Oak at the Gate of the Dead, Wrexham

Chirk Oak at the Gate of the Dead

Location: Wrexham LL14 5AF

Region: Wales

Grid Ref:

Owner / Manager: Myddleton Estate, Chirk

Access: You can get to the tree from Chirk Castle car park (check with the National Trust for opening times), via a permissive footpath (open March to October).

Thought to date back to the reign of King Egbert in 802, the Great Oak had a 10m girth until 2010, when its trunk split in cold weather. The tree may no longer look as great, but its location, on Offa’s Dyke, at the gateway to the Ceiriog Valley just below Chirk Castle, is very impressive. It was at this site in 1165 that Welsh forces ambushed an invading English army in the Battle of Crogen, and the dead are buried nearby.

The tree was named by ATF member, Rob McBride, in 2006.

Follow the Battle of Crogen circular walk from the National Trust car park.