Discover Myddleton Family History
at St Mary`s Church Chirk

The 14th century Chirk Castle has been home to the Myddelton family since 1595. Easily recognisable by its five intimidating drum towers, its interior comes as a surprise. True, there is a medieval dungeon, but within one of the bastions an 18th century staircase leads to a dining room as light and elegant as spun sugar. There is a Tudor bedroom, a 17th century Long Gallery and a heavily neo-Gothic entrance hall. The gardens and grounds are worth a visit in their own right. The castle and grounds are in the care of the National Trust.

Visible year round are the extraordinary iron “Pretty Gates”. Erected in 1721 by the Davies Brothers of Bersham, the gates are topped by the Myddelton “bloody hand”.

One theory as to the origin of this gruesome heraldic symbol is that, in order to settle a dispute over the inheritance of Chirk, two claimants agreed to race to the castle gates. A supporter of the slower of the two slashed off the hand of the faster as he reached out to touch the gate.