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Around Pembrokeshire
Haverfordwest
This ancient county town of Pembrokeshire is ideally placed as a base for exploring the whole of Pembrokeshire. The 13th century castle which has been the home of the Phillips family dominates the town.
There is a wide range of shops and facilities and a delightful riverside walk and shopping precinct. Outlying retail parks with free parking add to the shopping experience.
Trains connect to Carmarthen and other towns and buses operate on a regular basis.
The main road to the town has been upgraded in recent years and offers speedy access to Carmarthen, Swansea and beyond.
A visit to the castle ruins and Museum is worthwhile, then have a snack at one of the many eateries before you continue on your way. There are plenty of pubs, hotels and B&Bs in the town and vicinity.
There are plenty of car parks but in the holiday season spaces can be difficult to find.
Leisure activities such as badminton and courts and fitness suite can be found at the Haverfordwest Sports Centre on the Sir Thomas Picton School site.Golfers are catered for on an 18-hole parkland course at Haverfordwest Golf Course.
The County Showground at Withybush features an indoor karting centre and pleasure flights over Pembrokeshire are available at the small commercial Withybush Airport.
The annual Pembrokeshire County Show is held at Withybush over three days in mid-August.
Other attractions are Scolton Manor and Picton Castle and Gardens which are nearby.
Haverfordwest owes its existence to its location on the River Cleddau which today flows through the town. It was once a thriving port with coastal and foreign vessels landing cargoes including salt, iron, wines and apples. In Elizabeth I’s reign this was the second largest port in Wales and exports included coal, slates, butter, oats, wheat, barley, hides and wool.
The two surviving town fairs are both held at St Thomas Green. There’s the May Fair and the larger Portfield Fair which dates back to 1659 and is held in October.
In 1479 the town was incorporated by a charter of Edward, Prince of Wales and Lord of Haverfordwest. In 1545 Henry VIII gave Haverfordwest county status.
The town had its own Lord Lieutenant until it was merged with the county of Pembroke in 1888 and its own Member of Parliament until 1885.
From 1853, with the introduction of the railways, the town went into decline and its status as a principal port in West Wales diminished and the centuries old river trade was over.
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© ARTdesigns 2002 Page revised Monday February 13, 2006