Sun. See website.
Admission prices:
Admission free. There may be a charge for the museum (inc. NT members).
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Disabled access:
Grounds: Partly accessible, slopes. Some visitors may require assistance from their companion.
About our location:
Click here for map. On Beddgelert road, A4085, on SE outskirts of Caernarfon, 500yds from town centre [115: SH485624]. Bus: From surrounding areas to Caernarfon (KMP 95, S4 and Arvonia 93 pass museum, on others 1?2ml walk to fort). Station: Bangor 9ml.
Telephone: 01286 675625 Website
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2. Plas Newydd
(Home of the Marquess of Anglesey, with spectacular views of Snowdonia)
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Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Isle of Anglesey
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Set amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery on the banks of the Menai Strait, this elegant house was redesigned by James Wyatt in the 18th century and is an interesting mixture of classical and Gothic. The comfortable interior, restyled in the
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1930s, is famous for its association with Rex Whistler, whose largest painting is here. There is also an exhibition about his work. A military museum contains campaign relics of the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry and lost his leg at the Battle of Waterloo.
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There is a fine spring garden and Australasian arboretum with an understorey of shrubs and wild flowers, as well as a summer terrace and, later, massed hydrangeas and autumn colour. A woodland walk gives access to a marine walk on the Menai Strait.
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What's new in 2005: Licensed for civil weddings. Historical cruises - boat trips on the Menai Strait - operate from the property, weather
and tide permitting (additional charge). Phone for details.
Facilities:
Free parking, 400yds. Licensed tea-room. Home-cooked food with a regional and historical theme using local produce whenever possible. Seasonal menu in Nov & Dec. Children's menu. Connoisseurs' and garden tours by arrangement. Send s.a.e. for details. Woodland &
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marine walk (leaflet available). Picnic area near car park. Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Front-carrying baby slings for loan. Children's play area. Suitable for school groups. Family guide. Children's quiz/trail. Tree house in garden.
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Opening times:
House:
19 Mar-2 Nov 12-5 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
Garden & Walks:
19 Mar-2 Nov 11-5:30 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
Shop & Tea-room:
19 Mar-2 Nov 10:30-5:30 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
5 Nov-18 Dec 11-4 Sa Su (Closed Monday-Friday).
Notes:
Open Good Fri. Rhododendron garden open 19 Mar-early Jun, 11-5.30
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Admission prices:
£5, child £2.50, family £12. Groups £4.50. Garden only: £3, child £1.50.
Disabled access:
Parking in main car park, 400yds. Minibus and shuttle service to house and garden. Drop-off point. Building: 3 steps to entrance, ramp available. 3 wheelchairs, booking essential. Ground floor accessible. Seating available. Photograph album. WCs: Adapted WC in dairy block near car park. Grounds: Partly accessible. Staff-driven multi-seater vehicle. Shop: Level entrance. Refreshments: Level entrance. Accessible tables and picnic tables. Braille guide and large-print guide. Touchable objects and interesting scents.
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About our location:
Click here for map. 2ml SW of Llanfairpwll and A5 on A4080 to Brynsiencyn; turn off A5 at W end of Britannia Bridge [114/115: SH521696] Cycle: NCN8 1/4ml. Bus: Arriva 42 from Bangor (passing Bangor & Llanfairpwll).
Station: Llanfairpwll (U), no practical Sun service, 13/4ml.
Telephone: 01248 714795; 01248 715272 (Infoline); 01248 716848 (Shop/tea-room) Website
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(Photo: John Hammond; Detail of the Whistler Mural in the Rex Whistler room at Plas Newydd. A naval scene with the crown and staff of Neptune resting against an urn in the foreground. Ref: 040925)
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3. Penrhyn Castle
(19th-century fantasy castle with spectacular contents and grounds)
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Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4HN
Built Thomas Hopper between 1820 and 1845 for the wealthy Pennant family on the profits of Jamaican sugar and Welsh slate, Penrhyn is a massive 19th century fantasy castle crammed with fascinating things including a 1-ton slate bed
made for Queen Victoria and working Victorian Kitchens.This enormous neo-Norman castle sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait. Hopper also designed its interior with elaborate carvings, plasterwork and mock-Norman furniture. The castle contains an outstanding collection  of paintings including 17thC Dutch & Spanish portraits; Rembrandt. The 'below stairs' Victorian kitchen and other servants' rooms, including scullery, larders and chef's sitting room, have been restored to reveal the preparations for the banquet for the Prince of Wales' visit in 1894. The stable block houses an industrial railway museum, a model railway museum and a superb dolls' museum displaying a large collection of 19th- and 20th-century dolls. The 18.2ha (45 acres) of grounds include parkland, an extensive exotic tree and shrub collection and a Victorian walled garden with wildflowers and bulbs.
