Days Out from Manor Bedw – Pembroke Castle & Freshwater West

Visit one of Wales’ finest castles, Pembroke Castle, and explore the birthplace of Henry VII.

Pembroke CastleAn enormous oval castle, mostly surrounded by a serene mill pond. Extensively restored in Victorian times, it’s dominated by the complex gatehouse on the outside and the huge circular keep once you’re inside. There are historical displays in the gatehouse rooms and a maze of tunnels, stairs, towers and battlements to explore. You can also see Wogan’s Cavern, a large subterranean cave under the castle, accessed by a tight spiral staircase.

There is a lovely circular walk around the mill pond.

The walled town of Pembroke which grew up around the castle also contains many ancient and interesting Norman buildings.

Freshwater WestYou could extend the day out with a visit to Freshwater West beach, the best place to go to watch the surfing. This south westerly facing beach has the best waves in the county BUT it’s only for the experienced and strong swimming surfer. Strong rip currents occur off this beach.

Freshwater West has featured in two recent films – Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood and also Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where it was used as the back drop for Dobby’s Shell Cottage, which was built on site down to the smallest detail including the seaweed. Although the cottage was taken down after filming you can still walk in the footsteps of Harry, Hermione and Ron. In 2015 Hollywood returned to the beach to film Their Finest starring Gemma Arterton and Sam Claflin.

The legendary Cafe Mor is parked at the southern car park from spring to autumn. Enjoy a lobster roll with Pembrokeshire caviar.

Not far away you will find a great café at West Angle Bay – The Wavecrest Café.

Distance from Manor Bedw: 20 miles