Our History

For over 750 years, Upton Castle has watched over the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside. From its beginnings as a medieval Norman stronghold to the peaceful gardens visitors enjoy today, its story is one of change, survival and careful restoration.

The castle was built during the 13th century, probably by the Malefant family, on a site believed to have been used for early Celtic Christian worship. At the time, these stone fortifications were among the most advanced military buildings in Britain, helping the Normans secure this important part of South Pembrokeshire.

Although the castle has changed considerably over the centuries, much of its medieval heart remains. Three of the original towers still stand alongside the Great Hall, where the original 13th-century fireplace, window openings and spiral stone staircases that once led to the battlements can still be seen today.

As life became more peaceful, the castle gradually became a family home rather than a fortress. It passed from the Malefants to the Bowen family in the 16th century, before changing hands again in the 18th century.

Among those who called Upton Castle home was Virginia Woolf's aunt, giving the castle a unique literary connection. Virginia Woolf is known to have visited her family nearby at Manorbier, and, given how close she remained to her relatives, it is widely believed that she also spent time at Upton Castle. It is a fascinating link between one of Britain's greatest writers and the castle's long history.

During the 19th century, new towers and a glazed gallery were added, giving the castle much of the character it has today while preserving its medieval core.

One of the most significant chapters in Upton's story began in 1927, when Stanley Neale purchased the estate. He transformed the grounds by clearing scrub and undergrowth, building the beautiful stone terraces and planting an extraordinary collection of exotic trees and shrubs. Many of the trees, gardens and woodland walks visitors enjoy today are the result of his vision.

In 2006, Upton Castle was sold for only the third time in around 750 years, when Stephen and Prue Barlow began the ongoing restoration and conservation of both the castle and its gardens, ensuring this remarkable estate can be enjoyed by future generations.

The estate has also attracted the attention of archaeologists. The medieval chapel featured on Time Team, where excavations uncovered Norman ridge tiles, fragments of stained glass and even a 12th-century burial, revealing that people had lived and worshipped here long before much of the present castle was built.

Today, while the castle itself is not open to the public for conservation reasons, visitors can admire its impressive medieval walls from the gardens, explore the historic chapel, wander through the traditional walled and rose gardens, and follow woodland paths through the Celtic temperate rainforest to the shores of the Cleddau Estuary.

Every path, every garden and every stone tells part of Upton Castle's story. We invite you to come and discover over seven centuries of history for yourself.