Facilities:
Free parking. 200 & 500yds. National Trust Shop and licensed tearoom.  Children's menu. Gallery coffee shop. Audio House Tour. Temporary and permanent exhibitions. Railway and Dolls Museum. Oriental collection. Picnics welcome except in walled garden. Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Front-carrying baby slings for loan. Children's play area. Model railway museum and dolls' museum. Suitable for school groups. Education room/centre. Hands-on activities. Children's guide. Children's quiz/trail. Adult study days. Specialist guided tours by arrangement. Phone for details. Dogs on leads and only in grounds.
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Opening times:
Castle:
23 Mar-30 Jun 12-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays)
1 Jul-31 Aug 11-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays)
1 Sep-31 Oct 12-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays)
Grounds:
23 Mar-30 Jun 11-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays).
Tea-room:
1 Jul-30 Aug 10-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays).
1 Sep-31 Oct 11-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays).
Shop:
23 Mar-31 Oct 11-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays).
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Museums:
23 Mar-31 Oct 11-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays).
Notes: Victorian Kitchen: as castle but last admission 4.45. Last audio tour 4. Castle and grounds: last admission 4:30.
Admission prices:
£7, child £3.50, family £17.50. Groups £5.50. Garden and stable block exhibitions only: £5, child £2.50.
Disabled access:
Separate parking, 200yds. Alternative arrangements can be made on request. Drop-off point. Building: Ramped entrance. 3 wheelchairs. 1st floor of castle is inaccessible. Photograph album. Stable block: Fully
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accessible. Lift to 1st-floor gallery and museums. WCs: Adapted WC in kitchen courtyard. Grounds: 1 multi-seater PMV, booking essential. Shop: Ramped entrance. Refreshments: Level entrance. Braille guide and large-print guide.Wheel chairs, access to all areas except 1st Floor of castle. braille guidebook.
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About our location:
Click here for map. 1ml E of Bangor, at Llandygai on A5122. Signposted from junction 11 of A55 and A5 [115: SH602720]
Cycle: NCN5 11/4ml. Bus: Arriva 5/X Caernarfon-Llandudno;
Silver Star 6, Arriva 7 Bangor-Bethesda; 66 Bangor-Gerlan. All pass close Bangor and end of drive to Castle.
Station: Bangor 3ml.
Telephone: 01248 353084; 01248 371337 (Infoline) Website
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(Photo: Michael Caldwell; The Great Hall. Stained glass window with signs of the Zodiac by Thomas Willement. Ref: 001295)
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4. Aberconwy House
(14th-century merchant's house)
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Castle Street, Conwy, Conwy County LL32 8AY
Dating from the 14th century, this is the only medieval merchant's house in Conwy to have survived the turbulent history of this walled town for nearly six centuries. Furnished rooms and an audiovisual presentation show daily life from different periods in its history.
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Suitable for school groups. Family guide. Children's quiz/trail. Various musical events. Phone for details.
Note: The house has limited electric
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lighting and therefore is dark on dull days.
Opening times:
House:
18 Mar-30 Oct 11-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesdays)
Shop:
1 Mar-31 Mar 10-5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week).
1 Apr-31 Oct 10-5:30 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week).
1 Nov-31 Dec 10-5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week).
5 Jan-26 Feb 10-5 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Mondays/Tuesdays).
Notes: Shop closed 25, 26 Dec.
Admission prices:
£2.60, child £1.30, family £6.50. Groups £2.10, child £1. NT members free.
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Disabled access:
House: 10 steps to entrance. Alternative accessible entrance, via internal staircase from shop. Stairs to other floors. Seating available. Shop: (in basement) is accessible via 3 steps from High Street pavement.
About our location:
Click here for map. At junction of Castle Street and High Street [115: SH781777] Bus: From surrounding areas. Station: Conwy 300m. Cycle: NCN5. No parking on site.
