Visited August 2010

Location	Manorbier, Pembrokeshire
Entrance Fee	Yes - check website
Railway Station	Manorbier Station approx 3/4 mile
Parking	Yes - beach car park subject to a fee
Facilities	Toilets, Shop, Tea Rooms
Map

Review

I thought I would start the review with a picture, as this is such a photogenic castle!!!

We were very pleased to arrive in one piece after Sat-Nav directed us through some eye-wateringly narrow lanes (there is a perfectly good main road, do not be tempted to believe it if your Sat-Nav advises the country lanes are quicker!) There is a beach car park in Manorbier, just minutes from the Castle, but we got lost in the one way system in the town and so ended up finding a space by the side of the road.

So all in all we were delighted to go through the gates leading to the castle and be greeted by the above view. Manorbier Castle is very pretty, the ruins itself are picturesque but they have been planted with some beautiful gardens, together with the coastal setting it all combines to the most marvellous effect!

There is plenty to see here, mainly thanks to an attentive 19th Century tenant who restored much of the castle. However, it was the original builders of the castle, the Norman  de Barri family who provided the most famous resident- Gerald de Barri. Also known as Gerald of Wales,  he was a Welsh chronicler and priest, who recorded many details of medieval life in Wales. Gerald was born at this castle and declared it 'the pleasantest spot in Wales' . I find it hard to disagree with his logic. There are various wax figures dotted around the castle, including one of Gerald himself. These help to show how the castle was used by its former inhabitants, but for some reason one of my children was scared silly by them!

There is a tea shop on site with plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy your refreshments- there is a gazebo for those showery moments!!  The tea shop also sells souvenirs and indeed takes your entrance fee on arrival. If you really fall for this place there is a holiday cottage set within the grounds for the option of a longer stay. After your visit try and squeeze in a walk down to the beach- it  is a decent sized sandy beach, popular with families and surfers alike, but it also affords a good view of the back of the castle.

More info:  Manorbier Castle