Visited August 2010

Location	Carew, Near Tenby
Entrance Fee	Yes
Railway Station	No
Parking	Yes
Facilities	Toilets, Shop
Map

Review

This is really two trips in one as on this site is the castle, and then a short walk away is the Carew Tidal Mill, one of the few restored tidal mills in Britain, and the only one in Wales. One ticket covering entrance to both can be purchased at the castle ticket booth. There is a large car-park , we had no problem parking at 10am when the castle first opened, but when we came back two hours later the car-park was full and cars were queuing outside waiting for people to leave. Therefore I would advise going early to this castle, it also means that you get to take photos without other people walking into them if you go first thing.

The main thing you notice about Carew (except for the lovely setting on the water) is the size- there is much to explore, round every corner there seems to be another room or a passage way leading to more rooms and passage ways!!! The ruins are in very good condition, so most of the castle is accessible. The second thing we noticed on the day we went was the wind- we were there in August and it was blowing up a gale!!! I don't know if we were just unlucky on that day or if it is a permanently windy spot. I would advise to be prepared for the latter just in case.

There is a children's trail which involves photos of parts of the castle which have to be spotted- it was a success with my crew and whilst trying to spot the things on the trail they noticed other things along the way, so it certainly got them to take in the surroundings!!!

Now for the history bit- Built originally by Norman Lord Gerald de Windsor and his wife the Welsh Queen Nest (she was quite a game gal, but as this is a family site I will leave you to read her history on the official website, address below) The castle as we see it today was mainly due to their descendant Nicholas de Carew who re-built in the late thirteenth/early fourteenth century. The Elizabethan era saw the castle transformed into a more comfortable home by Sir John Perrot, who later died in the Tower of London so did not get to enjoy the benefits of his home improvements. The impressive Tudor windows were down to him. Like many castles it was finally abandoned after the Civil War, and it was not until 1983 that the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority began restoration.

After a good look round the castle remember to take a walk down to the tidal mill, it has been extensively restored and still has all its original machinery inside. The causeway across the river affords some lovely views of the castle, there is a picnic bench on the other side of the river, we ate our packed lunch here, it was pleasantly sheltered from the never-ending wind!!! There is no cafe at the castle or mill, so bring your own food or try somewhere in Carew.  On a final note I should mention that just in front of the castle stands the Carew Cross,  a fine example of an 11th century Celtic cross. Check it out on your way back to the car!

More info:  Carew Castle