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Telephone: 01492 592246 Website
(Photo: Matthew Antrobus; Close view of the details of the timbers of the Aberconwy House, which is the oldest building in Conwy. Little is known of its history. Ref: 060656)
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5. Conwy Suspension Bridge
(Elegant suspension bridge and toll-keeper's house)
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Conwy, Conwy County LL32 8LD
Designed and built by Thomas Telford, this elegant suspension bridge was completed in 1826. It replaced the ferry, which was previously the only means of crossing the river. The toll-keeper's house has recently been restored and furnished as it would have been a century ago.
What's new in 2005:
Guidebook for Bridge and Aberconwy House.
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Facilities:
No parking on site. Picknicking at Lower Terrace only. Suitable for school groups. Family guide.
Opening times:
18 Mar-30 Oct 11-5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week).
Admission prices:
£1.40, child 70p, family £3.50.
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Disabled access:
Limited parking available during day by adjoining bridge. Building: Level entrance. Ground floor accessible. Grounds: Steps to lower terraces.
About our location:
Click here for map. 100m from Conwy town centre, adjacent to Conwy Castle [115: SH785775]
Bus: From surrounding areas. Station: Conwy 1?4ml; Llandudno Junction 1/2ml.
Telephone: 01492 573282 Website
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(Photo: Matthew Antrobus; A view towards the Conwy Castle from the central span of the Conwy Suspension Bridge. Ref: 060663)
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6. Bodnant Garden
(World-famous garden noted for its botanical collections)
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Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4HN
One of the world's most spectacular gardens, Bodnant is situated above the River Conwy, with stunning views across Snowdonia. Begun in 1875, Bodnant is the creation of four generations of Aberconways and features huge Italianate terraces and formal lawns on its upper level, with a wooded valley, stream and wild garden below. There are dramatic colours throughout the season, with fine collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias, a quintessential rose garden, spectacular laburnum arch, and a 55yd tunnel of golden blooms, from mid-May to early June. Showy autumn-colouring trees. The garden and Pavilion Tea-room are managed on behalf of the Trust by the Hon. Michael McLaren QC.
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What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Free car park 50m from garden entrance. Refreshment pavilion, plant centre & gift shop (not NT). Picnicking in car park area only. Baby-changing facilities; baby slings. Highchairs. Dogs on leads in car park only.
Opening times:
Garden:
12 Mar-6 Nov 10-5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week).
Plant centre:
All year 10-5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week).
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Tea-room:
As Garden 11-5
Admission prices:
£5.50, child £2.75. Groups (20+) £5. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) members free.
Disabled access:
Main car park, 50yds. WCs: Adapted WC with RADAR lock in car park and tea-room. Grounds: steep slopes, many steps. Map of accessible route. Some visitors may require assistance from their companion.
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About our location:
Click here for map. 8ml S of Llandudno and Colwyn Bay off A470, entrance 1/2ml along the Eglwysbach road. Signposted from A55 [115/116: SH801723] [115/116: SH801723]
Bus: Arriva/Alpine 25 from Llandudno (passing Llandudno Junction). Station: Tal-y-Cafn (U) 11/2ml.
Telephone: 01492 650460 Website
(Photo: Ian Shaw; The Pin Mill at Bodnant reflected in the canal originally constructed in 1730. Ref: 006260)
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7. Plas-yn-Rhiw
(Small manor house with ornamental garden and wonderful views)
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Rhiw, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 8AB
Three Keating sisters, who bought it in 1938. The views from the delightful grounds and garden across Cardigan Bay are among the most spectacular in Britain. The house is 16th century with Georgian additions, and the garden contains many interesting flowering trees and shrubs, with beds framed by box hedges and grass paths. Brilliant displays of snowdrops and bluebells can be found in the wood above the house at the appropriate season.
Facilities:
Free parking, 80yds. Picknicking in garden meadow. Baby-changing facilities. Suitable for school groups. Booked groups. Dogs on leads and only on the woodland walk.
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Opening times:
18 Mar-30 May 12-5 Mo Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesday/Wednesday)
1 Jun-30 Sep 12-5 Mo We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesday)
1 Oct-23 Oct 12-4 Sa Su (Closed Monday-Friday)
24 Oct-30 Oct 12-4 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su (Open all week)
Notes: Garden and snowdrop wood open occasionally at weekends in Jan & Feb; phone for details.
