Pembrokeshire

Picton Castle is a National Trust property located between Haverfordwest and Narbeth. This former home has magnificent grounds and an interesting house. There is a large, free car park and we found the staff friendly, helpful and welcoming.

Picton Castle is not a castle at all, just a house built to look like a castle.

The ground floor and cellars of Picton Castle are open to the public, but only guided tours are available - these are cheap, however.

The interior of Picton Castle is still laid out and furnished as when it was last occupied less than a decade ago. And you are actually encouraged to sit on the comfortable chairs in various rooms.

Picton's small library is circular which produces an interesting echo when you stand in its centre.

The castle cellars contain a large number of kitchen and domestic appliances from the

last hundred years - these were originally in Pembroke's Museum of the Home (now, sadly, closed).

Visitors who cannot manage stairs will be pleased that Picton Castle is on one level, and the cellars can be accessed via a gentle slope. Toilets near the site entrance are suitable for disabled people.

The grounds are extensive and beautiful. The woodland gardens are arranged in several formal areas, including a walled garden, bluebell walk, maze and play area.

In the restaurant the range of home-cooked food was impressive. There were plenty of healthy hot or cold meals and sandwiches available at reasonable prices. Souvenirs are on sale in the shop opposite. Plants grown in Picton's gardens are also available to buy.

Although the daily entrance charge to Picton Castle will not break the bank, it is possible to buy a season ticket which makes multiple visits very good value.

HOW TO GET THERE

Picton Castle is on a small country road a couple of miles south of the main A40 between Haverfordwest and Narbeth. Follow the brown tourist signs from the A40.

Other places of interest in Pembrokeshire