Pembroke Castle in Wales is one of the country’s most iconic medieval fortresses, rich in history and located in the charming town of Pembroke. It played a key role in British history as the birthplace of Henry VII. For travellers seeking a mix of Tudor history and beautiful scenery, Pembroke Castle in Wales is a must-visit destination.
I had wanted to visit Pembroke ever since I watched the movie “Me Before You.” I instantly fell in love with the castle and began searching for its location and how to get there. We visited as part of a longer trip in Wales, while camping in Snowdonia.
Pembroke Castle Guide
This comprehensive guide to Pembroke Castle will assist you in planning your visit, highlighting what to do and see inside, where to park, the Tudor history and where to stay in Pembroke village. It is one of the most remarkable heritage sites in Wales.
New World Map in the grounds of Pembroke Castle, Wales
1. About Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle is located in the town of Pembroke, South Wales, about four and a half hours’ drive from London. It provides natural defence along part of its perimeter. Its thick walls and towers face the town on the landward side. Depending on the weather and the time of day, the reflection on the water makes the castle appear even more impressive. Visitors can walk along its towering walls, ascend to the top of the Great Keep tower for stunning views, and even explore the vast Wogan Cavern hidden beneath the castle.
The Castle is owned by a private trust and relies on the income received from visitors. It hosts various events and activities throughout the year, both inside the castle and in the gardens, to explore its history. These include events such as Keepers of the Castle, Knight School, and The Sealed Knot – Living History Day. One of the key events each year is the Christmas Market, held annually in late November.
2. History of Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle in Wales is a medieval castle with a rich and fascinating history. It played a crucial role in shaping Britain’s history. One of the most significant events in the castle’s past was the birth of Henry VII. It is believed to have been born in the tower known as ‘Henry VII Tower’. This connection places this historic resident at the heart of one of Britain’s most influential royal lineages, similar to Hampton Court Palace and Hever Castle.
Built in 1093 by Arnulf de Montgomery, the castle was originally made of Timber and was established as a Norman Fort. The castle withstood many Welsh attacks and sieges over the years. However, after the Middle Ages, much of its interior was destroyed. A century later, William Marshal was granted the castle, which he rebuilt into an impressive Norman stone fortress. He further enlarged it so that most of the structure still stands today.
The birthing room of Henry VII, Pembroke Castle, Wales, UK
3. Pembroke Castle Opening Times & Tickets
3.1 Opening Hours Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle in Wales is open year-round, with seasonal opening times that vary by period.:
- Spring & Summer hours are from 10 am – 5 pm with last entry at 4 pm.
- Winter months opening times are from 10 am – 4 pm with last entry at 3 pm.
The castle is closed annually on 30th Nov, 24th-26th Dec and the 1st Jan.
3.2 Tickets Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle ticket prices are for adults (18+), seniors, and children (3-17 years), with discounted rates for registered disabled visitors and children under 16. Children under 3 and carers can enter free of charge. Annual passes are also available if you visit regularly.
Tickets include entry to the castle, grounds, and exhibitions, as well as a free guided tour. If you buy your entrance ticket online, you will get a 10% discount.
4. Things to see and do inside Pembroke Castle
5. Explore exhibitions and displays
Explore the rooms and towers of the castle, which house exhibition rooms, battlements, multimedia displays, and life-like scenes. This illustrates life as it would have been amid the many intriguing twists and turns of the castle’s history.
From the ladies of the house caring for Henry VII and a Medieval Banquet to the many battles, like the Civil War, held in Pembroke. As well as the history of the first British humans who lived in Wogan Cavern, and the archaeological findings in the cavern.
6. Take a guided Tour
Do one of the free guided tours inside the castle, which are included with the entrance ticket. Tours are held daily and last about an hour, depending on the guide. The meeting point is at the gatehouse. Just check the scheduled times for the guided tours when you arrive.
The entrance of Wogan Cavern, Pembroke Castle, Wales
7. Go down into Wogan Cavern
Head down to the Wogan Cavern beneath the Great Hall to learn about the fascinating history of the caves, which have served as a place of safety for over 12,000 years. It is the only castle in Britain built over a natural cavern. Over the years, various artefacts have been discovered in Wogan Cavern, such as stone tools used by cave-dwelling people during the Ice Age and Roman coins found in and near the castle.
When you are on the opposite side of the Pembroke River, you can see the cave beneath the castle, embedded deep within the rock.