Admission prices:
House & garden: £3.40, child £1.70, family £8.50. Groups £2.80, child £1.40. Garden only: £2.20, child £1.10, family £5.50. Groups £1.70. Garden & snowdrop wood (see above): £2.20, child £1.10, family £5.50. Advance notice is required; booked groups £1.40 per person extra (inc. NT members).
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Disabled access:
Drop-off point. Building: Level entrance. step from main entrance to hall. Seating available. Photograph album. WCs: Adapted WC in car park. Grounds: some steps, narrow paths. Shop: Level entrance. Braille guides for house and estate. Scented plants. House: ground floor accessible. Garden: very difficult; on steep hillside; narrow paths; steps.
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About our location:
Click here for map. 16ml from Pwllheli. Approach road changed due to landslip. Follow A499 and B4413 from Pwllheli. At Botwnnog, follow signs to Plas yn Rhiw along narrow lanes past Rhiw village. Gated entrance to drive at bottom of steep Rhiw Hill. [123: SH237282] Bus: Arriva 17B, Nefyn 8B from Pwllheli (passing Pwllheli) to Rhiw village, 1ml from property.
Telephone: 01758 780219; 01758 780267 (Shop)
Website
(Photo: Martin Trelawny; The house seen from the garden in Plas-yn-Rhiw. Ref: 006211)
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8. Ty-Isaf
(17th-century cottage)
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Bwthyn Llywelyn, Beddgelert, Gwynedd LL55 4YA
A shop and exhibtion are housed in this 17th-century cottage. There are superb walks in the area, including a stroll to the legendary Gelert's grave. The cottage, formerly known as Bwthyn Llywelyn, is the oldest house in the picturesque village of Beddgelert, situated within the Snowdonia National Park, near the spectacular Aberglaslyn Pass. It houses a 'plot to plate' exhibition on the area's local foods, and its recently restored 19th-century kitchen contains information on the diet of 200 years ago. There are superb walks in the area, including a 1 1?4ml circular wheelchair route along the riverbank including a stroll to the legendary Gelert's Grave.
What's new in 2005: Waymarked family trails at nearby Craflwyn and farm trail at Hafod-y-Llan.
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Facilities:
Parking (not NT), 200yds (pay & display), charge inc. NT members. Also NT pay & display car park 2ml away at Nantmor (free to NT members). Picnic site on riverside path 100yds. Leaflet and walks booklet available. Pushchairs admitted. Live interpretation. Hands-on activities. Children's quiz/trail. Educational visits can be arranged at nearby Craflwyn. Dogs must be on lead April-May.
Opening times:
25 Mar-30 Oct 1-4 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closes Monday/Tuesday).
Notes: Open BH Mons. Times shown may be extended, phone for details.
Admission prices:
Admission free.
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Disabled access:
Building: Ramped entrance. WCs: Adapted WC with RADAR lock at nearby public WCs. Braille guide.
About our location:
Click here for map. At centre of village beside old bridge, at junction of A498 and A4085. Beddgelert is well signposted from A5 and A487 [115: SH590481. Cycle: NCN8 6ml. Bus: KMP S4 from Caernarfon (with connections from Bangor), Express 97/A from Porthmadog (passes close Porthmadog). Station: Penrhyndeudraeth (U) or Porthmadog (U) both 6ml.
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Telephone: 01766 890293; 01766 510120 (Warden/Learning Officer); 01766 510131 (Property Manager) Website
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9. Ty-Mawr Wybrnant
(Traditional stone-built upland farmhouse)
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Penmachno, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy County LL25 0HJ
Situated in the beautiful and secluded Wybrnant Valley, Työ Mawr was the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan (c.1541-1604), first translator of the entire Bible into Welsh. The house has been restored to its probable 16th-/17th-century appearance and includes a display of Welsh and other bibles and an exhibition room. A footpath leads from the house through woodland and the surrounding fields, which are traditionally managed. A visit to Ty MawrWybrnant can be combined with a trip to Ty'n-y-Coed Uchaf, a traditional smallholding with 19th-century farmhouse and outbuildings.
