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Picton castle gardens.

A medieval castle enriched with Georgian creativity.

Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4AS

Experience this house

• Accessible loos
• Accessible parking
• Cafe / restaurant
• Facilities for children
• Free parking
• Mostly wheelchair accessible
• Parkland / open spaces
• Pet friendly
• Picnic area
• Guide dogs welcome
• Wheelchair ramps/routes
• Accessible toilets

Surrounded by a spectacular 60 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.

Please note:  The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.

November to March: Daily, 10am to 4pm, closed 24 to 26 Dec, 1 Jan.

April to October: Daily, 9am to 5pm

Historic Houses members visit for free and do not need to pre-book. Guided tours of the castle can only be booked on arrival at the ticket office, so arrive early to avoid disappointment if possible.

Getting here

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.

Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip visited the Castle for lunch in 2014. Picton's Head Gardener recalls anextraordinary feeling of seeing such a familiar face in real life. He assumed she would be seven foot tall - she’s not! On her last visit, in the 1960's, the Queen liked the curtains in our White and Gold Drawing Room so much, similar ones were commissioned for the Palace of Holyrood.

Castell Pictwn, Hwlffordd

Mae hwn wedi bod yn gartref teuluol arbennig dros 700 mlynedd, ac mae’r ystafelloedd hardd yn cynnwys lleoedd tân godidog gan Syr Henry Cheere, a gweithiau celf cain, gan gynnwys y ‘Renoir Pictwn’ dadleuol.

Mae Castell Pictwn yn adeilad hynafol anarferol iawn, gan ei fod yn gastell canoloesol gwreiddiol a drawsnewidiwyd yn gartref urddasol yn y 18fed ganrif. O’r tu allan gyda’i bedwar tŵr hanner crwn wedi’u gosod yn gymesur a dau dŵr culach o boptu mynedfa’r porthdy, mae’n seiliedig ar batrymau cestyll Gwyddelig y cyfnod a dyma’r unig un o’r math hwn ar dir mawr y DU.

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Pembrokeshire's official website for tourism information

Language English Cymraeg

Picton Castle Gardens

About picton castle gardens.

Set within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Picton Castle Gardens is a 13th century castle, surrounded by 60 acres of RHS partner gardens. The castle itself is of unique design; with 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 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.

No visit to Picton is complete without a wander around the beautiful historic gardens, with 60 acres to explore there is plenty to see all year round.  Highlights include the recently restored walled garden, fernery, jungle garden and ancient trees, giving a feeling of being transported to another time and place. There are impressive collections of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias to brighten up every corner of the gardens, and a mixture of exotic and indigenous planting can be found throughout the grounds.

To keep little ones busy, there are adventures to be had around every corner. The bamboozalem, maze and playground provide opportunities for grown-ups to have a rest! Hunt for the fairy doors in Peach House Wood, discover our new wildlife garden, or climb the branches of our huge western red cedar, we encourage children to explore the gardens and saviour every moment of being outside.

For a welcome break, Maria’s courtyard restaurant serves the most delicious Spanish themed food, along with lunch time staples such as paninis, sandwiches and baguettes. There is always a tempting selection of cakes to choose from, and the best coffee in Pembrokeshire!

Picton is also home to The Welsh Owl Garden and Zoo, which houses many species of birds of prey, small mammals and reptiles. During the summer months there are daily handling sessions for children and flying displays on the castle’s north lawn, definitely not to be missed!

With the gift shop, art galleries, heritage centre and lawnmower exhibition, a full day out can be enjoyed at Picton Castle Gardens.

Additional Information

Open all year.

Daily except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.

April to October- 10 am to 5.00 pm

November to March- 10am to 4pm

Price Info:

Admission Fees:

April to October

Adults £14.50

Seniors (over 65) £12.50

Children (5-15) £7

Families (2 adults and 2 children) £39.50

November to March

Admission to the gardens is half price

Season Passes

Seniors £40

Children £24

Families (2 adults and 4 children) £95

All admission fees include access to the castle* and The Welsh Owl Garden and Zoo

Guided tours (subject to availability):

Children £4

*A selection of rooms are available to view without purchasing a guided tour. The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes and allows participants to see other areas of the castle not on show to the public.

Facilities:

• Baby Changing
• Bottle Warming
• Childrens meals
• Disabled Access
• Disabled Toilet
• Groups welcome
• Open All Year
• Parking (free)
• Pembrokeshire Produce
• VAQAS - Visit Wales - Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme
• Wet Weather attraction

Accessibility

Accessibilty.