8. Walk along the walls of Pembroke Castle
Climb up the stairs of the Henry VII Tower and enjoy a short walk along the walls. Here, you can take in the stunning views across the fields, Pembroke town, and the castle courtyard. Be careful, though, as it can get slippery when walking along the walls. Walking along the walls reminded me of doing this at Bodiam Castle, England.
9. See the Great Map
Check out the Great Map of Wales, situated in the centre of Pembroke Castle courtyard. It is a massive 1,100-square-meter walk-on mural. Known to be one of Britain’s largest pieces of artwork. You can discover the location of hundreds of castles, cathedrals and famous Welsh landmarks on the great map of Wales.
10. The Great Keep Tower
Dominating the grounds of Pembroke Castle at twenty-five metres high and sixteen metres in diameter is the cylindrical Great Keep Tower. The entrance was on the first floor, and access to the five levels was via a wooden staircase, which is no longer there. Instead, when you walk into the tower, you will find a giant hollow area that feels a little creepy when you are inside.
If you look up, though, you will be able to see where the rooms that contain fireplaces and windows are. It is definitely worth exploring. If you watch the movie “Me Before You,” this is where Will takes his caregiver, Lou, to see the castle from his favourite spot.
See The Great Tower or Keep Pembroke Castle, Wales
11. How to get to Pembroke Castle, Wales.
Pembroke Castle is located in the heart of the historic town of Pembroke, West Wales. It is roughly a three-hour drive from Cardiff and takes approximately four to five hours to reach from central London, depending on traffic conditions. Alternative modes of transportation to Pembroke Castle include trains, buses, and ferries.
Book a full-day guided tour from Cardiff that includes Pembroke Castle and the Dylan Thomas sanctuary if you don’t have a car.
12. Driving to Pembroke
Driving is the most convenient and easiest way to reach Pembroke Castle in Wales, especially if you’re coming from central London. The journey is quite straightforward. Once you’re on the M4 (highway, there will be signposts to guide you towards Pembroke town as you get nearer. If you do decide to drive, enter the postcode SA71 4LA into the SatNav.
Alternatively, if you don’t own a car, you can hire one for the day, especially if you’re travelling with a group or have a family. There are numerous companies in and around London that offer competitive prices, given how major a city it is. Discovercar provides a wide range of cars for hire at competitive prices.
Please be aware that the M4 has tolls, and the other options will take longer.
13. Pembroke Castle parking
Pembroke Castle does not have a dedicated parking area. However, there are many public car parks nearby, all within an 8-minute walk. The South Quay Car Park is the closest to the medieval castle, approximately 3 minutes from the entrance.
14. Trains from London to Pembroke
Trains from London to Pembroke, Wales, depart from either London Paddington or Euston Station to Pembroke Dock Station. Then it is only a 15-minute walk down Pembroke’s main street to the historic Castle. You can check train times and book them online.
15. Buses to Pembroke
Several bus routes stop right outside the castle entrance. These include buses 348 (Haverfordwest via Pembroke Dock), 349 (Haverfordwest via Tenby), and 356 (Milford Haven).
The view from one of the Towers at Pembroke Castle
16. Hotels in Pembroke, Wales
If you’re planning a trip to Pembroke Castle, the town offers a great selection of hotels in Pembroke, Wales. Most stays are within walking distance of the castle, making it easy to explore the medieval fortress and the charming high street. Some suggestions include The Coach House Hotel, Old Kings Arms Hotel and Lamphey Court Hotel & Spa.
These Pembroke hotels make an ideal base for exploring the castle, Pembroke’s riverside walks, and the wider Pembrokeshire coast. I stayed at the Lord Nelson Hotel, situated in Milford Haven along the seafront with views of the harbour. It was only about 20 minutes drive from Pembroke Castle via the bridge.
17. Top Tips for visiting Pembroke Castle
Walk the outer walls: If you have the time, go for a walk around the outside of the castles, which should only take about 15-20 minutes at the most. You can get some really nice photos of the castle on the opposite side of the river.
Bring a jacket: There isn’t much shelter available, and the Welsh weather can be unpredictable, so take an umbrella or a waterproof coat, especially if you plan to walk along the walls.
Entertainment: During the Summer Holidays, every Wednesday evening, there is an outdoor theatre, cinema and music!
Time Duration: Visitors should allocate two to three hours to explore the castle, its exhibits and its grounds.
Dogs Allowed: You may bring your dog onto the grounds of the castles as long as it is on a lead and it is well-behaved. Another historical castle that allows dogs on leads is Tintagel Castle in Cornwall.
