Carew Castle

Carew Castle was built by the Norman Gerald de Windsor, constable of Pembroke Castle, on the site of an Iron Age fortification. Gerald had married the renowned beauty, Princess Ness, and the manor of Carew was part of her dowry. Gerald’s son assumed the name de Carew and he and his descendants enlarged the castle. By the 15th century, it was in the hands of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, a supporter of Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth (1485). However, Sir Rys’ grandson was executed for treason and the castle came into the hands of Sir John Perrot, who undertook extensive modernisation. Perrot, in turn, fell from favour and the castle returned to the de Carew family, changing hands three times during the Civil War, only to be abandoned in 1686. Substantially ruined, it is leased to the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority, which has undertaken extensive restoration work. There are all sorts of things to do there now – you can even get married there. Naturally, it is haunted. Popular choices include a Celtic warrior, a kitchen boy, the ‘white lady’ (possibly Princess Nest) – and the ghost of a Barbary ape.