Haverfordwest Castle
Haverfordwest Castle
3.5
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3.5
68 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
17
Average
22
Poor
11
Terrible
6
johncZ4852NW
Kingsteignton, UK365 contributions
Jun 2021
Haverfordwest Castle not the best castle ruins in Wales, it sits up on the hill and at the time the museum was closed. Some of the castle is shut-up and there is limited amounts of ruins to see. The car park appears to be residents only so there is a nice walk uphill to see the ruins. I must say I was slightly disappointed with the lack of information.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,688 contributions
Aug 2020
Haverfordwest castle is mostly a ruin and wasn't open due to covid or neglect when we visited, it was the 3rd wet castle of the day and they all look horrible places to visit in these conditions.
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CBalcombe
Stafford, UK122 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Not much to see but beautiful grounds and very friendly staff. Difficult parking but the small museum has a few interesting facts. Shame for the rubbish but worth it since it was free.
Written April 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
darceyhorse
Swansea, UK236 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We visited during the summer holidays, expecting to find an open attraction as the website does not state otherwise. The castle was accessible but the office/museum was locked with a lady sat at a desk.
The disappointment however came from the terrible state of the castle itself. Human and dog waste littered the place, rubbish was strewn everywhere. There were empty alcohol cans and syringes in places too! It was truly not what we were expecting.
So much more could be made of this site, especially as there is so much history here. There was no information or any signs outlining any of what must be hundreds of interesting facts associated with the past. They’ve clearly missed a trick here!
The disappointment however came from the terrible state of the castle itself. Human and dog waste littered the place, rubbish was strewn everywhere. There were empty alcohol cans and syringes in places too! It was truly not what we were expecting.
So much more could be made of this site, especially as there is so much history here. There was no information or any signs outlining any of what must be hundreds of interesting facts associated with the past. They’ve clearly missed a trick here!
Written August 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_PA28_Crew
Kidderminster, UK54 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
Firstly, this review is about the Castle and grounds and NOT a view of the excellent little town museum in the castle grounds which we've reviewed separately.
Three year old was desperate to visit so called in on a Friday morning. The castle dominates the town and you'd think it would be a major feature but even finding the way in isn't simple. There is a path up from the car park or you can wend your way up from the town square along a dirty, glass strewn side street.
There's very little to see regarding the castle, the main building which was a prison (built 1820, presumably reusing stone from the castle ruins) now houses council archives and is locked. But the state of the site curtailed our visit anyway as it was far too dangerous for a toddler with considerable dog fouling and a large amount of scattered broken glass. I reported this to the county council who are responsible for the site and was assured it was a 'one off'. Sorry, but the dog mess looked like some had been there for some time and the amount and spread of the glass looked like a long term issue.
This is all such a waste. Haverfordwest centre is, like many towns, struggling with shops closing. Surely an inviting tourist attraction in the centre could be valuable to the town but this isn't it. Basically, it's a disgrace. For a glimmer of hope see our review of the excellent little town museum which sits in the castle grounds.
Three year old was desperate to visit so called in on a Friday morning. The castle dominates the town and you'd think it would be a major feature but even finding the way in isn't simple. There is a path up from the car park or you can wend your way up from the town square along a dirty, glass strewn side street.
There's very little to see regarding the castle, the main building which was a prison (built 1820, presumably reusing stone from the castle ruins) now houses council archives and is locked. But the state of the site curtailed our visit anyway as it was far too dangerous for a toddler with considerable dog fouling and a large amount of scattered broken glass. I reported this to the county council who are responsible for the site and was assured it was a 'one off'. Sorry, but the dog mess looked like some had been there for some time and the amount and spread of the glass looked like a long term issue.
This is all such a waste. Haverfordwest centre is, like many towns, struggling with shops closing. Surely an inviting tourist attraction in the centre could be valuable to the town but this isn't it. Basically, it's a disgrace. For a glimmer of hope see our review of the excellent little town museum which sits in the castle grounds.
Written August 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G Parry
haverfordwest26 contributions
Sep 2012
If you like combining a rich historical building with used contraception and strewn beer cans then this is the place for you.
If you are really lucky you'll find some homeless people camping.
If you are really lucky you'll find some homeless people camping.
Written August 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
asdajohnlover
Port Talbot, UK277 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
My husband & I spent a couple of hours in Haverfordwest so decided to walk up to the castle. Upon our arrival the grounds were full of litter, dog muck & broken glass. We were only there for 5 minutes then decided to go back to the car. We didn't go into the museum.
