Cresswell Castle facts for kids
Cresswell Castle is an old castle located in Pembrokeshire, south Wales. It sits on the banks of the River Cresswell, about half a mile north of a small village called Cresswell Quay. Today, the castle is on private land. It started as a fortified complex in the 1200s, built by a religious group called the Augustinian Priory of Haverfordwest.
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What is Cresswell Castle?
Cresswell Castle began as a strong stone building in the 13th century. It was designed to be a safe place, like a small fortress. Over the years, especially in the 1500s and 1600s, it was changed a lot. It became more like a home than a military fort. The castle seems to have been left empty in the late 1600s.
Exploring the Castle Site
Cresswell Castle has three main buildings. These buildings are arranged around a central courtyard. The courtyard is shaped like a rectangle, about 30 meters (100 feet) long and 20 meters (65 feet) wide. A strong curtain wall surrounds this courtyard. At each corner of the wall, there is a small round tower. The biggest of these towers was actually built to be a dovecote, a place for pigeons.
How the Castle Changed Over Time
In the 16th century, a family called the Barlows of Slebech took over the castle. They changed it into a large manor house. They also added stables for horses, beautiful gardens, and ponds for fish. The castle is built overlooking the River Cresswell. It is at the highest point where boats could travel up the river.
Visiting Cresswell Castle
Cresswell Castle is located inside the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It is about three miles north of Carew Castle and eight miles south of Llawhaden Castle. You can reach it by taking Millway Lane, which is a turn off the A4075 road. This road goes from Canaston Bridge to Pembroke. The castle is on private land right next to the River Cresswell. However, you can see it from the road. There is also a small area where a few cars can park to get a view.