• There are 3 wheelchairs on site, which are available free of charge. Please inquire at the Ticket Office upon arrival.
• There are two disabled toilets on site – located in the toilet block near the Courtyard entrance, and the toilet block near the walled garden.
• The grounds are approximately 80% accessible to wheelchair users.
• The castle is mostly accessible to wheelchair users and less able visitors.
• Our Gift Shop, Galleries and Restaurant are all accessible
• Disabled parking is available in the main car park

Accreditations

Privacy Overview

Picton Castle & Gardens

• Haverfordwest

Attraction information

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• Cater For Groups
• Children Welcome
• Mobility Accessibility Facilities
• Pets Accepted

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You are here: Things To Do > Picton Castle & Gardens

Book Tickets Online

Built in the 13th century by Sir John Wogan, his direct descendants still use the Castle as their family home. The medieval castle was modernised in the 1750s above the undercroft and extended around 1790 with fine Georgian interiors.

The 40 acres of walled and woodland gardens are part of the Royal Horticultural Society access scheme for beautiful gardens. There is a unique collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, mature trees, unusual shrubs, wild flowers, fern walk, fernery, maze, restored dew pond, a herb collection labelled with medicinal remedies and a children's nature trail.

The Woodland Gardens around Picton Castle extend to about 40 acres. There is a maze planted in 1992 and also a picnic area.

Book Tickets

Guide prices.

Gardens ticket- Adults £9.00 Seniors £8.00 Children (5-15) £6.00 Families (2 adults and 2 children) £27.00 Children under 5 FREE Carers FREE Castle Tours If you wish to purchase a castle tour, this can be done in the gift shop upon arrival. Adults £6 Children (5-15) £4 Please be aware, a gardens ticket is required in order to book a castle tour. Castle tours cannot be booked online at present. Gardens Winter admission prices: Gardens ticket- Adults £4.50 Seniors £4.00 Children (5-15) £3.00 Families (2 adults and 2 children) £14.00 Children under 5 FREE Carers FREE

Visit the website for more information

• Free Parking

Map & Directions

View Map and Directions

Road Directions

Picton Castle is located 2 miles south-east of Haverfordwest off the A40. Follow the brown tourist signs that are located on the A40 approx 3 miles east of Haverfordwest. Sat Nav - use SA62 4AS.

Accessible by Public Transport: Haverfordwest station is 5 miles away.

Picton Castle & Gardens

Type: castle.

Visit Website

Call direct on:

Tel 01437 751326

Opening Times

* Picton Castle Gardens is open all year round with the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day. The gardens may be closed on occasion due to adverse weather conditions, we advise you to check back here before you visit. Summer opening hours: The gardens are open from 10.00 am- 5.00 pm daily. The castle is accessible by guided tour only. The tours will normally run at 11.00 am, 12 noon, 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm. Winter opening hours: The gardens are open from 10.00 am- 4.00 pm daily (Tour times to be confirmed)

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Picton Castle, Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire)

Updated: Sep 2, 2021

It's been over two years since we've been here last and now that Coops is a little older and the price of the owl garden is in the entry fee, we definitely won't be leaving it as long next time

What's in Picton Castle?

I feel that the name of this place is somewhat misleading - as I remember expecting some old ruins like Carew or Pembroke castle, but the 'castle' is still intact and more like a mansion than a castle in my opinion! However, the Castle Mansion isn't the main attraction if you're heading to Picton Castle with a Mini Human and in this blog I'll take you through what we enjoyed most.

JUNGLE BOARDWALK

If you turn right after entering Picton Castle, you'll come to the Jungle Boardwalk. This is a wide balance beam that is longer than you'll expect, taking you through the trees. Although this is wider than a balance beam you'd have in a park for example, it's not a boardwalk that's wide enough for a pram. You can walk alongside it if you happen to be as big of a stress head as my father!!

At the end of the Jungle Boardwalk there's a climbing wall and two tree houses with a slide. This is the only play area as such and Picton Castle is more about exploring in trees and bushes than playing on swings and slides.

There's a hedged maze alongside the boardwalk. It's easy enough to navigate around as it's quite small - but word of warning, it is VERY muddy and is definitely a walk for wellies. You CAN get a pram through here, but as you can see, you wheels will get very muddy!!

There are so many different areas to explore at Picton Castle and different gardens all around the main grounds. The walled gardens are lovely and if you're more green fingered than I am I'm sure you'll appreciate all of the flowers and plants that they have there. Our favourite area was the Peep-In Gardens as it had a real jungle feel to it and the boys enjoyed hiding in the trees!!

