Places to visit

Pembroke Castle - Castell Penfro

Pembroke Castle by Samuel Henry William Llewellyn (1858–1941) image courtesy of Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

Pembroke Castle (Welsh: Castell Penfro) is located in the centre of Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales (Welsh: Penfro, Sir Benfro, Cymru). The building of a Norman castle on this site began at the end of the eleventh century, but the development of the site in today's recognisable form took place in the thirteenth century. There had been substantial restoration work undertaken in the twentieth century and the castle is recognised as one of the best preserved medieval castles in Wales. It was the birthplace of King Henry VII (Welsh: Harri Tudur; 28 January 1457 – 21 April 1509) who was the father of  King Henry VIII.

Carew Castle - Castell Caeriw

Carew Castle image © Copyright Helge Klaus Rieder and released into the public domain

Carew Castle (Welsh: Castell Caeriw) is built on the site of an older Iron Age Fort.  This eleventh century Norman motte and bailey castle was further developed in the thirteenth century. From that period three towers and the chapel remain, however, further additions that are very noticeable today were made in the Tudor period. Near the entrance is the eleventh century Carew Cross. The castle stands by the Carew river on the A4075 four miles east of Pembroke (Welsh: Penfro).

Llawhaden Castle - Castell Llanhuadain

Llawhaden Castle image © Copyright Helge Klaus Rieder and released into the public domain

Llawhaden Castle - Castell Llanhuadain is on the site of one built about 1115 off which only the moat and earth bank remain. The remains seen today are from the fourteenth century and the gatehouse is particularly impressive. The site is located off the A4075 in the village of Llawhaden, Pembrokeshire, Wales  (Welsh: Llanhuadain, Sir Benfro, Cymru) about 10 miles east of Haverfordwest (Welsh: Hwlffordd) and about three miles east of the village of Wiston (Welsh: Cas-Wis) .

Wiston Castle - Castell Cas-wis

View from the bottom of the Motte at Wiston Castle image © Copyright Xyphoid licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

Wiston Castle - Castell Cas-wis was built in the early twelfth century and swopped hands between the English and Welsh in the twelfth and thirteenth century prior to it being abandoned. The remains of a motte and stone shell keep can be seen and is situated off the A40 about five miles northeast of Haverfordwest (Welsh: Hwlffordd) and three miles west of Llawhaden, Pembrokeshire, Wales (Welsh: Llanhuadain, Sir Benfro, Cymru).

Picton Castle - Castell Pictwn

Picton Castle 1866 image courtesy of Brirtish Library.

Picton Castle - Castell Pictwn. Although the original building on this site was a thirteenth century fortified house there has been substantial redevelopment to bring about the early nineteenth and later mansion house that exits today. The house is noted for it's gardens and is located at Picton off the A487 road about three and half miles southeast of Haverfordwest (Welsh: Hwlffordd, Sir Benfro, Cymru).

Haverfordwest Castle - Castell Hwlffordd

Haverford West Castle 1794 image courtesy of National Library of Wales.

Haverfordwest Castle - Castell Hwlffordd dates back to the twelfth century and fell into English hands, where it remained despite being under siege on a number of occasions. The castle is on the top of a hill overlooking the town and has the remains of two round towers, hall, chapel and dungeon. Haverfordwest is on the A40 and A4076 and the castle is in the town above the River Cleddau.

Skomer Island - Ynys Sgomer

Skomer Island image courtesy of Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Skomer Island (Welsh: Ynys Sgomer) is a nature reserve and is just off the Pembrokeshire Coast at Martin's Haven. As well as an abundance of wildlife the island is rich in Iron Age hut remains. Signs of settlement are all over the island with round and rectangular hut remains, field systems and wall boundaries believed to date back to the first century BC. The island can be reached by taking the B4327 southwest from Haverfordwest branching off to Marloes towards Martin's Haven where boats leave during the summer months.

Camrose Castle - Castell Camros

This is a small motte and bailey castle of early Norman period and then later rebuilt and fortified in stone. It is said that William the Conqueror once stayed here overnight when on pilgrimage to St David's Cathedral. Subsequent landscaping has been undertaken but remains of the bailey wall are visible. The site if off the B4330 north west of Haverfordwest.

Caerau - Caeriw Promontory Forts

Northwest of Haverford West/Hwlffordd take the A487 to St David's/Tyddewi and then continue on the A487 towards Fishguard from St David's, turning left on the B4583 and then heading toward Abereiddy. Keep your eyes open for the left turn to Caerhys and Llanvirn to get to a car park. The coastal path westward takes you through the site of these two promontory forts. The ditches and banks are clearly visible one of which joins the two forts.

Dyffryn Syfynwy

A stone circle made up of eighteen stones varying in height up to seven feet and surrounding a cairn. This site if off the B4329 at Henrys Moat southeast of Fishguard between Haverfordwest and Rosebush.

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