Carew Castle & Tidal Mill, Pembrokeshire

Carew Castle is a Norman castle with its origins in a stone keep built by Gerald de Windsor around the year 1100. Gerald married Nest, princess of Deheubarth around 1095. Nest brought the manor of Carew as part of her dowry, and Gerald cleared the existing fort to build his own castle on to a Norman design. The original outer walls were timber, and only the keep was of stone. This still exists in the later structure as the "Old Tower".

Gerald's son William took the name "de Carew", and in the middle of the 12th century incorporated the original keep, and a "Great Hall" inside a stone enclosure. The current high-walled structure with a complex of rooms and halls around the circumference was created by Nicholas de Carew around 1270

The de Carews encountered financial difficulties in the post-Black Death period and mortgaged the castle. It fell into the hands of Rhys ap Thomas who extended the castle with luxurious apartments with many Tudor features in the late 15th century. An inner doorway is decorated with three coats of arms: those of Henry VII, his son Arthur and Arthur's wife Catherine of Aragon (who later became Henry's wife). This allegiance turned sour. Rhys's grandson Rhys ap Gruffudd was executed by Henry VIII for treason in 1531. The castle reverted to the crown and was leased to various tenants. In 1558 it was acquired by John Perrott, who made the final substantial extension, building the long range of rooms in domestic architecture attached to the outside of the north walls which give the castle its present character.

In the 17th century the castle's lord, Sir Roland Rhees, is alleged to have kept a Barbary Ape, which he named Satan. Rees was a very ill-tempered, and cruel man.

One stormy night, a tradesman appeared at the castle to deliver his rent, but had only half the money needed. In a drunken rage, Rees loosened the ape’s chains and goaded it to maul the tradesman close to death. The tradesman escaped but collapsed in semi-consciousness outside. He was rescued by a servant who tended to his wounds and hid him in his quarters. As they talked they heard a violent cry and mad laughter coming from the dinning hall. At the scene they found Sir Rees dead on the floor, his throat gashed open, and the ape burning in the fireplace. The ghosts of the ape and its master are said to haunt the castle to this day.

Carew Mill is the only intact tidal mill in Wales and one of only four in Britain. While its precise date of origin is uncertain, evidence indicates there was a mill was here in 1542. The present building dates from the early 19th century and indeed one of the two mill wheels carries the date 1801.
Although no longer working, all the mill machinery is still intact.

(Photograph courtesy of Trish & Chris Seymour).

Opening Times

November to mid April - Castle Only
Daily, 11.00am – 3.00pm

Mid April to October - Castle & Mill
Daily, 10.00am – 5.00pm

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Ticket Prices

Castle Only (Winter)
Adult/Concession £3.00
Family £9.00

Castle & Mill (Summer)
Adult - £4.75 C
oncession £3.25
Family £12.75

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Disabled Facilities

Easy access path suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

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More Information

Telephone: 01646 651782
Email: enquiries@carewcastle.com

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