Already famous for its outstanding beauty, history and coastal scenery, Pembrokeshire boasts a breathtakingly beautiful garden where the temperate climate encourages the development of many rare and exotic trees and plants from around the globe.
Providing a show of vibrant colours, enchanting perfumes, and stunning vistas, Picton Castle and Gardens is one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Great Gardens of West Wales and is truly a garden for all seasons. Much like the castle building itself, the magical gardens of Picton are a fusion over many centuries of different gardening styles and periods and always a pleasure to behold.
With more than 40 acres of informal woodlands, walks, extensive lawns, a scented walled garden and a Mediterranean garden, along with one of the largest private collection of plants in Wales which has afforded it the honour of becoming an RHS Partner Garden. Picton is also home to dozens of rare, endangered conifers from as far away as Taiwan and Australia, keeping species alive as their natural habitat declines.
A beautiful hybrid, Picton’s Castle originated in the 13th century with a splendid Georgian wing added in the 1790s. A treasured family home for over 700 years, guided tours commence in the medieval castle, elegantly re-modeled with fine plasterwork and featuring magnificent fireplaces by Sir Henry Cheere, through to the White and Gold Drawing Room with its opulent French furnishings, then down to the Victorian kitchen collection and finishing in the 13th century vaulted undercroft.
Centred on the Victorian courtyard are the Picton Art Galleries, a quality Gift Shop, The Lumsden Collection of Antique and Vintage Lawnmowers and popular Deli and Restaurant ‘Marias@Picton’ which catered for HRH Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to Picton in 2014. Maria also appeared on BBC1 in June of this year, cooking one of her traditional Spanish dishes for Celebrity Chef Nigel Slater.
Picton Castle and Gardens has also become well known for hosting concerts, weddings and corporate events alongside annual events such as its Spring Plant and Craft Fair, the summer Country Fair, a whole week of Halloween events and activities, plus Christmas Markets, Antiques and Wedding Fayres.
Being the ancestral home of celebrated artist Nicky Philipps, there is also a very active Art Group based at Picton. Nicky was seen on the BBC in July when the ‘Picton Renoir/ was featured in their new series of ‘Fake or Fortune’. The Renoir is hanging in the Castle and can be viewed when visiting the Castle.
In the run-up to Christmas, larger groups can enjoy Picton Castle in all its festive glory and experience the magic of a Victorian Christmas.Arriving via the beautiful main drive to the historic forecourt in front of the 13th Century Medieval Castle, they are given a special tour of the magnificent staterooms beautifully dressed in Victoriana style and led by Director Dai Evans who is a fount of information about the traditions of festivities at that time! With Christmas trees, garlands, twinkling lights and a welcoming log fire in the Great Hall, visitors enjoy mulled wine and mince pies in the elegant Regency Dining Room where the table is laid for a sumptuous Victorian Christmas Feast – always a huge hit! For more information:-
EMail: info@pictoncastle.co.uk
Open 10.00am – 5.00pm Daily
30 March to 31 October 2015
Picton Castle Trust | The Rhos | Haverfordwest | Pembrokeshire | SA62 4AS
Registered Charity No 519693
