One of the great castles of Wales. Arnulf of Montgomery fortified this rocky promontory in 1093; William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, rebuilt it in stone from 1189, including the round great keep, 23 metres tall with walls up to six metres thick at the base. In 1457 Margaret Beaufort gave birth here to Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII. In the Civil War the castle held out for Parliament, then changed sides in 1648 and fell to Cromwell after a seven-week siege. It was slighted and left to decay until restorations in 1880 and from 1928.
It is the largest privately owned castle in Wales, run by a trust, and open daily. Free guided tours run several times a day. Allow time for the Dungeon Tower and the steps down into Wogan Cavern. Admission is charged.