Picton Castle Gardens

Picton Castle was constructed in 1280 at the behest of Sir John de Wogan who was Justiciary of Ireland circa 1295 – 1313. It was the centre of his estates. The castle and lands went by inheritance to the Dwnn family and the estate devolved upon one Joan Dwnn “The Golden Daughter” in the 1460s. In 1491 Joan married Sir Thomas Philipps of Cilsant in Carmarthenshire

Thus since the 1490s Picton has been the centre of the Philipps family’s estates. 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.

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). They were also Patrons of the arts and for generations supplied Pembrokeshire with Sherriffs, Justices of the Peace, Lord Lieutenants and MP’s.

The castle remained the centre of the Philipps family’s operations in Pembrokeshire up until the end of the 20th century. The Honourable Hanning Philipps and his wife Lady Marion Philipps were that last members of the family to live in the castle and they were the ones who gifted the castle, its collections and gardens to The Picton Castle Trust in 1987 (Registered Charity No 519693). The charity created by this generous gift is charged with preserving this important part of our heritage and with encouraging access for the benefit of the people of Wales.