Picton Castle Gardens
Picton Castle & Gardens, The Rhos, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4AS
A 14th-century castle near Haverfordwest set in 50 acres of RHS Partner Garden, with a walled garden, Jungle Garden, fernery and ancient woodland, open all year.
Visit information checked 22 October 2026
Garden UK guide
Why visit Picton Castle Gardens?
Picton Castle & Gardens is a medieval castle with Georgian interiors, set in around 50 acres of gardens and woodland a few miles east of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. It is a Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden, and the gardens and park are listed Grade II* on the Cadw register of historic parks and gardens. The whole site is now cared for by the Picton Castle Trust, a charity.
The gardens are a mix of the formal and the wild. Start with the Walled Garden, which is listed Grade II in its own right, then explore the Jungle Garden, the Fernery and the Apothecary's Garden. Beyond them, paths lead through Peach House Woods and Peep-In Woods, past the Dew Pond and out into ancient woodland and sweeping meadows. The contrast between the enclosed Walled Garden and the open woods is a big part of the appeal.
Gardeners will find the Walled Garden and the herb planting the most useful for ideas, while the woods are a good reminder of how natural habitats can sit alongside cultivated areas. The castle opens in the afternoons, with guided tours at set times, and is home to the 'Picton Renoir' featured on the BBC's Fake or Fortune. There is a restaurant serving Spanish-Welsh food and a shop, and the site is open all year apart from a few days over Christmas and New Year. Admission can be used for re-entry over the following seven days, so you can split a visit if you are staying nearby.
What to see
- The Grade II listed Walled Garden.
- The Jungle Garden and the Fernery.
- The Apothecary's Garden.
- Peach House Woods, Peep-In Woods and the Dew Pond.
- Ancient woodland and sweeping meadows around the castle.
- The castle's Georgian interiors and circular library, open in the afternoons.
Picton Castle Gardens through the year
- spring
- The woodland walks through Peach House Woods and Peep-In Woods come into fresh leaf and flower.
- summer
- The Walled Garden and Apothecary's Garden are at their fullest, and meadows are in flower.
- autumn
- The ancient woodland colours up and there are plenty of sheltered paths for showery days.
- winter
- The gardens stay open through winter, apart from a few days at Christmas and New Year, with shorter opening hours.
The story behind the garden
Picton Castle was built at the end of the 13th or early 14th century by Sir John Wogan, Steward of Pembroke Castle and Chief Justiciar of Ireland, replacing an earlier motte. Its design was unusual, with no inner courtyard and the main building protected by projecting circular towers. Owain Glyndwr's forces attacked in 1405, and the castle was seized during the Civil War.
By the 15th century it had passed by marriage to the Dwnn family, and in 1491 Joan Dwnn married Sir Thomas Philipps of Cilsant. The Philipps family held Picton for nearly 500 years, creating its Georgian interiors and library. In 1987 the family gave the castle and gardens to the Picton Castle Trust, which has since worked to preserve and restore them and keep them open to the public all year.
Plan your visit
- Best for
- Visitors who enjoy combining a historic castle with woodland and walled-garden walks, and RHS members exploring Pembrokeshire.
- Getting there
- Picton Castle is signed from the A40 about three miles east of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire.
- Before you go
- Arrive in time for the castle's afternoon opening if you want to see inside, and note tickets allow re-entry for seven days. Check the official website for current opening times and tickets.
Questions about visiting Picton Castle Gardens
Is Picton Castle open all year?
Yes. Picton Castle & Gardens is open all year apart from a few days over Christmas and New Year, with shorter hours in winter. Check the official website for current times before you travel.
Is Picton Castle an RHS garden?
Picton Castle is an RHS Partner Garden, so RHS members can get free entry at certain times of year. It is owned and run by the Picton Castle Trust, an independent charity.
How big are the gardens at Picton Castle?
The castle is set within about 50 acres of gardens and woodland, including the Walled Garden, Jungle Garden, Fernery, Apothecary's Garden, woods and meadows. Allow at least half a day.
Can you go inside Picton Castle?
Yes. The castle opens in the afternoons, and guided tours run at a set time, subject to availability. The interiors include Georgian rooms, art, antiques and a circular library.
Garden features
Location
Picton Castle & Gardens, The Rhos, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4AS
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