Overview
Surrounded by a spectacular 40 acre RHS Partner Garden, Picton Castle originated in the 13th century, with a splendid Georgian wing added in the 1790s.
A treasured family home for over 700 years, the elegant rooms feature magnificent fireplaces by Sir Henry Cheere, and fine works of art, including the controversial ‘Picton Renoir’.
Picton Castle is a most unusual ancient building, as it is a fully developed medieval castle that was transformed into a stately home in the 18th century. From the outside with its four symmetrically spaced half round towers and gatehouse entrance flanked by two narrower towers it is based upon patterns of Irish castles of the period and is the only one of this type in the mainland UK.
As soon as you enter the Castle 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.
Opening
2020
November to March: Daily, 10am to 4pm, tours at noon, 1pm; closed 24 to 26 Dec, 1 Jan.
April to October: Daily, 9am to 5pm, tours 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm.
Find us
Ordnance Survey Ref: SN011 135, 2 miles South of the A40.
Follow the brown tourist signs to Picton Castle that are located on the A40 approx 3 miles East of Haverfordwest.
Haverfordwest offers the nearest bus and train station.
Admission
Historic House members visit for free.
ENTRY PRICES 2018 – Main Season
Prices exclude entry to the Secret Owl Garden. Please visit https://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/the-secret-owl-garden for further details.
Garden Entry & Castle Tour
Adults: £10.00
Senior Citizens: (60 & over) £9.00
Children: (5 – 15) £5.00
Under 5: Free
Garden Only
Adults £7.00
Senior Citizens (60 and over): £6.00
Children (5 – 16) £4.00
Under 5’s : free
Family Day Pass: (Castle Tour, Gardens and Gallery) 2 adults and 2 children
£24.50
For information on Season Tickets please visit our website page https://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/tickets/season-tickets
Accessibility
- Guide dogs welcome
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible parking
- Accessible toilets
Group Visits
We offer reductions for pre-booked groups of 10 or more and special Christmas tours. We have ample free parking for coaches and cars.
Our restaurant is available for groups to use as required but pre-booking is recommended.
Please contact Mr Dai Evans for more information on group visits or follow this link for further details: https://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/tickets/group-tours
info@pictoncastle.co.uk / 01437 751326
Please check the website for further information, admission times and details for our special events
Visit websiteWeddings
The Castle
One of the ‘Top 10 Fairytale Castles’ to say ‘I Do’ in, Picton Castle offers one of the most beautiful and romantic locations for your wedding celebrations. Situated in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and surrounded by 40 acres of gardens, the stunning interiors of this rare 13th-century castle are famous for their Georgian elegance and original contents.
The Day
On the day, the historic main gates will be opened. Bridal couples have shown lots of imagination in booking their wedding transport from horse-drawn vehicles to helicopters! Our dedicated team will be on hand to greet early guests.
The State Rooms
For your musical accompaniment you are welcome to use our beautiful Steinway grand piano. The acoustics in the Great Hall are perfect.
With its Minstrel’s Gallery, this elegant room can accommodate up to 100 guests for your celebration. For more intimate occasions the Regency or White and Gold Drawing Rooms are also available. The reception is held in the state rooms of the castle.
Marquees
The marquee site is on the sheltered North Lawn of the castle which opens onto the castle lawns and provides an enchanting atmosphere for your special day, and a lovely backdrop for photographs.
Wedding Transport
Choose anything from horse-drawn carriages to helicopters for your arrival!
The Food
Catering is provided by our in-house Restaurant. Maria’s passion for food begins with selecting the best quality local ingredients, and she and her team will be delighted to design you a personalised menu.
Marquees
The marquee site for your reception, if required, is on the sheltered North Lawn which provides an enchanting atmosphere for your special day, and a lovely backdrop for photographs.
The Great Hall
This elegant room, with its Minstrel’s Gallery, can accommodate up to 100 guests for your celebration.
Accommodation
East and West Lodges
The Adventure Playground
Visitors Garden
Corporate Hire
Corporate events
Picton’s magnificent setting, excellent catering and fully equipped meeting rooms combine to create an inspiring location for any corporate event.
The castle can be booked for exclusive use, or you can book just part of the castle for your event.
The Great Hall and Dining Room are available during the daytime for boardroom style meetings for up to 24 participants, or small theatre-style presentations or conferences for up to 50 delegates.
The Conference Rooms are located in the Castle Courtyard and benefit from level access. The rooms are The Lecture Theatre, Picton Room and Picton Gallery with ample parking and catering available on site.