Facilities:
Free parking, 500yds. The Custodian offers live interpretation of Ty Mawr to all visitors. Leaflet available, featuring interesting walks around Ty Mawr
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and on Ysbyty Estate. Pushchairs admitted. Suitable for school groups. Live interpretation. Children's guide. Children's quiz/trail. Exhibition room. Dogs allowed under close control. No access for coaches. 33-seater minibuses welcome. Phone to arrange access.
Opening times:
20 Mar-30 Sep 12-5 Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday-Wednesday)
1 Oct-30 Oct 12-4 Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday-Wednesday)
Admission prices:
£2.60, child £1.30, family £6.30. Groups £2.10, child £1.
Disabled access:
Separate parking, 20yds. Car park adjoining property off council maintained road. Building: Level entrance. Ground floor has uneven floors, slate flagstones. Steep wooden staircase with
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roped handrail to other floor. Interpretation panels within exhibition room. Seating in exhibition room. WCs: Adapted WC across bridge from property. Grounds: Partly accessible, uneven paths.
About our location:
Click here for map. At the head of the Wybrnant Valley. From A5 3ml S of Betws-y-Coed, take B4406 to Penmachno. House is 21?2ml NW of Penmachno by forest road [115: SH770524]. Bus: Jones 64 Llanrwst-Cwm Penmachno (passing Betws-y-Coed), alight Penmachno, then 2ml. Station: Pont-y-pant (U) 1 1/2ml.
Telephone: 01690 760213 Website
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10. Erddig
(Atmospheric house and estate, vividly evoking its family and servants)
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Near Wrexham, Wrexham County LL13 0YT
Erddig is one of the most fascinating houses in Britain, not least because of the unusually close relationship that existed between the family of the house and their servants. The beautiful and extensive range of outbuildings includes kitchen, laundry, bakehouse, stables, sawmill, smithy and joiner's shop, while the stunning state rooms display most of their original 18th- and 19th-century furniture and furnishings (John Belchier), including  some exquisite Chinese wallpaper. Chealsea & Worcester porcelain. Below Stairs: kitchen, laundries, servant's quarters. Most rooms have no electric light; visitors wishing to make a close study of pictures and textiles should avoid dull days. The Small Chinese Room is open Wed and Sat on application. The large walled garden has been restored to its 18th-century formal design and has a Victorian parterre and yew walk. It also contains the National Collection of Ivies and vibrant summer bedding scenes. There is an extensive park with woodland walks and showy autumn-colouring trees. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available.
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What's new in 2005: Children's garden trail.
Facilities:
Free parking, 200yds. Passing bays on access drive. Licensed restaurant. Children's menu. Tea-room. Parlour for drinks and ice cream at weekends. Picknicking in the car park. Baby-changing facilities. Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for loan. Suitable for school groups. Education room/centre. Hands-on activities. Children's guide. Children's quiz/trail. Dogs on leads and only in car park and country park. Garden tours (groups 20+) by arrangement with Head Gardener. House tours by arrangement with House Manager. 3 different walks.
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Opening times:
House:
19 Mar-28 Sep 12-5 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
1 Oct-30 Oct 12-4 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
Garden:
19 Mar-29 Jun 11-6 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
2 Jul-31 Aug 10-6 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
3 Sep-28 Sep 11-6 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
1 Oct-30 Oct 11-5 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
5 Nov-18 Dec 11-4 Sa Su (Closed Monday-Friday).
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Shop/plants:
19 Mar-28 Sep 11-5:30 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
1 Oct-18 Dec As garden
Restaurant:
19 Mar-30 Oct 11-5:15 Mo Tu We Sa Su (Closed Thursday/Friday).
5 Nov-18 Dec 11-4 Su (Closed Monday-Friday).
Notes: Open Good Fri. Last admission 1hr before closing. Due to the extreme fragility of their contents, the Tapestry and Small Chinese Rooms are open on Wed & Sat only.
Admission prices:
£7.40, child £3.70, family £18.40. Groups £6, child £3. Garden & outbuildings only: £3.80, child £1.90, family £9.20. Groups £3, child £1.50.
