Download - Wrexham County Borough Council

chirk castle
Next time you’re clipping your privet, spare a
thought for David Lock, head gardener of the
National Trust’s Chirk Castle.
The yew hedges at Chirk are so enormous it
takes a team of three men about eight weeks
to give them a short back and sides. Two on
the ground. And another high up in a cherry
picker.
All wielding electric trimmers. And generating
three tonnes of clippings. Imagine getting
that lot in your green wheelie bin.
It’s all worth it. The gardens at Chirk were
once voted the best in the National Trust.
Where you can walk a stunning avenue of
17th century lime trees. And command views
over nine counties.
You can even pick up a few gardening tips.
David Lock runs a regular question and answer
session for the less than green-fingered . And
gives a talk called “Chirk and Yew”. Great
gardener, terrible puns.
The castle itself is a Marcher fortress dating
from 1310. But this is no ruin. In fact, it’s been
lived in for the last 700 years. The grand 18th
century state apartments are crammed with
elaborate plasterwork, Adam-style furniture,
tapestries and portraits.
And the tea room does, we are reliably
assured, a terrific home-made bara brith. And
perhaps a bowl of something warming if
you’ve spent all day hedge trimming.
01691 777701
Chirk Castle
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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