Written August 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol B
Birmingham, UK7,289 contributions
Aug 2019
Saturday 17 August 19, My husband and I decided to go to visit Haverfordwest Castle, situated high on a hill in the centre of the town. Haverfordwest Castle is a stone keep motte and bailey fortress built between 1110 and 1113.
The castle was built by Tancred the Fleming, husband, of Gwladus (the aunt of Gerald of Wales). Gilbert de Clare appointed Trancred’s son Richard fitz-Tranced as the custodian
The castle was first attacked (unsuccessfully) by Gruffydd AP Rhus, Prince of Deheubarth, between 1135 and 1136. In 1173 the castle had its first royal visit by Henry II of England who passed by the town coming back from a trip to Ireland. In 1188 Gerald of Wales visited the castle with Archbishop Baldwin during his progress around Wales preaching for the 3rd Crusade that Richard the First, the Lion Heart led to the Holy Land.
By 1200, many of the original timber buildings had been replaced with the first stone buildings, including a rectangular north eastern tower to serve as the castle's keep. In 1210 King John passed Haverford in order to sail to Ireland to crush a rebellion by the Normans there. In 1213 the King persuaded William Marshal, who had inherited the surrounding Marcher Earldom of Pembroke to garrison the castle in return for an exorbitant sum of money; William Marshall was at this time already extremely wealthy.
William Marshal was responsible for replacing most of the original timber walls, towers and gatehouse with stone in the 1210s, and by 1220 little remained of the original castle. Today all that remains of the 1120 establishment is a large square keep in the north-east corner of the inner ward. This reconstruction to strengthen the castle was due to the persistent attacks during this period.
In 1217, Llewellyn Fawr (Llewellyn the Great)), Prince of Wales threatened William Marshal and in 1220 he burned the town but failed to take the castle. Following the burning of the town, it was rebuilt greater than before and developed quickly in the 13th century as a commercial centre due to its position and its navel links at the centre of Pembrokeshire.
In 1248, Humphrey II de Bohun acquired the castle and resisted an attack in 1257 by Llywelyn AP Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd (Llywelyn the Last). In 1265, Haverfordwest castle was taken by William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, during the Second Baron’s War, but in 1274 royalty intervened and granted it back to the de Bohun family, to the next generation, Humphrey III de Bohun.
In 1284 King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile visited the castle for the first time during a royal pilgrimage to St David’s. Eleanor fell in love with the castle. Four years later she borrowed a huge amount of money, from the de Bohun family and loaned £407 to fully rebuild the castle and complete its transition fully into stone. A massive scale re-construction took place, and it was completed a year later in 1290, shortly before she died, the castle then became known as the "Queen's Castle at Haverford".
Today much of what remains is dated to Queen Eleanor's 1290 version, including the extensive curtain wall. The castle remained in Royal possession after Eleanor's death and it was granted out to various wealthy tenants. In the 14th century, the castle was occupied by many owners; amongst them was Edward, the Black Prince, from 1359 to 1367. The castle was owned by the crown from 1381to 1385, who paid for restoration works of the castle. These works proved important later, as in 1405 the castle was strong enough to fend off an attack during Owain Glyndwr’s War of Welsh Independence The town walls around the high ground near the castle also did much to protect the castle from invaders, although nothing remains of these town walls today.
By the 16th century, however, the castle had become dilapidated and subsequently was re-fortified during the English Civil War. In 1644 Haverfordwest Castle was occupied by the Royalists, but they abandoned it after misinterpreting the noises of cows for a Parliamentary army. It was recaptured and held for the king for a year, who finally surrendered it after the Battle of Colby Moor. Oliver Cromwell sent letters to the castle, ordering it to be destroyed in July 1648 and threatened to imprison the townsfolk unless it was demolished. This derelict medieval castle was then converted to a prison in 1779
My husband and I took lots of photographs of this historic and important castles. If you are a history fan and love castle, then this is one for your bucket list.
PLEASE NOTE: There is parking at the castle, but you must get a free parking ticket from the museum, otherwise you run the risk of being clamped and a £ 70 fine.
The castle was built by Tancred the Fleming, husband, of Gwladus (the aunt of Gerald of Wales). Gilbert de Clare appointed Trancred’s son Richard fitz-Tranced as the custodian
The castle was first attacked (unsuccessfully) by Gruffydd AP Rhus, Prince of Deheubarth, between 1135 and 1136. In 1173 the castle had its first royal visit by Henry II of England who passed by the town coming back from a trip to Ireland. In 1188 Gerald of Wales visited the castle with Archbishop Baldwin during his progress around Wales preaching for the 3rd Crusade that Richard the First, the Lion Heart led to the Holy Land.
