Chirk an aqueduct, castle and what else?

Thursday, 15 April 2010 19:08

It is worth stopping at Chirk for a while

Chirk, on the Llangollen Canal is justly famous for its aqueduct over the River Ceiriog, with the railway viaduct running above and alongside. But is there anything more to see in this North Welsh border town?

Chirk aqueduct and viaduct

Then there is the tunnel - the path to the town runs up beside the south portal from the towpath.

There is also a path up from the north portal which leads to the station. When visiting Chirk the nicest place to moor is south of the tunnel on Chirk Bank, either before or after Monks Bridge.

Monks Bridge (21W) from west

It looks narrow, but there is room for a narrowboat to pass - just make sure you are well secured or "sprung" on the rings as, per usual, not all narrowboats slow down for other moored boats. Why are the owners of private boats amongst  the worst culprits?

A walk into the town of Chirk on a nice sunny day, watching the narrowboats negotiate the aqueduct and passing the time of day with other walkers, is a very pleasant way to explore!

From the path by the tunnel it is about 5 minutes into the town centre. The  road names are in English and Welsh as are all the signs and noticeboards. Trevor Road is by the Church of St Mary.

                                                        Road sign and Parish Church

The church is interesting and has memorials to the two local families, the Myddeltons of Chirk Castle and the Trevors of Brynkinalt Hall. There are photos of the interior of St Mary's Church here - clickety click.

On the opposite corner is a fine Georgian House, named The Mount. In its garden is a Motte, Castell Y Waun, around which the town of Chirk developed.

The Mount

The shops in Chirk include a supermarket, chemist and paper shop, and I counted three hairdressers! Some of the shops are in old cottages, typical of the local tradition.

Cottage shops

Towards the north end of the town, beyond the Hand Hotel and opposite the playing fields (created with money from Cadbury Schweppes) is Hand Terrace. These are estate cottages and retain their original character.

Hand Terrace

Beyond these are two more old buildings. The first, once the school, is now a furniture warehouse and the second is the home of the Town Council.

Turning into Station Avenue, which is opposite the Hand Hotel, leads to the station and the road over Chirk Tunnel. To be continued ......