Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales

30th March 2015



1093 - a timber castle was originally present on the site of the current castle from this time
1204 - stone castle built by William Marshal
Castle remained in the Marshal family for several years
1247 - 1454 - castle owned by several families - de Valence, Hastings and Tudor
1457 - Margaret Beaufort gives birth to the future Henry VII at the castle
1648 - Civil War - castle involved in Oliver Cromwell's seige of Pembroke

We recommend exploring the castle in an anti-clockwise direction. Starting at the Barbican Tower, passing through Northgate Tower, St Anne’s Bastion, Great Tower (in which there are 98 steps to the top!), the Inner Ward, Wogan, Chapel, Monkton Tower, Westgate Tower, Henry VII Tower and ending in the Gatehouse where there is very in-depth exhibitions.
This is a very beautiful castle and definitely one of our favourites. There is so much to see and can be viewed in all weathers. Although lots of stairs in the towers the views of the town and river are very atmospheric and you can easily picture yourself back in the medieval/Tudor times living in the castle with the surrounding town below you. Information boards are scattered around and are very informative. We would recommend a guided tour as the guides are very knowledge and interesting. The Wogan cave which is built into the castle/rock is amazing to see and much of the castles still has original features – with the additional wax model here and there it is very atmospheric. In the courtyard of the castle there is a huge map of the castles of Wales – which is best viewed from the gatehouse/any of the towers for a birdseye view.

Privately owned so there is an entrance fee
Car park next to the castle before the bridge which is pay and display but other car parks are also nearby
Shop, cafe and toilets
Guide books are available
Dogs on leads are welcome

N & K

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