Hand Hotel, Chirk

One of the largest and oldest commercial buildings in the ancient village of Chirk in north east Wales.  Parts of the hotel dates back to the 16^th century and it is possible the original site of the inn may have been the Great Hall which was destroyed in Owain Glyndŵr’s rebellion in the early 15^th century.

From 1742 to 1753 the tenancy of the inn became under Jane Taylor and became known as the Hand.  By this time the Hand was becoming a prominence as a coaching inn with the developments of the road systems during this time from London to Holyhead along the A55 road.

Thomas Johnson held the tenancy from the late 18^th century to the 1840s and during this period the inn became known as the Chirk Castle Arms Inn partially to differentiate it from the Hand Hotel in Llangollen.  By the time Elias Griffith became the tenant in 1856 the name had been changed back to the Hand Hotel

The popular sport of cock fighting took part nearby before it was banned under the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835