By 1200, many of the original timber buildings had been replaced with the first stone buildings, including a rectangular north eastern tower to serve as the castle's keep. In 1210 King John passed Haverford in order to sail to Ireland to crush a rebellion by the Normans there. In 1213 the King persuaded William Marshal, who had inherited the surrounding Marcher Earldom of Pembroke to garrison the castle in return for an exorbitant sum of money; William Marshall was at this time already extremely wealthy.
William Marshal was responsible for replacing most of the original timber walls, towers and gatehouse with stone in the 1210s, and by 1220 little remained of the original castle. Today all that remains of the 1120 establishment is a large square keep in the north-east corner of the inner ward. This reconstruction to strengthen the castle was due to the persistent attacks during this period.
In 1217, Llewellyn Fawr (Llewellyn the Great)), Prince of Wales threatened William Marshal and in 1220 he burned the town but failed to take the castle. Following the burning of the town, it was rebuilt greater than before and developed quickly in the 13th century as a commercial centre due to its position and its navel links at the centre of Pembrokeshire.
In 1248, Humphrey II de Bohun acquired the castle and resisted an attack in 1257 by Llywelyn AP Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd (Llywelyn the Last). In 1265, Haverfordwest castle was taken by William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, during the Second Baron’s War, but in 1274 royalty intervened and granted it back to the de Bohun family, to the next generation, Humphrey III de Bohun.
In 1284 King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile visited the castle for the first time during a royal pilgrimage to St David’s. Eleanor fell in love with the castle. Four years later she borrowed a huge amount of money, from the de Bohun family and loaned £407 to fully rebuild the castle and complete its transition fully into stone. A massive scale re-construction took place, and it was completed a year later in 1290, shortly before she died, the castle then became known as the "Queen's Castle at Haverford".
Today much of what remains is dated to Queen Eleanor's 1290 version, including the extensive curtain wall. The castle remained in Royal possession after Eleanor's death and it was granted out to various wealthy tenants. In the 14th century, the castle was occupied by many owners; amongst them was Edward, the Black Prince, from 1359 to 1367. The castle was owned by the crown from 1381to 1385, who paid for restoration works of the castle. These works proved important later, as in 1405 the castle was strong enough to fend off an attack during Owain Glyndwr’s War of Welsh Independence The town walls around the high ground near the castle also did much to protect the castle from invaders, although nothing remains of these town walls today.
By the 16th century, however, the castle had become dilapidated and subsequently was re-fortified during the English Civil War. In 1644 Haverfordwest Castle was occupied by the Royalists, but they abandoned it after misinterpreting the noises of cows for a Parliamentary army. It was recaptured and held for the king for a year, who finally surrendered it after the Battle of Colby Moor. Oliver Cromwell sent letters to the castle, ordering it to be destroyed in July 1648 and threatened to imprison the townsfolk unless it was demolished. This derelict medieval castle was then converted to a prison in 1779
My husband and I took lots of photographs of this historic and important castles. If you are a history fan and love castle, then this is one for your bucket list.
PLEASE NOTE: There is parking at the castle, but you must get a free parking ticket from the museum, otherwise you run the risk of being clamped and a £ 70 fine.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
louisevh2016
Haverfordwest, UK47 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
This imposing historic building sits high above the town of Haverfordwest. It looks impressive on the outside, but sadly, once inside the caestle, you will find it very very disappointing. The views are quite interesting if you are a local that is, but the ground is littered with smashed beer bottles and rubbish. Such a shame for what could be a fantastic tourist attraction.
Written October 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasmine394
Haverfordwest, UK32 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
Come here with the dog sometimes (yes I do clean up after him, there are plenty of bins) just to walk around looking down on the town from the big 'windows'. There is not much left of the castle, basically three walls, but it is still interesting to look at. The walk up through the town's old lanes is nice too. It is a shame that the grounds are not cleaner though.
Written April 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the cost of getting into the castle please
Written May 20, 2017
I walked round the castle didn't cost anything when I went but the Museum I have been told costs but don't know how much sorry
Written July 22, 2017
I am a nat trust and eng heritage member. does it cost to visit?
Written December 2, 2015
Nothing to look round the castle, but the museum does
Written July 22, 2017
how much is the entrance. I am a member of nat trust and english heritage
Written December 2, 2015
No doesn't cost to get into the castle, but there is a museum which might cost just not sure how much
Written May 22, 2017
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