The Welsh were so unruly in the Middle Ages that the nasty Normans had to build multiple castles in Pembrokeshire to keep them down. Many are just ruins (Castle Hill, Tenby, Narberth Castle, Haverfordwest Castle & Llawhaden) but some are in great condition and well worth a visit.

Pembroke Castle is by far the largest and most spectacular local fortress with towering stone walls and multiple towers, dungeons and a huge underground cavern most of which are accessible. King Henry VII was born here and it was also the 12th century home of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke described as the greatest knight of the Middle Ages. Jousting and historical battles still happen here in the summer.

Manorbier Castle in the beautiful village of Manorbier with its ancient church, a top surfing beach and King’s Quoit megalithic tomb. Manorbier Castle is privately owned but open to the public and is a licensed wedding venue if you ever fancy marriage in medieval style. You need to be quite agile to climb up the spiral staircases inside the towers but the pretty gardens inside the main courtyard are level and there is a handy tea room.

Carew Castle on the Cleddau estuary has a medieval Tidal Mill and is also a site of special scientific interest because rare bat, bird and invertebrate populations. Legend has it that the castle was once owned by the beautiful Princess Nest of Wales who helped her Norman husband escape down the drains at Carew to avoid attacking Welsh clansmen. 

Carreg Cennan Castle. Llandeilo. This one isn’t local – or even in Pembrokeshire but it’s so spectacular that it deserves a mention and was voted the most romantic ruin in Wales by Countryfile Magazine. Perched high on a crag with fabulous views and an underground passage, it takes a bit of walking to get there (but there is a tea room at the bottom). Tie it in with a visit to the National Botanic Garden of Wales or Aberglasny Gardens nearby.