Wear comfortable shoes: Some areas have uneven surfaces, historic staircases, and slippery fort walls when wet, so I suggest wearing walking shoes with good traction.
Walking around the outside of Pembroke Castle along the water
Would I recommend Pembroke Castle, Wales?
Every historical building has its own fascinating story about how it came to be and why it is still standing today. Pembroke Castle, Wales, is no exception; it holds its own in the castle stakes, and with its serene architecture and long history, it is a true wonder of Wales and worth a visit.
Book a full-day guided tour from Cardiff that includes Pembroke Castle, Tenby, and Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne with GYG.
Other historical places in England
Are you planning to visit other historical sites in London? If so, visit my history page for inspiration, or read the informative articles about the following attractions in England.
- How to climb Wellington Arch, London
- 10 Magical Castles Near London
- Tips and information for visiting Tower Bridge, London
⇒ Looking to discover other parts of England, please feel free to head to my United Kingdom Page
Have you visited Pembroke Castle in Wales or any other castles in Wales? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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Disclaimer: I paid to visit Pembroke Castle in Wales, and all views are my own and based on my experience.
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Can you believe I’ve lived in the UK all my life and still haven’t visited Wales? This must change as I love this castle I’d love to go explore. I also had no idea that Me before You was filmed here, so now I’m going to have to go watch again.
I can definitely believe that 🙂 You should definitely go there, it is one of my favourite places to visit. So green and beautiful and full of history. If I see a castle in a movie, I always look it up and see if it is real 🙂
I’m a little biased (half welsh), but Wales is awesome and it doesn’t always rain! Pembroke Castle is really beautiful, I’ve been a couple of times and the history of it is remarkable! I never knew you could bring your dog in if it was on a lead, guess i’ll be coming back and taking my dog!
I love Wales, I think it is a beautiful place and go up there all the time. A lot of national trust properties allow you to take your dog in the grounds of castles these days too.
This is so pretty. I never got a chance to visit Wales when I was in London but I wish I had.
Thank you very much, Wales has lots of amazing castles. The map on the ground inside the castle has all the castles in Wales on it.
I love visiting old Castles and this one looks very Nice. i have never been to Wales before, I should try to visit this country as soon as possible. And plan a visit to Pembroke Castle at the same time. The exhibits there looks quite cool. Great article, made me want to visit Wales 🙂
I love Castles and Palaces too, I love wondering around in them and exploring. Wales has lots of castles and there is also a lot near Pembroke castle, like Carew Castle.
This place is gorgeous! European castles are always so stunning. Me Before You (both the book and movie) made me cry like a baby haha!
It really was a beautiful castle to visit though it was smaller than I thought. Wales definitely has some stunning castles in the surrounding areas.
I wondered which castle was in that film!! I watched it on a plane with tears streaming down my face!!! It looks amazing and so the type of place I love to visit. I will be trying to fit that in some time soon 🙂
I have watched that movie more than once and I have cried every single time, even though I know what is going to happen 🙂 If you have the time you should definitely try and visit, as there is a lot to do there.
Oh, so this is where the movie was shot! I want to go there too. I’ve been dreaming of visiting a castle for such a long time.
The views are stunning. I have to put this in my places to visit!
One of the first things I do when I see a castle in a movie is look it up and see where it is. This is a bit of distance for me to travel from London, so I went over a long weekend.
I love Wales and its many amazing castles! Pembroke Castle looks enchanting. Like taken out of a fairytale. I hope I get to visit one day!
I love Wales too, it is one of my favourite places to visit. I never realised that how many castles were there until I went to the first time. You should definitely go
I never knew the movie was filmed here. I so want to visit this castle now. Beautiful pictures as always.
Thank you very much 🙂
I really love visiting castle and Pembroke Castle looks beautiful! I love all your pictures 🙂 Pinning it for future resource when I get there.
I am a big fan of castles and palaces as well and I definitely recommend this one. However, if you are in London you will definitely need to do this over a weekend because it is pretty far.
What a beautiful place! It’s amazing what a film can do to promote tourism! I bet you guys were not the only ones to visit this castle because of the movie!
You are so correct about promotion for an area after a movie. I would not have known about this place if I had not seen it in the movies.
What a beautiful place to visit! I’m fan of history and castle 😊 I’ll add that place for when I go visit the Uk
This about 5hr away from London, so you will need to go for a weekend here but don’t worry that is lots of beautiful castles in the area.
When we visited Wales we went to Caernarfon castle but I really want to visit Pembroke castle too. You have really done it justice in this post.