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Disabled access:
Contact in advance. Parking in main car park, 75yds. Drop-off point. Building: Ramped entrance. Access across rough gravel. 3 wheelchairs. Ground floor accessible. Stairs to other floors. Audio visual/video, photograph album, model of house on lower ground floor. WCs: Adapted WC. Shop: Level entrance. Refreshments: Steps to entrance with handrail, lift available. Access restricted to 3 wheelchair users at any one time. Parlour accessible to all visitors. Braille guide. Induction loop in audio-visual room.
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About our location:
Click here for map. 2ml S of Wrexham, signposted A525 Whitchurch road, or A483/A5152 Oswestry road [117: SJ326482] Station: Wrexham Central (U) 11?2ml, Wrexham General 2ml via Erddig Rd & footpath.
Telephone: 01978 355314; 01978 315151 (Infoline); 01978 315183 (Shop); 01978 315184 (Restaurant); 01978 315156 (Education) Website
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(Photo: John Hammond; Thomas Rogers, Carpenter at Erddig - one of a group of nineteenth century portraits of household staff at Erddig. Ref: 051934)
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11. Chirk Castle & Garden
(Magnificent 14th-century fortress of the Welsh Marches)
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Chirk, Wrexham, Wrexham County LL14 5AF
A magnificent Marcher fortress, completed in 1310. Chirk's rather austere exterior belies the comfortable and elegant state rooms inside, with elaborate plasterwork, superb Adam-style furniture, tapestries (Mortlake), embroideries, needlework and portraits. Features from different eras include the medieval tower and dungeon and 18th-century Servants' Hall. In the formal gardens there are clipped yews, quintessential rose gardens and a variety of wildflowers and flowering shrubs. Further on the garden is more informal, with a thatched 'Hawk House' and rock garden. The shrub garden has a small pool and rare varieties of trees and shrubs. A terrace with stunning views leads to a classical pavilion and 17th-century lime tree avenue. The 18th-century parkland contains many mature trees and elaborate gates, made in 1719 by the Davies brothers. After 400 years of occupation, the house is still lived in by the Myddelton family. |
What's new in 2005:
Facilities:
Free parking, 200yds (steep hill between car park and castle). Connoisseurs' tour by arrangement (min. 15), Wed-Fri am only. Programme of events, including family fun days and snowdrop walks. Click here for details. Licensed tea-room in castle courtyard. Children's menu only during school hols and weekends. Kiosk at Home Farm. Picnics in car park and picnic area only. Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Front-carrying baby slings and hip-carrying infant seats for
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loan. Children's play area. Suitable for school groups. Education room/centre. Hands-on activities. Children's guide. Children's quiz/trail. Adult study days. Dogs on leads in car park and on estate walks only.
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Opening times:
Castle & Shop:
18 Mar-30 Sep 12-5 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday/Tuesday).
1 Oct-30 Oct 12-4 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday/Tuesday).
Garden:
18 Mar-30 Sep 11-6 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday/Tuesday).
1 Oct-30 Oct 11-5 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday/Tuesday).
Tea-room:
18 Mar-30 Sep 11-5 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday/Tuesday).
1 Oct-30 Oct 11-4 We Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Monday/Tuesday).
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Notes: Open BH Mons. Last admission to garden 1hr before closing. Last admission to state rooms 1/2hr before closing.
Admission prices:
£6.40, child £3.20, family £15.80. Groups £5, child £2.50. Garden only: £4, child £2, family £10. Groups £3.20, child £1.60.
Disabled access:
Main car park, 200yds. Wheelchair-accessible transfer. Drop-off point. Courtesy coach from car park. Building: 7 steps to entrance, stairlift available. 3 wheelchairs, booking essential. Ground floor accessible. Many stairs with handrail to other floors. Access restricted to one wheelchair user at any one time on first floor. Stairclimber to state rooms may be available, phone to check. Seating available. Photograph album. WCs: Adapted WC at visitor reception and castle courtyard. Grounds: Mostly accessible; loose gravel paths. Some visitors may require assistance from their companion. Shop: 21 steps to entrance with handrail. Refreshments: Level entrance. Large-print menu. Accessible tables. Braille guide; many touchable items. Induction loop in reception, shop and mobile unit for house.
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About our location:
Click here for map. Entrance 1ml off A5, 2ml W of Chirk village; 7ml S of Wrexham, signposted off A483 [126:SJ275388]. Foot: Offa's Dyke Path passes the property. Bus: Arriva 2/A Wrexham-Oswestry. Station: Chirk (U) 1/4ml to gates, 2ml to castle.
