Manorbier Castle
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Photo: Ainslie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Martin Talbot, CC BY 2.0 · Manfred Heyde, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Private (Naper family)
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Manorbier, 1.0 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Open daily Mar-Sep; closes for weddings; castle house sleeps guests
Pinpoint
Manorbier, Tenby SA70 7SY
Telephone 01834 870081
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
A privately owned castle, still in the hands of the Naper family, with a homely feel reviewers say is unusual for a site this old - the central bailey has been planted as a garden rather than left bare. It's open daily March to September (it closes for weddings, which it also hosts), and part of the castle can be booked as a place to actually stay the night.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The planted-up bailey at the centre - reviewers consistently mention how it softens what could be a stark ruin into somewhere that feels lived-in.
Before you go
Steps are steep, slippery and the passages tight in places, so budget two to three hours and take care in wet weather; dogs are welcome but have to stay on the ground floor.
What visitors say
Manorbier Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 1,417 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently rate Manorbier Castle as an attractive, well-preserved ruin that's good value despite the paid entry, and several mention the walled garden as an added bonus alongside the castle itself.
A couple note the steps up the towers are steep and can be slippery, and dogs must stay on the ground floor, but the on-site coffee shop also gets specific praise from more than one visitor.
Several reviewers mention coming across it unexpectedly and being glad they stopped.
“Well preserved castle ruins. Not NT or EH so you will have to pay entrance fee but definitely worth visiting. If you go with your dog they will have to stay downstairs. Steps up the towers are very steep and slippery…”- Gr3at White, visitor review
Getting in - what Private (Naper family) says
Access statement available as PDF; limited disabled parking at castle (advance notice recommended).
Taken from Private (Naper family)’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Weddings at Manorbier Castle
Manorbier Castle is on our wedding roll because a visitor described a wedding here in their own review. Visit their site.
“…value, quirky castle. Was being set up for a wedding when we were there, which actually was just something else…”- visitor review
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in Wales, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Odo de Barri · late 11th century
Founded in the late 11th century by Anglo-Norman Odo de Barri, the castle passed through the de Barry family before Gerald of Wales, the celebrated 12th-century scholar, was born there in 1146. During the English Civil War, it was seized and slighted by Parliamentarian forces in 1645. Partial restoration in 1880 by tenant J.R. Cobb began its preservation.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- How long to allow
- “You can spend 2 to 3 hours here.” - Jonathan Collins
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Typical castle with tight steep steps up the towers, but very manageable with great views.” - Adam Preece
Common questions about Manorbier Castle
Where is Manorbier Castle?
Manorbier Castle is in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at Manorbier, Tenby SA70 7SY.
Do you need a ticket to visit Manorbier Castle?
Yes - Manorbier Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Private (Naper family). Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Manorbier Castle?
Yes - Manorbier Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Manorbier Castle?
The planted-up bailey at the centre - reviewers consistently mention how it softens what could be a stark ruin into somewhere that feels lived-in.
Is Manorbier Castle a ruin or still intact?
Manorbier Castle is a partial ruin - Open daily Mar-Sep; closes for weddings; castle house sleeps guests.