There are a lot of castles near Pembroke castle, we were a little spoilt for choice. Thanks
If it’s one thing the UK does right, it’s castles! Pembroke Castle looks great and I love the human life exhibitions (so much better than reading text)! I’m happy to hear that it’s owned by a private trust. Sounds like history is in good hands!
I think we are definitely spoilt for choice in the UK with Castles and palaces. I love visiting them and exploring. I am to glad about it being owned privately and taken care off 🙂
I watched Me before you a few days back only and I can relate to the castle from your photographs. I haven’t been to a castle and would definitely love to visit Wales to have that sort of an experience. Thanks for sharing.
I am a huge fan of castles and of the movie. We are definitely spoilt for choice here in the UK in regards to Palaces and castles. I even live in the grounds of a castle that Henry VIII owned. Btw I hope you like the movie 🙂
I only visited Wales for the first time about 8 years ago (no idea why it took so long!) We tend to go by train and have started in Cardiff but really need to explore it more – I am determined to get a picture at the train station of the town with the really really long name in the next few months. Must try to check out this castle too! And love that huge map!!! 😍
I would definitely be interested to know the town you are talking about with the long name. Even time I see the welsh sayings and words they look like a big jumble of words. You would definitely like this castle and the area that it is in, as there is also other castles here.
I have just seen the movie not so long ago…I can recognize the castle! I’d like to visit it the next time we are in the UK!
I love the movie and definitely worth the track up to Wales to see the castle.
I’ve never visited a castle but have always wanted to. Pembroke Castle sounds like the perfect place to start! It looks beautiful and I love how you got the entire grounds all to yourself. I still have to watch that movie but I don’t wanna cry lol
We are spoilt for choice here in the UK and if you ever come over let me know, I will be happy to give you suggestions. I warn you now that you will need a box of tissues.
I love castles! I never got to go to the UK yet, but when I do, castles are high on my priority list of places to see! This is a nice write up, and looks like you can really walk around and see a lot of the castle, both inside and out which is cool. I’ll also have to check that movie out that you mentioned. I’m a sucker for romance movies lol.
It is one of the best romantic movies ever, I have cried literally every time I have watched it. Definitely, let me know if you are ever in London and I will be happy to show you castles.
I live in the Rhondda Valleys (just outside of Cardiff!) and one of my main travel goals this year is to explore more of my own country. You’ve totally inspired me to add Pembroke Castle to my list of places to visit! Not sure if I’m allowed to say this or whether it’d be considered biased, but we definitely have the best castles in the world 😉 I had no idea Me Before You was filmed here though! Which is bizarre because normally we cling onto anything in popular culture and make sure EVERYONE knows we were involved with it. Doctor Who, Dobby’s resting place, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tom Jones…all ours haha. Thank you so much for writing this and inspiring more people to visit the other side of the bridge. Even if our weather is absolutely atrocious!
Are you kidding? I love Wales it is one of my favourite places to visit, especially for castles and hiking. I am definitely Wales number 1 aussie fan. I don’t think yo u are biased as I have been to lots of amazing castles in Wales. My problem is finding time to write about them 🙂
You are right – the castle does look so romantic. It’s something that you wouldn’t expect to be real. I would imagine this something you would only read in books or see in movies. This is my kind of place to visit, love the old medieval architecture!
I just love the castles and palaces and this was a great place to visit. Wales has a lot of castles and the great map in the middle of the castles has them all.
The castle is absolutely beautiful. When I watched the movie, I thought I should have visited but now that I am reading your post, the place in the movie is not actually where it said it is LOL. But both castles are clearly gorgeous. Next time I am in England, I want to get out of London and see all these amazing estates.
Both castles? The one is my post is the same as the one in the movie. This is a 5hr drive out of London, so you will definitely need to go for a weekend.
Some very good friends of ours live around the corner from Pembroke castle so I absolutely love that place. Same thing happened to me re. Costa Rica – we watched the film Endless Summer and thought ‘we’ve got to go there!’
I agree it is a beautiful area for sure. I not seen the movie Endless Summer, I think I might have to check it out. I would love to visit Costa Rica.
What an interesting place. I have never been to a European castle but I have seen many massive forts in my country India. I particularly found the painting on the etiquettes and manners during the 12th century. It reflects on the lifestyle of that era.
Wow! This castle is truly romantic and picturesque! Your post is so inspirational!
Thank you so much, I appreciate it
Would love to visit castle this is my many great grandfathers castle my line is the bowen line
You come from a family that owned a castle that is so very cool.
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