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Activities
Castles and Gardens
Built c.1200 by Welsh princes and perched dramatically on a rock above the magnificent garden below, this imposing castle has been adapted and embellished by successive generations of Herberts and Clives. It contains one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales and includes the Clive Museum, where many exquisite Indian works of art are displayed. The celebrated 17th-century garden was laid out under the influence of the Italian and French styles and is overhung by enormous clipped yews. Many rare and tender plants are sheltered in the herbaceous borders and there are original lead statues, an orangery and an aviary on the terraces. In the 18th century a wilderness garden, now famous for its superb display of rhododendrons and dramatic autumn colours, was created on the opposite ridge. This delightful combination of the formal and informal helps create a rare sense of beauty and tranquillity.
Completed in 1310, Chirk's rather austere exterior belies the comfortable and elegant state rooms inside, with elaborate plasterwork, superb Adam-style furniture, tapestries and portraits. Features from different eras include the medieval tower and dungeon and 18th-century Servants' Hall. In the formal garden are clipped yews, roses and climbers on the castle wall. Further on the garden is more informal, with a thatched 'Hawk House' and rock garden. The shrub garden has a small pool and rare varieties of trees and shrubs. A terrace with stunning views leads to a classical pavilion and 17th-century lime tree avenue. The 18th-century parkland contains many mature trees and elaborate gates, made in 1719 by the Davies brothers. After 400 years of occupation, the house is still lived in by the Myddelton family.
Museums and Centres
The Celtica Experience is an artist's impression of Celtic origins and heritage delivered to the visitor using award winning audio visual techniques. Lasting just over 1 hour, your journey takes you through 8 galleries, providing an informative and stimulating experience of Celtic culture and heritage.
Featuring more than 60 vehicles from cars to invalid carriages and pedal cars and a 50's village garage scene complete with owners quarters. The cars that grandad used to drive!!! Also, a small exhibition showing the history and development of our canal network
CAT's 40 acre site (seven acres on public display) has working examples of wind, water and solar power, energy conservation, environmentally sound buildings, self build, organic growing and alternative sewage systems. You arrive on the site by having a ride on a fantastic water-balanced cliff railway. The site is famous for its beautiful and atmospheric ambience, a haven of biodiversity and peace surrounded by fields supporting only sheep and forests supporting only one or two tree varieties, but with magnificent mountain vistas.
Outstanding Natural Beauty
Heather moorland, woodland, meadows, rocky streams and a large reservoir attract a wide variety of wildlife to this reserve set at the southern end of the Berwyn mountains. Dippers and kingfishers nest by the lake and rocky streams, while ravens and buzzards can be found on the moorland. Lake Vyrnwy is popular with both birdwatchers and families alike as it offers a full range of facilities, including a shop, nature trails and birdwatching hides. Visitors can drive around the reservoir by car.
One of the seven wonders of Wales! Referred to by those who know her as the 'Hidden Pearl of Wales'. The bewitching magnificence and beauty of her presence, quickly subdues the most active mind, instilling a sense of awe and peace seldom found in today's modern world; allowing, occasionally, a connection and deep seated remembrance of self to be reflected and experienced.
