Chirk Castle

A National Trust property, open from February to December, the admission prices are around the £8 per adult, £4 per child mark — but with reductions for family groups, and an even cheaper deal if you take out a National Trust membership, which will save you an absolute fortune over the course of a year, and means you’ll never be stuck for somewhere to go. Chirk, founded by Roger Mortimer in the late 13^th century, was completed around 1310, and looks pretty much impregnable. The older parts are fascinating: once you’ve climbed the steep approaches (electric buggies are available for senior citizens and the disabled) you enter a large courtyard, with the more ancient parts of the castle furthest away from you. Feel free to explore the labyrinth of corridors and stairwells; the rooms are about as ‘castle-​like’ as is possible to imagine, and the dungeons are creepy beyond belief. And watch out for the incredibly deep courtyard well, even if it is covered by a grating. Plenty to see around the castle: huge collection of paintings from all periods, and furniture to match. The café is very comfortable and spacious, and there’s an ice-​cream vendor during the summer months. The grounds themselves are spectacular. A great day out.