DoneThat
Chirk Castle, Denbighshire, Wales
You couldn't miss those gates could you? How is that for a magnificent example of wrought iron gates made in 1719?
Visitors do not enter here but continue past further along the lane to the obvious visitor entrance.
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Walking up from the car park will bring you to this rather impressive view showing the Adam Tower. The castle was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk, 1st Earl of March as part of King Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales and guards the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley.
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This is the very impressive entrance gateway to the inner courtyard. I have to admit that the main entrance to our own house is a teensy bit smaller.
Looking at the top of the tallest arch there appears to be a small gap between the arch and the wall. That's because there is a small gap which was used to drop hot oil on marauding tourists.
| Comment | More of the castle |
This view seen from a castle window shows some of the topiary on this side of the castle. You may also notice a splodge of bright pink in the distance which is a rhododendron bush in flower as we were there at the right time.
Going along the path to the right will give you access to the further reaches of the gardens.
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This shows more of the gardens looking back towards the castle and showing the thatched roof of the open-fronted garden house, known as Hawk House, surrounded by a large rock garden. The name comes from the fact that in 1912 Lord Howard de Walden converted it into a thatched mews for falcons.
| Comment | More of the gardens |