Telephone: 01691 777701; 01691 776306 (Shop); 01691 776304 (Tea-room);
01691 776310 (Education); 01691 776309 (Box office) Website
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12. Powis Castle & Garden
(Medieval castle rising dramatically above the celebrated garden)
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Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RF
The world-famous garden, overhung with enormous clipped yews, shelters rare and tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead statues, an orangery, overflowing herbaceous and mixed borders, quintessential rose gardens, wildflowers and bulbs and an aviary on the terraces. In the 18th century an informal woodland wilderness with showy autumn-colouring trees was created on the opposite ridge. Perched high on a rock above the terraces, the medieval castle, originally built c.1200, began life as a fortress of the Welsh Princes of Powys and commands magnificent views toward England. Remodelled and embellished over more than 400 years, it reflects the changing needs and ambitions of the Herbert family, each generation adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, 17th-19thC furniture, and tapestries making the collection one of the finest in Wales. A superb collection of treasures from |
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India is displayed in the Clive Museum. Edward, the son of Robert Clive, the conqueror of India, married Lady Henrietta Herbert in 1784, uniting the Powis & Clive Estates.
What's new in 2005:
Major conservation work ongoing in State Bedroom, giving occasional opportunities to see work in progress All visitors (inc. NT members) need to obtain a ticket from visitor reception in the main car park on arrival. A timed ticket system for the castle may be in operation. Please note: dogs cannot be walked in the park which does not belong to the NT.
Facilities:
Guided tours of castle and/or garden by prior arrangement (additional charge). Shop. Licensed restaurant. Children's menu. Baby-changing and feeding facilities. Front-carrying baby slings for loan. Limited routes around terraced garden for pushchairs. Suitable for school groups. Children's guide. Children's quiz/trail. Guide dogs only in castle and garden.
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Opening times:
Castle/Museum:
21 Mar-4 Apr 1-5 Mo Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesday/Wednesday).
7 Apr-28 Apr 1-4 Mo Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesday/Wednesday).
29 Apr-4 Sep 1-5 Mo Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesday/Wednesday).
5 Sep-30 Oct 1-4 Mo Th Fr Sa Su (Closed Tuesday/Wednesday).
Coach house, Garden, Shop & Restaurant:
As Castle/Museum Opens 11
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Notes: Admission by timed ticket on busy days. Last admission 45mins before closing. Coach house opens 11, closes same time as castle. Garden opens 11, closes at at 6 when castle closes at 5, or at 5.30 when castle closes at 4. Shop & restaurant open 11, close 30mins before garden. Christmas shop, 11-4, and lunches: Fri, Sat & Sun, 4 Nov-18 Dec.
Admission prices:
£8.80, child £4.40, family £22. Groups £7.80. Garden only: £6.20, child £3.10, family £15.20. Groups £5.20.
Disabled access:
Contact in advance. separate parking. Drop-off point. Building: 12 steps to entrance. Very steep staircase to Castle and Clive Museum. Seating available. Photograph album. WCs: Adapted WC near garden entrance. Grounds: Partly accessible. Map of accessible route. Partly terraced with steps in some areas. No access for PMVs in garden due to very steep terraces. Wheelchair for garden use must be pre-booked. Shop: Level entrance. Refreshments: Level entrance. Braille guide. Guide dogs allowed in castle and garden.
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About our location:
Click here for map. 1ml S of Welshpool; pedestrian access from High Street (A490); vehicle route signed from main road to Newtown (A483); enter by first drive gate on right. [126: SJ216064] Foot: 1ml walk from Park Lane, off Broad St in Welshpool. Bus: Arriva 71 Oswestry-Welshpool; D75 Shrewsbury-Llanidloes, alight High Street, 1ml. Station: Welshpool 13/4ml from town on footpath.
Telephone: 01938 551920; 01938 551944 (Infoline); 01938 551928 (Shop); 01938 551927 (Restaurant); 01938 551926 (Plant sales) Website
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(Photo: Ian Shaw; Powis Castle from the south under the shade of a tree. Ref: 012017)
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Associated Features
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Next |
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Eventful Times, Eventful Places
Llanerchaeron Emerges from its Slumbers
Playgrounds of Penrhyn
Erddig Tops the Polls
National Trust Membership Offer
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