Chirk Castle Garden

Chirk's gardens are smaller than many, but still of interest, especially the 170-year-old topiary, some of the most extensive we've seen.

A first for us: crenellated hedges

Nice little coves

The formal gardens all going strong

We never ever miss Sweet Peas

It was the next to last week of school, so there were several classes of kiddies
on tour

Neat place, Chirk

Chirk Castle, 2

Continuing our visit to Chirk Castle, in Wales...

May have been used as the model for Sauron; note pointy toes

1930s comfy room, where luminaries like Gershwin and Cole Porter were entertained

Genealogical scroll (facsimile)

Deeds, etc.

Down-cycling: top part of fireplace had been a head-board

Library

Courtyard

Not comfy chairs

In the original kitchen, now the site's tea room

In the less improved portion of the castle

Thus

In the servants' dining room; note the little beer barrel on wheels

House Rules

Chirk Castle, 1

We liked Chirk Castle. It was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer for Edward I, part of the chain of great castles stretching across northern Wales, to keep the Welsh in order. Chirk is not as large nor defensively complex as the others. But it is not merely a ruins as most of the others are. The Myddleton family bought the castle in 1593, and slowly converted it into a residence and then a great house and gardens. It came to the Trust only in 2004, so its rooms and decor are an excellent example of National Trustick...medieval here, Tudor there, Georgian or Victorian here, 1930s somewhere else. There's a rationale, and it works in these houses that have been lived in, often by the same families, for centuries. Chirk is a great example.

Original Myddleton owner

Beautiful long hall; a necessity in the times

Betsy Coed

For the record, the name of the town is Betws-y-Coed, but we are not the only people who say "Betsy Coed." Some Brits coming down off Snowdon pronounced it that way too. Whatever. We were ready for a rest and so drove to Betsy Coed for an afternoon of strolling and shopping. It's a major tour bus stop and portal for walking in Snowdonia. There are half a dozen outdoor/hiking/climbing stores, all with sales on.

The previous night we parked in the same lay-by as in 2009

Driving in Snowdonia

Betsy Coed, main drag

Fun for Penelope!

A river runs through it

Right in town

Not all Welsh is incomprehensible

One thing you can count on in Snowdonia is rainbows