Big library with just as big a reference section and two banks of PCs for public use. You have to…read morehave a library card but this is free and so is accessing the PCs. Just need some ID to get the card. A great resource in a good central location. Also has a cafe :)

This is an excellent library. Obviously it has an enormous selection of books, but also they hold…read moreexhibitions which are very interesting. Usually art exhibitions. They also have some computer terminals upstairs you can book time on. Also they hold microfiche for family history researchers. You book your time on a fiche reader and there are desks provided for you to use. They hold parish records and census records. There is also a cafe as part of the complex which is really good. The food is excellent and a lot of it is home made. They also do homemade desserts - like lemon meringue pie - to die for! Their salads are also brilliant - I've never seen so much food in a salad - not much good if you're on a diet!

History, gardens, luxury - there's something captivating here for every interest. Chirik Castle is…read morea quintessential medieval castle that makes one's imagination take flight. Beautifully maintained, this is now privately owned, but was once owned by King Edward I. It has served as a military outpost and private residence. Enter through the port illusion and step back in time. When you enter the castle, you're able to walk freely amongst the luxurious living spaces as well as the soldiers's areas, dungeon, communal servants' area, and courtyard. Docents are throughout and we found them knowledgeable and engaging. Mind that you'll hang your backpacks/bags under the watchful eye of a docent. The grounds are immaculate! Pathways leading through grassy, open spaces and tree-lined shade, bring visitors to an all encompassing view from atop the hill. Beautiful flowers, topiaries, hedges, copses, and manicured beds somehow still maintain an air of natural wildness. Pheasants call from the trees and birdsong fills the air. Sheep dot the surrounding fields. The soldiers' areas provide contrast to the home's comfort. Displays give visitors a sense of what daily living may have looked like. Signs provide insight into individuals and functions of each room. The courtyard features a few tables and refreshments for visitors to relax for a while. There was also an active display about sustainability. Take a peek down into the well here! We had a wonderful day explaining losing the castle and grounds. I'd highly recommend a visit when you're in Wales!

We were on our way north and stopped here for a lunch break and a walk on the castles estate…read more There's a good sized parking lot, even with some spaces providing a bit of shade from the trees. Great for a hot summer day (like it was on our visit). We traveled with our Bulldog, so we just came to enjoy the castle from the outside and to have a walk around the estates parkland. Staff we've met were all very friendly and welcoming. It was built in 1295 as part of Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales. It was later on demolished in the English Civil War, but then rebuilt. Since 1981 it belongs to the National Trust. And it's a beautiful castle. It's really in a fantastic condition and the land and park surrounding it are well taken care of. There are some small trails around the the meadow and castle and some longer trails to enjoy a bit more of the parkland. Some tables and benches in front of the castle to enjoy a picnic with these wonderful views all around. For another time it's surely worth a re-visit to see the gardens and the inside. It's just really a wonderful place to see and to be. We really enjoyed it.