I'm pretty sure that the fairground is seasonal but if you're heading there before the end of the summer they do have a helter skelter and some fairground stalls on the North Lawn by the castle; this is the only thing you need money for in the grounds (unless you're planning on doing the castle tour. Thanks to Sioned for capturing this shot - much to my dismay, Coops was just short of the white line so he had to have an adult come down with him! I can confirm that my hips definitely do not lie and we were only just narrow enough to get to the bottom!! Plus, my heart was going walking up those steps - I never used to be scared of heights!

MINI ZOO/OWL GARDEN

They've definitely added some animals to this area since I was here last as I'm pretty sure it was only owls and some birds last time. This area is now also included in the entry ticket price which I think was a good decision on their part as I can remember thinking the whole thing was a little expensive last time I went; I didn't feel that way this time. The new animals there have here now are skunks, spider monkeys, a python, an otter, iguanas and tortoises. They also have a schedule of events on the hour like meet the mammal or large bird flying show! There was a big tepee in the middle of the mini zoo if you're looking for somewhere to shelter or picnic!

CASTLE TOURS

We didn't do the castle tour this time (although this is definitely the kind of thing I would enjoy doing!) The cost of the guided tour is £6 for adults and £4 for children over 5. Maybe something to do on a wetter and colder day!

FAIRY TRAIL

We completely missed this and only noticed it was there on our way out and we stayed until closing time. So, in case you miss it too, head to the Peach Gardens for the Fairy Doors. Coops would have loved this so we'll be heading straight there when we go back for sure!

What else do I need to know?

Parking is free and there are two sets of toilets on the grounds. There's also a small catering van by the potting sheds and walled gardens as well as a really lovely cafe with great food in the courtyard. You'll find the giftshop in this area too but I purposely didn't venture in that way today as I knew Cooper would want the wooden swords that they were selling!! Dogs are allowed in the grounds but you can't take them into the Mini Zoo or on the Castle Tour. I would say that 95% of the grounds is pram friendly and I did see a scooter or two around and no signs saying that bikes/scooters weren't allowed! If I had to say a negative, I must admit that I found it disappointing that there wasn't a single bilingual sign in the whole of the grounds; I've come to expect this from Welsh attractions now. BUT, I won't finish on a negative - Picton Castle is well worth a visit and we definitely won't be leaving it so long between visits next time!

Have a scroll of some more pics that we took whilst at Picton Castle today! These boys did a fair few steps today!!

• Woodland Walk
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Wreck Tour 180: The Picton Castle

• on July 13, 2022

Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Divernet

Sixty-three Wreck Tours have passed come and gone since we visited a Castle-class trawler wreck off Dartmouth. JOHN LIDDIARD feels that enough time has passed for him to tackle another one in the same part of the world. His tour is illustrated by MAX ELLIS

BACK IN WRECK TOUR 117 , we visited the wreck of the Benton Castle off Dartmouth.

This month we return there and the nearby site of the Picton Castle , a similarly sized and constructed trawler also sunk by a mine.

As with many such wrecks the difference is in the detail, both in minor points of construction and in how it has decayed since it sank.

When I dived the Picton Castle the shotline was hooked across the wreck just aft of the bow ( 1 ), well broken and where the mine appears to have exploded.

The two survivors from the crew were standing aft and, I suspect, their report of the mine exploding amid ships was slightly inaccurate.

When a few hundred pounds of explosive detonates beneath such a small ship, a 5m difference in the location of the centre of the explosion won’t be the first thing on your mind as you are blown overboard and cling to floating wreckage.

The wreck sits on a silty seabed at 35m and is well over to port, with the port side of the deck almost in the silt, and the starboard rail at 32m.

Turning forwards past the collapsed plates of the hull ( 2 ), the wreck becomes intact again on reaching the forecastle ( 3 ).

The bow is tilted even further to port, with a mast-foot at the back, the usual pairs of bollards to either side and a small anchor-winch ( 4 ) close to the stem. Beneath the bow, the seabed is scoured to 37m.

Now turning aft, wreckage from the broken deck ( 5 ) spreads out slightly from the hull, and another scour to 37m indicates just how strongly the tide rips through the broken area of the wreck once slack water is over.

The hull and deck now gains some structure again ( 6 ). The helm ( 7 ) is located on top of a small deck-house, barely distinguishable beneath a dense covering of plumose anemones. This is surrounded by an intact railing, suggesting that the helm was originally in the open, or perhaps protected only by a small wooden shelter that is now long decayed.

