Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle stands on a rocky promontory beside the Pembroke River in the centre of Pembroke, Pembrokeshire. The first fortification was built in 1093 by Arnulf of Montgomery during the Norman invasion of Wales. William Marshal rebuilt the castle in stone in the late 12th century, creating the great round keep and much of the structure that remains today. The castle is the largest privately owned castle in Wales, held in trust for the public. A Grade I listed building, it has undergone major restoration in the 20th century. The castle has played a central role in Welsh and English history. It was the family seat of the Earldom of Pembroke and passed through many powerful hands. Roger of Montgomery founded the first castle here in 1073, and Gerald de Windsor defended it during a siege in 1092. William Marshal received the castle from Richard I and rebuilt it in stone. The castle later became a military base for fighting Welsh princes during Edward I’s conquest of North Wales. Visitors find a large stone keep with thick walls and a domed roof, reached by a spiral staircase. The inner ward contains William Marshal’s Great Hall and private apartments, while the outer ward is defended by a twin-towered gatehouse and round towers. Below the castle lies Wogan Cavern, reached by a 55-step spiral staircase. The cavern has revealed prehistoric bones, including those of woolly mammoth and hippopotamus, showing human occupation as far back as the Paleolithic period. The castle has also served as a film location, appearing in productions such as *The Lion in Winter* and *Me Before You*.