Thursday - Seyella and Moore2Life have gone ahead to Trevor ...
... we've stopped at the northern portal of Chirk Tunnel ...
... and are off to visit Chirk Castle, a walk of just over 1.5 miles ...
The magnificent iron gates are dated 1719 and bear the coat-of-arms of the Myddelton family. They are the work of the Davies Brothers, Robert and John of Croesfoel Forge, near Bersham, Wrexham and were erected between 1719 and 1721
The Lodge and gates from the inside of the grounds ...
... and another lodge about a mile up the road ...
... stunning views over the valley
Our first glimpse of Chirk Castle ...
... looks very interesting ...
Chirk Castle - the jagged line you can see just past the round tower is where the original building work finished, the rest of the building was finished much later
The drive up to the castle from the grounds ...
... fantastic building, still lived in today ...
Chirk Castle is 700 year old and was built in the late 13th century by Roger Mortimer, Justice of North Wales for Edward 1. The castle was sold for 5,000 UK pounds to Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1595 and his descendants continue to live in part of the castle today which ...
... commands fine views over ...
... the surrounding countryside
Clock and clock tower date back to 1609 ...
Courtyard Well and 'window' into the lower guard room ...
... of Adam Tower C1300 original - you can see a 'space' in the top of the arch here ...
... looking up into that space and you can see a 'murder hole' used to assassinate unwelcome visitors!
The main guardroom ...
... somewhere to sleep - looks very comfy! ...
... all mod cons available ...
and the only tiny shaft of light that the prisoners would have seen
Triple aspect ...
... although it's not certain what it's actual use was...