Ribs sticking out on either side of this platform suggest that the main deck on either side may also have been sheltered by a wooden structure.

Continuing aft, a slightly raised section spanning the middle of the deck runs above the stoke-hold and engine-room.

An oval hole ( 8 ) marks where the funnel was attached. It is now filled with debris, but would originally have led to the forward end of the boiler.

The funnel ( 9 ) lies on the silt out from the starboard side of the wreck.

The raised section continues above the boiler, past a pair of small hatches and a tubular ventilator to a further raised skylight ( 10 ) above the engine.

The Picton Castle was fitted with an 80hp triple-expansion engine, although little is visible through the open hatches.

Behind the engine-room is a larger deckhouse ( 11 ) with the arched frames, or trawl-gallows, to either side and a doorway at the back.

Our tour is now at the stern deck of the wreck. Here a square hatch in the centre of the deck is surprisingly still covered ( 12 ).

Another mast-foot is located on the centreline, with pairs of bollards to either side.

The steering mechanism is a simple T ( 13 ). If you look closely, against the gunwales on either side are pulleys that would have routed cables from the T along the sides of the deck and forward to the helm.

Also notable is a changed pattern of deck-beams, from a grid that runs forward to a radial pattern that runs around the stern. Aft of the steering are further pairs of bollards ( 14 ).

Continuing “over” the stern, the rudderframe and an iron propeller remain in place ( 15 ), rising from the silt as another 2mdeep scour shows where the tide rips round the stern of the wreck.

Having covered the length of the wreck, a clue remains unsolved. One of the survivors, Reginald John Pearce, is listed as a deckhand acting as gunner.

So was there a gun?

I couldn’t find any sign of a gun or gun-mount on the Picton Castle or on the nearby wreck of the Benton Castle , so I suspect that there never was one in the sense of a naval gun mounted to the deck.

After a mine was swept using cables and pulled to the surface, rifle fire would have been used to detonate it.

Would it have been just a rifle that the gunner was responsible for?

With our tour over, it is time to ascend.

Returning a few metres forward along the starboard side of the deck, the starboard trawl-gallow ( 16 ) marks the shallowest point of the wreck, and a good place to release a delayed SMB for a drifting decompression.

SEPARATED IN THE FOG

THE PICTON CASTLE, trawler/minesweeper. BUILT 1911, SUNK 1917

LIKE THE NEARBY WRECK OF THE Benton Castle ( Wreck Tour 117 ), HM Trawler Picton Castle was built by Smith Dock Co Ltd of Middlesbrough. It was just one of many Castle-class trawlers in Admiralty service.

Initially the Castle name was used to represent any trawler in service originally constructed by Smith Dock, so the class covered a wider divergence of design than a typical Navy ship class.

By 1916, the Castle class had become a standard specification for trawlers of 620 tons with a crew of 26 to 32, with some 200 hulls constructed by yards as far afield as the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co of Ontario.

The Picton Castle predates such hulls, having been built in 1911 for Castle Steam Trawlers Ltd of Swansea with a displacement of only 245 tons, then hired into Admiralty service in May 1915.

The stretch of Lyme Bay leading out from the approaches to Dartmouth had become an area of constant competition between U-boats laying a minefield and Admiralty trawlers sweeping the mines.

At 4.20am on 19 February, 1917, Picton Castle and another trawler, Agnes Wickfield , left Plymouth with instructions to sweep the minefield off Dartmouth. The trawlers initially anchored up in Plymouth Sound to see whether the prevailing thick fog would clear, then proceeded for an agreed rendezvous off Dartmouth, maintaining contact by periodic blasts of their whistles.

Some time after the trawlers rounded Start Point and altered course towards Berry Head, they lost contact. The Agnes Wickfield waited at the rendezvous for a while, then headed into Dartmouth to see if the Picton Castle had done the same.

At 6.45 that evening the fate of the Picton Castle became known, when two of the crew were picked up from the water by a patrol vessel.

She had struck a mine laid by UC70 some three miles off Dartmouth.

Reginald John Pearse of Newquay, a deck-hand acting as gunner, reported that he had been standing aft when a mine exploded amidships and the Picton Castle went straight to the bottom. The remaining 12 crew did not survive.

UC70 subsequently became notable as the result of being sunk by an aircraft-dropped bomb off Whitby on 28 August, 1918 ( Wreck Tour 10 ).

