This April & Spring 2025
Explore Pembrokeshire: Castles
If you are staying at Noble Court, you may have noticed that our caravans are named after some of Pembrokeshire’s historic castles. In this article we’re going to give you a bit more information about them, as well as some upcoming activities and events they're holding this Spring and Easter half term 2025! Did we mention they're all dog friendly too?
Carew Castle & Tidal Mill
Welsh name: Castell Caeriw
Carew Castle is a large fortification next to a scenic mill pond, with a history spanning from the Normans to the Civil War!
History: Originally a wood and earth building, it was turned into a stone keep by Gerald de Windsor in the 11th century, then expanded upon by Nicholas de Carew in the 13th century, a lot of which can still be seen today, with further improvements and expansions by Sir Rhys ap Thomas in the 15th century. It was then turned from a Medieval fortress to an Elizabethan manor by Sir John Perrot in the 16th century, which he sadly never got to enjoy as he died in the Tower of London, possibly of poisoning… After returning to the Carew family, it was refortified during the Civil War, and after changing hands three further times, was unfortunately abandoned and left to ruin in the late 17th century.
Events: Over the month of April, you can join in the fun with gory stories with Horrid Histories, Find the Keys challenge, guided castle tours, Fire! Launch of the Giant Trebuchet, Bunny’s Big Egg Hunt (additional £2pp), and an interactive fantasy adventure with The Storymaster’s Quests: Castle of Adventure (additional £6pp), among others.
Price: £8.50 Adult | £6.50 Child | Dogs welcome
Dates: Open every day
Times: Castle 10am-4:30pm | Tidal Mill 11am-5pm
Location: Carew Castle, Carew SA70 8SL
Link: https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/attraction-listing/carew-castle-tidal-mill
Stay in the Carew at Noble Court: https://www.celticholidayparks.com/noble-court/carew/
Picton Castle Gardens
Welsh name: Castell Pictwn
Picton Castle is a Grade I listed Medieval castle, later converted into a Georgian stately home with a Grade II listed walled garden!
History: Originally a motte and bailey structure, it was rebuilt in stone by Sir John de Wogan in the 13th century and has been home to his heirs up until 1987 with the creation of the Picton Castle Trust. It was seized by the French in support of Owain Glyndŵr in the early 15th century and by Parliamentary forces during the Civil War in the 17th century. Male heirs to the Wogan line died out in the 15th century and the estate was passed to a daughter, Joan Dwnn. She married Sir John Philipps who went on to renovate the stronghold, which was then further remodelled by the Philipps family into a Georgian stately home (that you can still tour) in the late 18th century.
Events: From the 18th to 21st of April, you can join the Easter Egg Hunt and get involved with Easter crafts with the chance to win a large Easter egg. There are also lots of things available to do every day (not just through Spring) including guided tours, burning off energy in the Adventure Playground with Jungle Board Walk, searching for multiple Geocaches, and Nature Walks in the Peep-In Woods where you can collect stone rubbings and learn about local wildlife.
Price: (valid for 7 days) £14.50 Adult | £7 Child | Under 5s FREE | Dogs welcome in gardens
Dates: Open every day
Times: Gardens 10am-5pm | Castle 1:30-3:30pm
Location: Picton Castle, The Rhos SA62 4AS
Link: https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/attraction-listing/picton-castle-woodland-gardens
Stay in the Picton at Noble Court: https://www.celticholidayparks.com/noble-court/picton/
Pembroke Castle
Welsh name: Castell Penfro
Pembroke Castle is a formidable Grade I listed Medieval castle in the centre of Pembroke town overlooking the mill pond, and the birthplace of Henry VII!
History: The first castle was motte and bailey, built in the 11th century by Roger de Montgomerie, but the area has been occupied since Roman times. It was turned into an imposing stone castle with huge domed round keep by Lord William Marshal in the 12th century, with further expansions by the de Valence family in the 13th century including the discovery and fortification of a large limestone cave beneath the castle known as Wogan Cavern (where woolly mammoth bones have been found), and construction of defensive walls around Pembroke town. The castle changed hands to Jasper Tudor, half brother of Henry VI, in the 15th century, where after inviting his widowed sister in law to stay, became the birthplace of Henry VII. It suffered attacks during the Civil War, and endured a seven week siege at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during the Second Civil War who ordered the castle to be destroyed. Instead, it was abandoned until a small restoration project in the late 19th century, followed by sweeping restorations by Major General Sir Ivor Philipps in the early 20th century.
Events: On select days over the month of April (and longer), you can learn sword skills from Knight School, travel through hilarious history with Keepers of the Castle, witness glorious birds of prey in flight with Black Mountains Falconry, and have hands on fun with all things weaponry with Siege the Day.
Price: £10 Adult | £7 Child | Under 3s FREE | Dogs welcome
Dates: Open every day
Times: 9:30am-5:30pm
Location: Pembroke Castle, Pembroke SA71 4LA
Link: https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/attraction-listing/pembroke-castle
Stay in the Pembroke at Noble Court: https://www.celticholidayparks.com/noble-court/pembroke-2-3/
Manorbier Castle
Welsh name: Castell Maenorbŷr
Manorbier Castle is an imposing Norman ruin atop the cliffs overlooking the beach, and where the 12th century scholar Gerald of Wales was born!
History: It started out as a motte and bailey castle built by Norman knight Odo de Barri in the 11th century, and fortified with local limestone by William de Barri in the early 12th century. His fourth and youngest son was Gerald of Wales, a great 12th century scholar. He wrote “In all the broad lands of Wales, Manorbier is the most pleasant by far.” It had a largely peaceful existence other than two small attacks, one in the 14th century by Richard de Barri in a dispute over family succession, and 300 years later during the Civil War. It was sadly left to decay during the 17th and 18th centuries but was partially restored in the late 19th century by J. R. Cobb.
Price: £6.50 Adult | £4.50 Child | Dogs welcome
Dates: Open every day except Saturdays
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: Manorbier Castle, Tenby SA70 7SY
Link: https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/attraction-listing/manorbier-castle
Stay in the Manorbier at Noble Court: https://www.celticholidayparks.com/noble-court/manorbier/
Llawhaden Castle
Welsh name: Castell Llanhuadain
A short drive from Narberth (home of Noble Court) you can find the historic ruins of Llawhaden castle perched on a hill above the River Cleddau!
History: The first Norman bishop, Bernard, built a motte and bailey castle on the site in the early 12th century, with the current pentagonal structure being commissioned by Bishop Adam de Houghton and built by bishops in the 14th century. Expansion continued into the 16th century, but after the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the castle was deserted and left to decay. In its prime it had dry moat and was only accessible via drawbridge.
Price: FREE | Dogs welcome
Dates: Open now
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: Llawhaden Castle, Llawhaden SA67 8HL
Link: https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/attraction-listing/llawhaden-castle
Stay at Noble Court: https://www.celticholidayparks.com/noble-court/accommodation/
Thinking about a holiday in beautiful Pembrokeshire, Wales?
Find dog friendly accommodation at Celtic Holiday Parks: https://www.celticholidayparks.com/dog-friendly-holidays/
Photos © Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales
