At the point where the river Ceiriog meets the River Dee, the border town of Chirk and its Medieval Castle stand at the entrance to the picturesque Ceiriog Valley.

Chirk is a veritable playground for historians, who can enjoy not only a castle dating back to the early 12th Century, but also a Grade I listed parish church and a gargantuan, 200-year old aqueduct.

The community in Chirk was formerly a coal-mining one but, since the closure of the mines, modern businesses have made Chirk their home and tourism is also strong in the area. Country cottages in Chirk are plentiful in the town and the surrounding area, providing tourists with a base from which to explore the castle and its fortress as well as the nearby Berwyn Mountains.

Cyclists and walkers alike come to Chirk to enjoy the varied paths and lanes that wind their way around the Ceiriog Valley, with the more hardy heading for the rocky slopes and mountain summits that offer as much climbing as anyone could wish for.

Back in the town itself, the castle is the central attraction and since being taken over by the National Trust it has its own shop and licenced tea room. The looming prospect of the aqueduct is also a great photo opportunity, standing at 70 feet high with 10 arches.