GETTING THERE: From the M5 and then the A38, turn left onto the A380 and A3022 for Torquay.

HOW TO FIND IT: The GPS co-ordinates are 50 18.368 N, 003 32.255 W (degrees, minutes and decimals). The Picton Castle lies in a scour up to 5m deep on a silty seabed. The bow points to the south-east.

TIDES: Slack is three hours after or two hours before high water Dartmouth, with the best visibility being after high water.

DIVING: Jennifer Ann Website , 01803 607704

AIR: Nautique, 01803 550278 . Riviera Diving & Watersports, 01803 607135 .

ACCOMMODATION: Tor Dean Hotel, Torquay, 01803 294669 .

LAUNCHING: Slips at Paignton, Brixham and Dartmouth.

QUALIFICATIONS: An advanced air dive suitable for BSAC Dive Leader or other agencies with Advanced Nitrox & Deco Procedures.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Admiralty Chart 3315, Berry Head to Bill of Portland . Ordnance Survey Map 202, Torbay & South Dartmoor Area. World War One Channel Wrecks , by Neil Maw. Dive South Devon , by Kendall McDonald. Shipwreck Index of the British Isles Vol 1 , by Richard & Bridget Larn.

PROS: Compact enough that it can be seen all in one dive without getting too far into decompression.

CONS: Visibility can be low, especially after heavy rainfall.

DEPTH : 20-35m

Thanks to Steve Mackay and Andy Micklewright.

PDF Version of The Picton Castle

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This week, it looks like DPV manufacturer ScubaJet has begun insolvency proceedings. PADI has distributed half a million dollars in their Project Aware campaign. Dorset coastguard have called off the search for a missing diver. And the Pearl Fleet has commented on a viral video of a shark-dive that didn’t go so well https://taucher.net/diveinside-insolvency_proceedings_at_scubajet-kaz9246 https://divernet.com/scuba-news/conservation/padi-aware-distributes-500k-in-mission-hub-grants/ https://www.scubadivermag.com/raid-launches-ots-full-face-mask-programme/ https://www.scubadivermag.com/dorset-coastguard-call-off-search-for-diver/ https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/search-for-diver-off-dorset-stood-down/ https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/pearl-fleet-hits-back-as-maldives-shark-dive-slammed/ Diving Into The Darkness Link: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/mzsd Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join Gear Purchases: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR WEBSITES Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/scubadivermag TWITTER: https://twitter.com/scubadivermag INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/scubadivermagazine We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel. The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

Missing Diver Search Called Off #scuba #news #podcast

@preethasebastian8921 Sharks and Yum Yum Yellow. What are your thoughts? #askmark #scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver LINKS Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join Gear Purchases: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR WEBSITES Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/scubadivermag TWITTER: https://twitter.com/scubadivermag INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/scubadivermagazine We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel. The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

Are Sharks Attracted to the Colour Yellow? #AskMark

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My grandfather was one of the crew killed

There’s a ship with the same name and history as this one, except she didn’t sink but was found in (Norway?) by Captain D. Moreland as a rusting hull worthy of a new life and converted to a circumnavigating barque. She’s still floating and going to sea (I sailed on her!), so I’m a tad confused…

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Follow Picton Castle Through The Panama Canal

Although we’re not quite certain yet which day Picton Castle will transit the Panama Canal (tentatively scheduled for Friday June 23, 2023, but not confirmed), it will be an exciting day and you can follow the ship’s passage through this marvel of modern engineering. 

Picton Castle is usually scheduled for a daytime transit, which means an early morning for the crew so the ship can arrive at the first lock at sunrise or shortly thereafter.  The transit will take the full day, arriving on the Pacific Ocean side of the Panama Canal in the late afternoon/evening. 

There are three sets of locks that Picton Castle will pass through and each set has a webcam.  The first set of locks are the Gatun Locks.  Once through those locks, Picton Castle will pass through a large freshwater lake that feeds the Canal system called Gatun Lake, then a narrow section called the Culebra Cut.  On the other side of the lake and the cut, the ship will pass through the Pedro Miguel Locks, then finally the Miraflores Locks.  Together these locks raise and lower ships 26 metres and make it possible to get between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without having to go all the way around Cape Horn. 

If you’d like to watch Picton Castle ’s progress, here is a link to the Panama Canal Authority’s webcams: https://multimedia.panama-canal.com/ Picton Castle will pass through in this order: Gatun Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, Miraflores Locks.

Group and School Visits

School visits.

