Haverfordwest Castle
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0 ยท Richard Kelly, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Pembrokeshire County Council
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Haverfordwest, 0.4 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Inner ward free daily; town museum adjacent
Pinpoint
The Castle, Haverfordwest SA61 2EF
The inner ward of the castle stands free to explore in the middle of Haverfordwest, with a town museum built into part of the site telling the wider story. It's a modest survival rather than a grand one, but its position right in the town centre makes it an easy stop.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The town museum built into the castle grounds, which fills in the history the bare walls don't tell on their own.
Before you go
The inner ward is free and open daily, so it's worth combining with a wider look around Haverfordwest rather than treating it as a standalone trip.
History
Gilbert de Clare · 1120
An Iron Age hill fort site later rebuilt by the Normans. A Norman stone keep and bailey fortress was founded in 1120 by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke. By 1200 timber defences had been replaced with stone, including a rectangular keep. William Marshal undertook major reconstruction in stone during the 1210s. Queen Eleanor of Castile acquired and substantially rebuilt the castle in 1290 at great expense, completing the transformation to stone. In the English Civil War it was held by Royalists then parliamentarians; Oliver Cromwell ordered its destruction in July 1648.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Common questions about Haverfordwest Castle
Where is Haverfordwest Castle?
Haverfordwest Castle is in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at The Castle, Haverfordwest SA61 2EF.
Is Haverfordwest Castle free to visit?
Yes - Haverfordwest Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Pembrokeshire County Council. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Haverfordwest Castle?
The town museum built into the castle grounds, which fills in the history the bare walls don't tell on their own.
Is Haverfordwest Castle a ruin or still intact?
Haverfordwest Castle is a ruin - Inner ward free daily; town museum adjacent.
