Hotels near the Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle's location, on a ridge, surrounded on three sides by the tidal River Cleddau, once made it a mighty stronghold. It still looms impressively over the town and is a fascinating place to visit.

The first Norman settlement in Pembroke was established in 1093, when Roger de Montgomery ordered the construction of a wooden fortress on the rocky peninsula where the stone castle now stands. This developed in the following years and was largely the work of William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, who held the fortress until his death in 1219. It was then extended and improved upon by all the succeeding Earls of Pembroke, soon becoming connected with royalty.

The castle continued to be connected with national politics through Henry VII and Anne Boleyn, who became Marchioness of Pembroke. When Cromwell attacked the town in 1648 the sturdy walls allowed the inhabitants to withstand attack for some time. When surrender did eventually come, some parts of the walls were demolished and the castle never really recovered.

Pembroke is one of the greatest pre-Edwardian castles in Britain and although damaged, the Keep is one of the finest examples of its kind. Other highlights are The Great Gatehouse, the domestic and public buildings, the Norman Hall and The Wogan - a natural cave over which the castle is built with a spiral staircase descending to the sea.