Picton Castle Gardens is a truly unique place, and we are able to offer free educational trips to council maintained Pembrokeshire schools. The castle itself has a rich history, dating back to 1280, it is the only castle of its kind on U.K. soil and our wonderful gardens provide the perfect location for interactive outdoor learning sessions. We offer a range of educational packages, including history, art and outdoor learning sessions that link with the new Welsh curriculum. We have different activities and packages for all key stage groups and are happy to adapt teaching to the needs of your pupils. Sessions are delivered by our heritage and education officer Kate Barrett.

We offer a range of educational experiences for schools, designed to be fully supportive of the Welsh National Curriculum. Developed and delivered by our Education Officer (a fully qualifier teacher). Topics offered range from pre-school to Key Stage 3 and include outdoor learning. We can offer prepared topics including:

• Medieval Life in a Welsh Castle (Key Stage 2)
• Working Life in Victorian Picton (Key Stage 1)
• Cesar Picton – Black History in Pembrokeshire (Key Stage 4)
• Wildlife, bio-diversity & outdoor Learning (Key Stages 1 & 2)

Topics can be adapted to different key stages and can be adapted to your own curriculum needs.

We can also offer a rolling programme of activities. We delighted to have been able to work with Ysgol Bro-Gwaun for the last couple of years with bi-weekly visits from the school as part of their enrichment programme.

All visits to are free to council maintained schools.

Please contact our Education Officer, Kate at [email protected] or 01437 751326 for more details.

Group bookings

Picton Castle Trust welcomes pre-booked groups and offers reduced rates for groups of 20 or more. Please note that the group offer reduction cannot be used alongside any other discount, promotion or membership card.

If arriving by coach you can access the estate via our main drive and park on the historic castle carriageway, where there is level entry to the castle and access to the gardens.

We offer several options, with a choice of added extras:

Option 1: Group Admission 

• Cost – £11.25 pp 
• Members of the group may enjoy the gardens at their leisure.
• Includes access to the castle from 1.30pm-4.30pm daily. (Very occasionally the castle may be closed, please check in advance).

Option 2: Group Admission with guided tour of the castle

• Cost – £15.50 pp 
• Tour Times 11am, 12pm, 2pm and/or 3pm. Larger groups may require more than one tour. The t our  is a pprox. 50 minutes.

Option 3:  Group Admission with guided tour of the garden 

• Cost – £15.50 pp
• Tour Times 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Larger groups may require more than one tour. The garden tour is approximately 50 minutes.

Option 4 – Exclusive castle tour and garden tour

• Cost – £21.25 pp
• Castle tours available at 11am, 12pm or 2pm, 3pm
• Garden tours available at 11am, 12pm or 2pm, 3pm (subject to availability).

Winter prices (1st November to the last day of February)

• Option 1 – £11.25 
• Option 2 – £6.25 

Please note that the castle is usually closed from 23rd December – last day of January. 

Specialist tours, including Garden tours and Christmas themed tours are available on request, please call 01437 751326 or email [email protected] to enquire.

Our booking form can be downloaded here – Picton Castle Group Visits Booking Form 2024

Please complete the booking form and return it to:  [email protected] or post to Picton Castle Gardens, The Rhos, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4AS

Final group numbers are due no later than 3 days prior to your visit. An invoice will be sent immediately with this information and payment must be made in one single transaction at least one day prior to your arrival. BACS is preferred or a PayPal link can be emailed on request. Unfortunately, we cannot take card payments over the phone. Cheques are to be made payable to: The Picton Castle Trust.

What our visitors think…

‘To all the staff who looked after us on our visit to Picton on Thursday 8th September this year. Thank you all for making our visit memorable from the grand style arrival on the Castle Forecourt, the guided tour of the castle and the chance to wander and enjoy the peace, beauty and interest of the lovely grounds and gardens. Such an email would not be complete without more thanks, this time to Maria for the coffee and teacakes provided on our arrival and the tasty Courtyard Lunch served just before our departure. Please extend our thanks to her and her staff. The whole experience was brilliant.’

Mrs S Evans (Surrey)

Catering for your Group

Maria’s specialises in individually prepared home cooked dishes in our famous Courtyard Restaurant. There are options for pre-booked lunches on request.

Group Menu 2024

Payment to be made in the restaurant on the day. 

Booking your tour

Please email [email protected] for more information, or call 01437 751 326. 

• The Gardens
• Visitor Information
• Location and Maps
• Picton Online Shop
• Refreshments at Picton
• Annual Admission
• Less Abled Visitors
• Things to Do