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Pembroke

Picture: Pembroke Castle

Pembroke is a charming walled town which dates back over 900 years and is famous for its Norman Castle. Pembroke Castle is one of the most complete Norman castles in the UK. It was the birthplace of Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty.

Picture: Pembroke Castle gatehouse

Pembroke Castle is the reason why most people visit this corner of Pembrokeshire. It's a fantastic medieval relic with endless rooms, spiral stone staircases, passages, battlements and turrets that will occupy you for hours. It affords fine views of the town and surrounding countryside and waterway, especially from the top of The Great Tower. Below the castle, down a narrow spiral staircase, is The Wogan, a large natural cavern. There's a museum and during the summer months an extensive programme of dramatic events, re-enactments and festivals takes place within its walls.

Picture: Pembroke Castle Pond

Pembroke town is a textbook medieval fortified town with a central main street heading east from the castle gates and a moat or castle pond extending round much of the town. The old town walls are remarkably intact complete with defensive towers such as Barnards Tower, an impressive three-storeyed tower with a fore building over its entrance.

Picture: Barnards Tower, Pembroke

There's an interesting walk round the outside of the castle pond and the inside, below the ramparts of the castle. It's suitable for both pushchairs and wheelchairs. In fact The Coast Path follows the route round Castle Pond before heading off to Pembroke Dock in one direction and out to Angle in the other.

Picture: Pembroke Main Street

Along Pembroke's Main Street are numerous fine old buildings where you'll find a variety of shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants. Wisebuy's delicatessen and the Pembroke glass-blowing centre are two of the more interesting amongst them.

Picture: The Room, an interesting shop on Main Street, Pembroke, at the opposite end from the castle.

The mill pond runs parallel to the main street and is a peaceful spot to watch the swans, herons, ducks and other water birds. You may even be lucky enough to spot an otter.

The Pembroke Tourist Information Centre is situated near to Pembroke Castle, opposite the car park and play area on the Commons Road. It's open all year.

There are a few hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs in and around Pembroke. The most luxurious is Lamphey Hall Hotel, a few miles east. There are a few camp sites and touring caravan sites in the surrounding countryside but the nearest static caravan parks would be in Manorbier or Angle. There are plenty of self catering cottages in nearby villages.