| Gt escapes: Pembrokeshire 2 |
| Fine fortress |
| If you have a passion for castles, Pembrokeshire won't let you down. The following tour takes in four, each with its own particular charm |
Pembrokeshire certainly has its fair share of castles. We spent a day visiting four of them
– all ruins but all now very well maintained by various preservation organisations. These have strategically sited information boards to ensure that the visitor can visualise how the castles functioned when they were first built. Most o f these castles are signposted from the main roads by brown-coloured tourist signs, but for some reason we didn't understand, the signpost to Llawhaden was green on a white background.
1. Manobier Castle
Turn right at the exit of Moreton Farm Leisure Park and take the A478 to Tenby. At the double roundabout on the outskirts of the town pick up the A4139 signposted to Pembroke and follow the road for five miles until you come to a sign pointing to the village of Manobier on the left. Manobier is a mile down this road, which is narrow in places, like other roads elsewhere in the county. The entrance to the castle is on the right, at the War Memorial as you enter the village. The car park, however, is about 150 yards further on down a hill. Parking was free when we were there.
The castle is the first we've ever seen to featured a TV aerial on one of its towers (is nothing sacred, or is this a manifestation of modern living?). It was the birthplace of Gerald of Wales, a 12th-century scholar. Costumed models and medieval music add atmosphere as you tour the Great Hall, turrets and chapel. Before you leave, take time to wander around the pleasant, walled gardens. Once back at the car park, it is possible to walk to
the beach, which is only about 200 yards away.
2. Pembroke Castle
After leaving the castle at Manorbier, drive back to the A4139 and turn left to Pembroke about six miles away. On entering the town, you'll again come to a one-way system. Follow this until you arrive at a car park in The Commons Road. Park here, then walk about 100 yards to the tourist information centre and from there, up the hill to Main Street.
When it comes to castles, Pembroke must be one of the most magnificent anywhere in Britain. It stands at the end of the town's Main Street, from whence it dominates the surrounding countryside. Interestingly, it is privately owned.
At the entrance to the castle is the Brass Rubbing Centre (open six days a week, Saturdays excluded, from June to August). Entrance to the castle itself is £3 for adults, £2 for children (under five years old) and senior citizens. Family tickets for two adults plus two children cost £8. Disabled visitors and children under five get in free.
Although much of this castle consists of ruins, there are still many rooms and chambers in use. At the entrance is a short audio-visual presentation which is worth watching for the few minutes it runs to give you an overview of the place. Nearby are rooms with an exhibition of memorabilia of the Pembroke Yeomanry, who saw service 100 years ago in the Boer War. Also open to the public is the room where Lady Margaret Beaufort gave birth to her son, who later became King Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty.
The Wogan is another attraction that shouldn't be missed. Although it is some 50 steps down a steep, winding staircase below the 75ft-high castle keep, this great Stone Age cavern is probably the most impressive thing about the castle. And, it's only when you stand in the cavern that you realise just how vast it is.
The castle keep itself is a tribute to the art of castle-building. A section of its wall has been breached, to let visitors see just how much work went into its construction.
Having spent time inside the castle, we walked the signposted circular route around the outside walls. This is about a mile long and lets you see the castle from every angle – including the place where Turner and other artists stood when they painted it.
3. Carew Castle
From the car park in The Commons Road, turn left. After about 200 yards, turn right up Westgate Hill, along Main Street, before bearing left onto the A4075. Follow along for about two miles to a junction with the A477; turn right. After just over a mile, turn left onto the A4075. After about three-quarters of a mile, pull into the car park serving Carew Castle.
As you approach the castle, you'll pass a Celtic cross that is worth inspecting. The castle itself overlooks a mill pond and tidal mill reached from the car park via an easy, circular walk of about a mile. The castle is of Norman origin but was turned into a country house during the Elizabethan era. The tidal mill is one of only three left in Britain. Unfortunately, when we visited, it was closed for restoration.
4. Llawhaden Castle
From Carew Castle car park, turn left and continue north along the A4075 for about seven miles to the junction with the A40(T). Here, take a left and after about 150 yards turn right onto a minor road signposted
to Llawhaden Castle. The village of Llawhaden is about a mile along the road. As you come to it, bear right to
a car park about 200 yards from the castle.
Many of the castle walls are unfenced, which means plenty of warning notices. Another noticeboard at the car park points out that Llawhaden has the highest concentration of Bronze and Iron Age prehistoric sites in west Wales, dating from 1200-800bc. Not many people know that!
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Distance 40 miles
Time 8 hours
Start/finish Moreton Farm Leisure Park
Suitable for All the family
Refreshments
Kings Arms Hotel, Pembroke
Tel 01646 683611
Tourist Information
Tenby Tel 01834 842404
Email Click here
Pembroke Visitor Centre
The Commons Road, Pembroke
Tel 01646 622388
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