Plans to turn 800-year-old former fortress in Wales into tourist attraction

An castle that has been around for more than 800 years is undergoing a £17.7m redevelopment to become a major visitor attraction in southwest Wales.

Haverfordwest Castle, a stronghold in Pembrokeshire, was first recorded in 1188 and later ordered destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in 1648 before being partially converted into a prison during the 18th century.

Several towers, the shell of the inner ward and parts of the inner keep still stand.

The castle is currently closed to the public as it undergoes restoration work, with plans to reopen in 2028.

According to Visit Pembrokeshire, the renovated visitor attraction will “tell Pembrokeshire’s fascinating story in a fun, immersive and interactive exhibition space”.

A new cafe selling locally sourced snacks and drinks, a 500-seater outdoor event space and a summer programme of shows and live music are also planned for the castle site, said Pembrokeshire Council.

The castle update is part of a regeneration project in Haverfordwest, with a refurbished Haverfordwest Museum within the Governor’s House also planned on the wider castle site.

The scheme is currently being funded by the UK Government, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Welsh Government Transforming Towns fund, with match funding from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Pembrokeshire Councillor Paul Miller said: “We are excited to see this ambitious project continue apace and this next stage brings us much closer to what will be a flagship heritage attraction, boosting not only the town’s economy but also the wider area.”

Last August, Norwich Castle’s stone keep reopened to the public following a five-year, £27.5m restoration project.

The keep at the centre of the Grade-I listed Norman castle has recreated its original floors, with great halls and lavish royal apartments restored to their 1121 layout.

The “Royal Palace Reborn” project, supported by a £13m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, first began work in 2020 with two years of delays following the pandemic and war in Ukraine.

Read more: Norwich Castle fully reopens after five year closure for £27.5m renovation