Chirk Castle. (15 mins). Chirk Castle is very much a Norman border fortress castle, with dungeons, suits of armour and towers. The gardens are beautiful, especially in spring but always a pleasure to visit. Improvement work is always being carried out to open up more areas for visitors to explore.
Erddig House (20 mins) This is a splendid house which was neglected from approx 1900-1970 and therefore escaped modernisation, so it retains many sculleries, kitchens and pantries, all of which are on view as well as the main rooms and the servants sleeping quarters. The gardens have been restored and they have now matured into an attraction in their own right.
Powis Castle (30 mins). A fairy-tale, red sandstone castle with magnificent gardens and The Clive Museum inside. The gardens are always colourful and packed with flowering plants at the peak of perfection. Prince Charles is usually in residence as “Prince of Wales” during the last week in July. Powis is a busy place, but the gardens are large so there is plenty of space for everyone.
Bodnant Gardens (1.25hrs). Near Llandudno on the North Wales coast, so a bit further away, but well worth visiting as National Trust members regularly vote them as “their favourite gardens”. Jointly run by the National Trust and the R.H.S, there are many outstanding collections of plants, notably Camellias, Magnolias, Rhododendrons, and Azaleas. A large plant sales area provides an opportunity to buy some unusual plants.
Attingham Park (30 mins) An elegant 18th-century mansion near Shrewsbury, with Regency interiors and a deer park. Lots of paintings, silver and furniture collections, and a really interesting traditional walled kitchen garden. Dogs are welcome at Attingham, as there are extensive walks through the grounds
