The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a spectacular and distinctive coastal area. It’s Britain’s Only Coastal National Park, as it’s the only one of Britain’s 14 National Parks to be entirely coastal in nature...
186 miles of walkers paradise on both wild headlands and pristine beaches with picturesque towns and villages like Tenby, St Davids and Solva en route. Most people walk a little bit a time, coming back year after year to explore a bit more. If you want to do the whole lot, allow 15 days...
No other county in Britain has more Blue Flag Beaches or Seaside Award beaches than Pembrokeshire. With over 50 beaches to choose from, there’s going to one that’s perfect for you, whether you want surfing, kayaking or kite surfing, or just somewhere peaceful to relax, sunbathe and build sandcastles... 
There are 51 forts and castles in Pembrokeshire including enormous stone fortresses like Pembroke castle, Manorbier castle and Carew castle. There are medieval walled towns of Tenby and Pembroke and fortified Bishops Palaces at St Davids and Lamphey. 
A pristine environment, clean seas, very little population and lush vegetation makes for rich and varied habitats, most important of which are the Islands: Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Grassholm and Caldey. Home to thousands of Puffins, Gannets and other sea birds. Dolphin, Porpoise and Whale watching boat trips are popular too...
Castles In Pembrokeshire -
Manorbier Castle
The castle's basic plan is almost rectangular, and consists of a sturdy battlemented curtain wall with niches and powerful corner towers, impressive gatehouse, a complex hall-range, and a huge barn.
History
- The Norman knight Odo de Barri was granted the lands of Manorbier, Penally and Begelly in gratitude for his military help in conquering Pembrokeshire after 1003.
- He built an earth and timber fortification, which was gradually replaced with a stone structure.
- His fourth son was Gerald de Barri. Known commonly as Gerald of Wales (the great twelfth century scholar, known as Giraldus Cambrensis) who was born at the castle. Renowned today for his chronicles and descriptions of life in his time.
- The de Barris owned the castle until 1359, after which time ownership changed hands on several occasions, becoming property of the monarchy in the late 15th century.
- By 1630 Queen Elizabeth sold the castle (then considered "ruynous ... quite decayed) to the Bowen family of Trefloyne.
- The Philippses of Picton Castle bought the castle in 1670 who leased it to J.R. Cobb in the late 19th century.
- It was Cobb who undertook much of the restoration work.
- The castle only suffered two minor assaults: the first, in 1327, when Richard de Barri stormed Manorbier to claim what was rightfully his, and, then, in 1645 during the English Civil War, when the castle was seized and slighted by Cromwell's Roundheads.
Features
- Stunning location perched above the beach.
- Well preserved masonry, chapel, round tower and gatehouse.
- Numerous stairs, towers, rooms and battlements to explore.
- Inner ward laid out to gardens.
- Interesting spur tower with good views over the beach.
- Historical displays & life sized figures.
Facilities
Gift shop & toilets. Self catering cottage inside the castle. Dogs admitted only on a lead. Picnics welcomed. Parking is limited. Park next to the beach and walk back up the hill.
Open: Daily from Monday 29th March 2010 10am - 6pm. Open every weekend in October and half term (shut Saturday 2nd Oct 10am-2pm due to private function)
£3.50 adults, £1.50 children, £2.50 senior citizens
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Manorbier Castle
Manorbier
SA70 7SY
Tel: 01834 871394 (seasonal)
Web: www.manorbiercastle.co.uk
Map Location
ID: 7164 Revised: 16/7/2010
