Monuments to visit Pembrokeshire

Built on the foundations of a 13th century fortified house, this Edwardian castle with its four round towers and imposing battlements, built by Sir John Wogan, was occupied by the same family for over 700 years. Picton Castle is one of the most important historic houses in Wales. It is surrounded by sixteen hectares of magnificent wooded and flowered gardens with a beautiful collection of rhododendrons. For information, the castle can only be visited by guided tours. Possibility to visit the gardens (for a fee) every day, all year round.

To the north of the village, a 13th century medieval castle - now private property - built by the de Vale family, the descendants of a knight who had accompanied Martin de Tours, the invader from North Pembrokeshire. This castle was one of Henri Tudor's first captures with 4,000 men and 55 ships. Then Henri Tudor will head east, crossing Wales towards England. From there, on August 22nd, he defeated Richard III of England before being crowned king and becoming Henry VII.

In those days, it was said that two trips to St David's were worth one pilgrimage to Rome. Thousands of people came here, making St David's a major pilgrimage center in the country. The Bishop of Gower's architectural ambitions were high, making the complex a model of medieval refinement. Between 1328 and 1347, he transformed this former building for servants and animals into an immense palace. Built behind the cathedral between the ^13th and ^14th centuries, this imposing palace was once reserved for the nobility and clergy. It bears witness to the importance of this stopover on the road to Compostela. Now in ruins, it remains no less impressive. The palace is built around a central garden. The east wing was devoted to the bishop's private quarters, with his bedroom, small reception room and kitchens at the far end, linking the apartments with the south wing, which was more devoted to public reception areas. The room adjoining the hall was probably used to accommodate important visitors to St. David's. The west wing was probably used as a dormitory for less important visitors. Numerous architectural details come to light during the visit, testifying to the building's former splendor: finely ornamented windows and arches, corbels sculpted in the shape of faces or animals, arcade decoration... Today in ruins, it remains an impressive monument.

North of Lamphey, (Llandyfái in Welsh); you can visit the ruins of Bishop's Palace (Lamphey Palace), dating from the 13th century, which was used as a second residence by the bishops of St. David's. Ruins with the appearance of a crypt, lost in the green moss and mist.... which testify to the opulence in which these holy men lived. It is a very beautiful visit, both for the ruins and for the environment in which they are located, which offers a very special atmosphere. And in addition, admission is free.

The castle tour is well organized and includes an explanatory brochure. This is one of the strangest and most fascinating castles in the south of the country. Built between 1280 and 1310, it was considerably enlarged in the ^15th century, as evidenced by its Tudor-style windows. The cashier at the entrance is sure to tell you about the many visitors who have seen the ghosts of Sir Roland Rhys, one of the castle's tenants, and his monkey, come to haunt the northwest tower where they lived.

It is one of the castles built by the Normans in the south of the country. The fortification built on the top of a hill was naturally protected by water. This impregnable fortress never fell under Welsh control and so Pembroke won the title of capital of Little England beyond Wales. Today, the castle still has an impressive atmosphere. The towers are intact - especially the one where Henry VII was born in 1457 - and we pass from large rooms, to oak beams, to dark and biscornus corridors..

A majestic, well-preserved fortified castle built around 1140 in the purest Norman style, its ruins overlooking the bay will transport even the most unimaginative into the realm of cloak-and-dagger fiction. For several centuries, it was the property of the Anglo-Norman de Barri family, and is now often used as a film set. Beautiful gardens surround the château, and make a fine picnic spot. Please note, however, that it is closed for private events (calendar on website).