Picton is the perfect place to bring your team, whether to encourage free thought, galvanise ideas or celebrate success. We can offer everything you’ll need – from activity team building days in the gardens; a unique venue for product launches, exhibitions, meetings and conferences; champagne receptions and fine dining.
Opening
2020
November to March: Daily, 10am to 4pm, tours at noon, 1pm; closed 24 to 26 Dec, 1 Jan.
April to October: Daily, 9am to 5pm, tours 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm.
Find us
Ordnance Survey Ref: SN011 135, 2 miles South of the A40.
Follow the brown tourist signs to Picton Castle that are located on the A40 approx 3 miles East of Haverfordwest.
Haverfordwest offers the nearest bus and train station.
Admission
Historic House members visit for free.
ENTRY PRICES 2018 – Main Season
Prices exclude entry to the Secret Owl Garden. Please visit https://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/the-secret-owl-garden for further details.
Garden Entry & Castle Tour
Adults: £10.00
Senior Citizens: (60 & over) £9.00
Children: (5 – 15) £5.00
Under 5: Free
Garden Only
Adults £7.00
Senior Citizens (60 and over): £6.00
Children (5 – 16) £4.00
Under 5’s : free
Family Day Pass: (Castle Tour, Gardens and Gallery) 2 adults and 2 children
£24.50
For information on Season Tickets please visit our website page https://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/tickets/season-tickets
Accessibility
- Guide dogs welcome
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible parking
- Accessible toilets
Group Visits
We offer reductions for pre-booked groups of 10 or more and special Christmas tours. We have ample free parking for coaches and cars.
Our restaurant is available for groups to use as required but pre-booking is recommended.
Please contact Mr Dai Evans for more information on group visits or follow this link for further details: https://www.pictoncastle.co.uk/tickets/group-tours
info@pictoncastle.co.uk / 01437 751326
Other opening
The Welsh Owl Garden
The Welsh Owl Garden is open permanently here at Picton Castle and Gardens throughout the whole year. Located in the beautiful Bluebell woods, there are currently 26 species of owls and other exotic birds on display. Entrance to the Welsh Owl Garden is included with garden admission, and season ticket holders, along with other membership holders, can access the Owl Garden for free!
From Easter there will be daily flying displays in both a dedicated glade in the woodland and on the lawn in front of the Castle. Throughout the winter all of the birds are being trained to their new surroundings so each day you have a very good chance of seeing how these magnificent birds and their handlers hone their skills.
Find out more
Picton Shop
Nestled in a corner of our courtyard is the Picton Gift Shop where you can enjoy browsing books on Wales, architecture, history, countryside and wildlife, gardening and cookery and a delightful selection of quality gifts, games, toys and souvenirs to suit all tastes and budgets including a wide range of gifts and pocket money toys for the younger members of the family.
Picton Castle Nursery plants are on sale in the courtyard – all proceeds go towards conserving and developing these wonderful gardens. Many thanks to the garden team and garden volunteers for making this possible! If you are a season ticket holder there is now 10% off all gift shop and plant sales. We look forward to welcoming you to Picton this summer.
Find out more
Mansion of Mystery Escape Rooms
Picton Castle is now home to The Time Machine – Pembrokeshire’s most inventive escape room game. Inspired by H G Wells’ famous scientific adventure,our Time Machine is a fast-moving adventure in history, time and space for two to six players.
The year is 1895 and Professor Cornelius Cogworthy has invented a most marvellous machine for travelling through time. Now dastardly foreign spies are after his secrets and, to save them,he has hidden the plans somewhere in the past.
Your team’s task is to locate the missing blueprints….. and make your escape. . . back to the future!
Housed in the former Bachelors’ Quarters, where Victorian aristocrats once housed single gentlemen away from the temptation of the ladies’ bedrooms, a visit to our unique escape room is best booked in advance through our website www.mansionofmystery.com. Late bookings may also be available on the day but cannot be guaranteed.
Find out more
Picton Castle & Gardens's history and features
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.
Find out more here
Things to See
The Secret Owl Garden
Our Extensive Herb Garden with specimens from all over the world
The Regency Dining Room where the Queen and Prince Philip dined in 2014
The Picton Renoir
Fun Facts
The ‘Picton Renoir’ was the subject of the BBC's gripping programme "Fake or Fortune”. The programme received a record 5.9 million viewers and unprecedented social media response to the final verdict. The 'Picton Renoir' remains within the Castle and can be viewed when taking a Tour.