Manorbier Castle
An introduction to Manorbier Castle
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Manorbier Castle - Sleeps 12 plus a cot.
Manorbier is a medieval walled castle, some 900 years old. One of few private castles available for letting, it is at the mouth of a wild valley by the sea in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Across the way is the isolated old church and beyond the outer bailey is the village. This has a shop and the Castle Arms pub with fire and good beer. A nearby small hotel has a good restaurant. This magnificent section of coast has cliff walks and a sandy beach a hundred yards below the castle. The seaside town of Tenby is a few miles east, and Pembroke a few miles west. There is a lot to see and do in the area, but most will want to spend as much time as possible in the castle.
Many books have been written on Manorbier and there are many websites full of pictures. Perhaps the most succinct comment is from the 12th century: “The most pleasant place in all the broadlands of Wales.” It really is difficult to know where to start. This is a big place and building. Although it is open during the day to visitors from Easter to September and during October school holidays, the house and garden are private. The inner bailey has flowers and shrub beds against the old vaulted chapel, keep, towers and well preserved walls. The house is partly within 12th century rooms and partly on and of old structures altered in the 17th and 19th centuries, and so is of different levels, with its own courtyard garden. There is nothing quite like shutting yourself in the whole castle, wandering amongst the walls, climbing the towers and knowing you have the whole place to yourself. Manorbier is romantic, fascinating and beautiful. This has long been an admired and unique holiday house. Now further improved, it must be one of the most exceptional and wonderful places to stay in all Britain.
Accommodation:
Once through the outer bailey, you pick up the keys to the great gate of the inner bailey & to the house built against the walls.
The entrance is up steps to a large sitting room, looking over the bailey. This room has good quality furniture, high ceilings, and long window seats. TV & video.
A flying walkway leads to a room with king sized double bed in the medieval gatehouse, with its own shower room and a WC in the thickness of old walls.
At the other end of the sitting room are two pretty, newly redecorated bedrooms, and two new bathrooms, one en suite. One has twin beds, the other a double bed.
Stairs go up to an attic twin bedded room or down to the dining room, with a fine table (seats 12).
French windows lead to a private high walled garden with the chalet placed within high walls at the end. The chalet has twin beds, bunks, and shower room. Although with electric heating - the chalet is not up to the standard of the main house. The kitchen has vinyl floor, modern units, & breakfast table. Electric range style cooker, microwave, 2 fridges, freezer, dishwasher. The utility has sink, washing machine, drier. Garden WC. Oil fired central heating. Patio area & garden furniture. Since there are walls and towers, children should be supervised outside the house. Cot & high chair available. Private catering possible. Dogs allowed out of season. The house & garden make a fascinating and private retreat within the great castle, hidden from seasonal castle visitors.
The castle is in surprisingly good state of repair, largely due to the fact that it was only attacked twice in its history, and neither of these were major assaults. The first was in 1327; Richard de Barri launched an assault to claim what was rightfully his. The second assault took place in 1645, when the castle was captured by Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads. In the late 19th century the castle was leased by a Mr J R Cobb, who is responsible for the restoration of the southern section, as well as the construction of the modern house.
The castle is a unique and romantic venue that is pefect for weddings.
Weddings - civil ceremonies - can be held here as the castle is licensed, so is available for both the wedding and the reception.
The wedding planner is Nicola Dent at nicoladent@thehaggard.co.uk
Tariff 2009: | Date | £ |
| Jan 3 to Feb 7 | 1419 |
| Feb 14 ** | 1645 |
| Feb 21,28, Mar 7,14 | 1419 |
| Mar 21,28 | 1419 |
| Apr 4,11 | 2150 |
| Apr 18,25 | 2101 |
| May 2,9,16 | 1986 |
| May 23 ** | 2150 |
| May 30, Jun 6,13 | 2101 |
| Jun 20,27 | 2101 |
| Jul 4 | 2150 |
| Jul 11,18,25 | 2805 |
| Aug 1,8,15,22 | 2805 |
| Aug 29 | 2150 |
| Sep 5,12,19,26 | 2101 |
| Oct 3,10,17 | 1986 |
| Oct 24 ** | 2140 |
| Oct 31 to Dec 12 | 1986 |
| Dec 20 (Sun) | 2260 |
| Dec 27 (Sun) | 2805 |
| ** denotes Half-Term |