Llawhaden
Llawhaden occupies a hill top location between Narberth and Haverfordwest. The village itself is dominated by the remains of Llawhaden Castle, a fortified Bishops Palace rather than a castle, but impressively located on high ground overlooking The Vale of the Eastern Cleddau.
This would have been a grand residence rather than a more functional fortification, but it’s very castle like in appearance. It's most likely that Llawhaden began as an earth and timber castle in the 12th century, the prize of the Norman Bishop Bernard. The defenses were refortified with stone, in response to a siege led by the Welshman, the Lord Rhys, in the late 12th century. In the 13th century, Bishop Thomas Bek (1280-93) established and expanded the village, added the hall block, with its kitchen and stone-vaulted undercrofts, and the bishop's elaborately adorned chambers above. During the next century, the bishops added the twin-towered gatehouse, the most impressive existing structure at Llawhaden Castle. At the same time, a fine range of domestic buildings was added on the southern side of the castle including apartments and a chapel. After the dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, Llawhaden was abandoned. It is now managed by CADW, the Welsh historic buildings agency.
Features include the impressive shell of the gatehouse. The outer wall to the south side is fairly complete and includes a modern staircase to access the battlements for superb views. The inner keep is mostly grass but there are some rooms and partially vaulted undercrofts to explore Nearby are the remains of the chapel of Llawhaden hospital, founded in 1287 by bishop Thomas Beck
Picture: The pretty riverside church at Llawhadden
Accommodation in Llawhaden is limited. The nearest hotels are in Narberth or Haverfordwest. There are one or two B&B’s and guesthouses in the vicinity such as at Little Canaston. The nearest camping, camp sites or touring caravan sites would be around Narberth or Clynderwen. There are also several holiday parks here where you can rent a self catering static caravan or chalet. The new Bluestone Holiday Village alongside the A4075, three miles south of Llawhaden, will open in 2008. There are occasional self catering cottages in the area. A long distance footpath called The Landsker Borderlands Trail passes Llawhaden.
Near to Llawhadden alongside the A40 a short distance to the West is Clerkenhill Farm with a childrens nature trail and activities including frisbee golf.
Picture: Frisbee golf at Clerkenhill Farm