Pembroke Castle Events Season

Pembroke Castle is the real thing: a Norman fortress on a limestone bluff with a round keep you can climb, a huge natural cavern under it called the Wogan, and a gatehouse complex that took the medieval idea of a castle about as far as it went. Henry VII was born here, which is why the Tudor dynasty starts in a west Wales market town.

Through the season the Castle Trust fills it with events. Living history camps, re-enactors in the outer ward, archery, falconry, medieval crafts and family trails in the school holidays. The scale varies from a couple of interpreters to a full weekend encampment, so it is worth looking at what is actually on rather than turning up expecting a spectacle.

Practical. Allow two hours at least, more with children, who will want to do the wall walk twice. The keep stair is a tight spiral with a rope handrail and no lift, and the wall walks are not suitable for buggies. Parking is in the town car park below the castle, and the main street above is the place to eat.

Making a day of it. The mill pond circular loops around the water below the walls and gives you the best view of the whole thing, herons included, in about an hour. Carew is fifteen minutes away and pairs naturally — the castles route puts them together with Manorbier and Cilgerran.

Dates and content change every year, so check before you build a day around a particular event.