14c Mostly Cloudy
Barmouth Viaduct at Sunset 
Llanberis from Penllyn 
Morfa Bychan beach near Porthmadog 
What's the attraction?
A magnificent medieval fortress, it holds 700 years of history on one site, from scary dungeons to elegant state rooms and fine furniture which made the castle a stunning family home. Don't miss the restored laundries which give a glimpse of how the maids worked and lived, and the stunning garden with its gigantic clipped yews.
What's on offer?
As well as the castle, which contains beautiful paintings and furniture, there is a superb formal garden as well as an extensive 18th century parkland. A new bird hide alongside the estate woodland walk gives a close up of some of the birdsin the woodland. Visitors can also see pigs for the first time in the restored pigsties at the Home Farm.
A children's trail booklet goes through the castle and around the garden, while the family tracker packs are a great way of keeping to kids happy along the woodland walk. There's also a full programme of events at the castle throughout the season, from a knights and princesses day to a lecture on the garden and outdoor theatre.
How did you get there?
Chirk is about 7 miles to the south of Wrexham. We drove along the A5 to the village of Chirk and followed the signs for Chirk Castle - the castle is only a short 2 miles from the village.
How long did you stay?
We arrived at 11am and stayed until about 3pm, but we could easily have stayed longer.
Did you take a brolly?
No - but we were kitted out with waterproofs and wellies just in case, but we didn't need them. It is a good idea to take a brolly if you want to explore the garden. Bags are available so you don't have to carry wet brollies around.
What did you do there?
After a quick visit to the safe but fun play area near the car park (which was a real hit with the kids) we headed up the hill to the castle entrance. The children made a bee-line for the dry moat! We then explored the grounds, and walked and played with the kids on the lawns amongst the dramatically huge clipped yews, discovering the sundial, the dog's graveyard (where dogs belonging to Chirk's Myddleton family were buried) and the quaint little thatched summer house. Amazing views over the Cheshire and Salop plains can be seen from a nearby terrace.
Our children are too young to enjoy going around stately home type properties, so while Chirk does have some beautiful rooms crammed with fantastic paintings and decor, we skipped these in favour of the Adams Tower with its stone spiral staircases, dark dungeons and "garderobes" (medieval toilets) which provided endless fascination to our three year old! The old restored laundries are also worth a visit - visitors get to touch and smell the rock-hard soap used to wash clothes, see the old box mangle, as well as listening to fascinating recorded memories of the girls who worked there before the World War II.
How much did it cost you?
A family ticket usually costs £22 but as National Trust members we got in free (annual family membership costs £77.50 - 2 parents or £58.50 - 1 parent).
How about food and drink?
The National Trust tea rooms have a great reputation for tasty home cooking and Chirk Castle is no exception - we could choose from homemade soups, fresh baguettes and delicious home baked casks. We opted for the children's Trusty lunch boxes, which we could eat in or take away. And the ice creams from Woodlands were fantastic. They're made locally; as well as delicious vanilla, chocolate and raspberry, there's the more exotic Honeycomb flavour. There are also picnic tables near the car park, though you may have to share your sandwich with the chickens that peck around this area!
Are there any shops?
There's a cluster of shops in the courtyard near the car park. There's a gift shop with the usual range of National Trust merchandise plus a table of pocket money toys. There's also a plant shop, a second hand book shop and a kiosk selling coffee and ice creams. Finally there's a good farm shop selling organic and locally sourced produce. We bought some organic pork and some purple sprouting broccoli.
Is it OK for kids?
It's a super open space for children. There's a play area near the car park, woodland trails and the garden is just lovely. There are fantastic views, lots of yew trees to play hide and seek behind and grassy banks to roll down.
Can people with disabilities get around?
Yes. There is a minibus available to take less able visitors up to the castle from the car park and stair climber to help access the State rooms and level access to the tea rooms and laundries, but the nature of a building like this means some of the Adam Tower and dungeon just isn't accessible.
What were the best bits?
For the grown-ups it was the exhilarating views from the beautiful gardens. For the children pretending to lock each other in the stocks in the courtyard - and those medieval loos.
Opening times?
The castle and garden is open Wednesday to Sunday 11am - 4pm. More details on 01691 777701 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Chirk Castle, Wrexham, LL14 5AF. Further info on National Trust page.
