Picton Castle and Gardens

Picton Castle and Gardens

Picton Castle and Gardens
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
South Wales
SA62 4AS

Tel: 01437 751 326
E-Mail: info@pictoncastle.co.uk

Web: Picton Castle and Gardens

About Picton Castle and Gardens

Picton Castle -
Picton Castle is a most unusual ancient building being in design half fortified manor house and half fully developed medieval castle.
From the outside with its four symmetrically spaced half round towers and gatehouse entrance flanked by two narrower towers it looks like a miniature version of a great Edwardian Castle such as Conwy in North Wales. However as soon as one enters inside it is revealed not to have an inner courtyard and keep but rather a series of finely planned rooms typical of the grand country house that it is. There is no other building quite like it in Britain.
Since the 13th century Picton has been in the hands of the Wogans, Baron of Wiston and it was Sir John Wogan Justiciar of Ireland circa 1295 - 1313 who is believed to have built the present castle.
The Philipps's who are direct descendents of Sir John Wogan have held Picton since the days of Sir Thomas Philipps. In 1611 James I wanted to raise money to meet the cost of keeping his army in Ireland and he hit upon the idea of selling baronetcies. Sir John Philipps bought one at the cost of 1,095 pounds.
Throughout the 17th and 18th Century the Philipps's of Picton Castle were the most powerful family in Pembrokeshire exercising both tremendous political, social and economic influence over all aspects of local life. They had vast estates were prominent philanthropists (being particularly supportive of the charity school movement). Patrons of the arts for generations supplied Pembrokeshire with Sherriffs, Justices of the Peace, Lord Lieutenants and MP's.

The Gardens -
Situated close to the Cleddau Estuary, known locally as the 'hidden waterway', Picton Castle comprises 40 acres of some of the most beautiful woodland gardens and grounds in West Wales.
Picton Castle woodland walk-
Soak up the special magic as you stroll beneath some of the largest and oldest trees in West Wales and discover woodland walks, ferns, a maze and abundant feasts of wild flowers that blend with unusual woodland shrubs from all corners of the world. Unique to Picton are the Rhododendrons raised over the years by our own head gardeners and include rare species including Myrtles, Embrothium and Eucryphia.
Picton Castle Fernery
The Walled Garden is an enchanting riot of colour in the summer months with its elegant fountain, rose strewn arches and medicinal herbs all labelled with their remedies. Seek out the door that leads to the fernery, a tranquil and fascinating habitat for less hardy fern species.