Erdigg House or Erdsig Hall is a National Trust property located two miles south of Wrexham. This Grade I-listed country house has well-manicured gardens and a 1200-acre estate. Owned by the Yorke family for 240 years, each successive owner was named either Philip or Simon, concluding with Philip Yorke III, who handed over the estate to the National Trust in 1973. Read our guide about the things to see at Erddig House and Gardens.
Travel Essentials – Erddig House National Trust
Getting to Erddig House
Preferred mode of transport: Car.
Nearest railway station: Wrexham Central 4km (2.5 mile).
Entry: £9 (non-members). Free for National Trust members.
Parking onsite: Free for National Trust members, 200m from the main entrance.
Notes: Follow the brown signs to estate. Sat Navs are not accurate.
Quick facts about Erddig House (Erddig Hall)
- Voted as Britain’s second finest stately home.
- Pruning of the pleached limes involves 65,000 pruning cuts, about 10 weeks of work for one gardener.
- Nearly 30,000 items in the Erddig collection – the second largest in the National Trust.
- Five metal ceilings installed at Erddig House help stop the spread of fire.
- Over 300 examples of historic wallpaper – one of the largest collections in the country.
Erddig House National Trust
- Erddig House
- Erddig Gardens
- Erddig Walks
- Erddig Wolf’s Den
1. Erddig House
The Erddig estate comprises the house built between 1684–1689, displaying the Yorke family’s most prized possessions. As they handed down items through seven generations and hardly threw anything away, the number of collected items reached 30,000. From the outside, the house sits majestically in pristine gardens. At the edge of the walled garden is the clock, somewhat unusual in its location.
Clock at the front of Erddig House, Erdigg, Near Wrexham, Wales
The interior comprises the state rooms, containing exquisite furniture, wallpapers and textiles. Well-preserved servants’ rooms reflect the close relationship between the Yorke family and the servants. In addition, there is laundry, bakehouse, sawmill, and smithy, showcasing how 18th-century servants lived and worked.
Inside the smithy, Erddig House, Near Wrexham, Wales
2. Erddig Gardens
The Grade I-listed fully restored walled garden is one of Britain’s most important surviving 18th-century gardens., containing fruit trees, a canal, a pond, and a Victorian-era parterre.
The Victorian parterre at Erddig House, Near Wrexham, Wales
Renowned English landscape gardener William Emes designed the landscaped pleasure park.
The gardens at Erddig House, Near Wrexham, Wales
3. Erddig Walks
Exploring the Erddig estate is best done via one of four walks which start and finish at Dovecote.
- Big Wood | Motte and Bailey – 1.6 km (1 mile) – 30 minutes.
- Puleston Mill – 2.4 km (1.5 mile) – 60 minutes.
- Lewis Wood | Cabin Hill Wood – 4.8 km (3 mile) – 90 minutes.
- Forest Wood | Forest Meadow – 5.6 km (3.5 mile) – 120 minutes.
Along the walled garden at Erddig House, Near Wrexham, Wales
Whilst exploring, look out for the Cup & Saucer, built to prevent erosion by lowering the brook with the nearby hydraulic ram pumping water to the house. The Puleston Mill, now just a solitary cottage after being part of a bustling community 80 years ago.
Small lake at Erddig House, Near Wrexham, Wales
4. Erddig Wolf’s Den
This natural play area is great for children. They can hop, skip and jump over in the Wolf’s Den, or even balance on beams. Launched in 2013, the area encourages a connection with nature, and is conducive to spending time outdoors.
The Wolfs Den at Erddig House, Near Wrexham, Wales
Places to visit near Erddig House
Nearby National Trust properties include Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Chirsk Castle, both within a 30-minute drive. Also in the vicinity is Chirk Aqueduct, briefly, the tallest navigable one ever built, although not grandiose like Pontcysyllte.
Slightly further away is Speke Hall Gardens and Estate, a rare Tudor house on the outskirts of Liverpool. These attractions can be visited in a day or as part of an extended trip.
The verdict
National Trust properties always provide value for money with many things to do for families and individuals. Maintained and supported by a volunteer network, these properties, often bequeathed to the Trust from wealthy families, provide a historical insight into life at the time.
Erddig House is no different, very much lived-in and a family home for a quarter of millennia. It recounts the stories of the Yorke family and servants who resided here. The gardens provide ample opportunity to enjoy the surroundings or enjoy a picnic when the weather allows.
Know ye who enter at this gate,
to wander through this fair estate
the owner of this ancient hall
a kindly welcome bids to all
Philip Yorke – 1902
Cabin Bags Only rating: 7.5/10
More information Erddig House
Read about our other National Trust visits.