Lamphey Bishops Palace — Attraction in Lamphey

The TLDR: Well maintained, great bit of history. Easy walk, brilliant views from the towers. Some of the original stair cases will not be accessible to those with mobility issues. Free all year round. Small carpark, 2 minute walk from Palace. Dogs welcome on leads. Limited signage means information is lacking out of season, when the information hut is closed.

Visited in early March in the rain, but the weather didn't ruin this at all. I really liked how well preserved the ruins are, and particularly enjoyed being able to climb the original spiral staircases to enjoy the views from higher up. Where original staircases have long since crumbled, Cadw, have added their own, meaning previously unreachable areas of the Palace are now easily accessible.

My only gripe, was the lack of information provided. Whilst there are a few information boards dotted around, I left feeling as if I hadn't learnt much regarding the history of the palace, nor the buildings within. There is a tourist information hut offering a guide book, but it is closed out of season.

Regardless, it is well worth a visit and a great way to spend...

The Bishop's Palace at Lamphey was a residence of the bishops of St. David's established before the Norman invasion, and used until the Reformation. It is likely that the earliest buildings on site were constructed of timber, although the date of this phase remains unknown. The earliest surviving masonry elements, including the limestone rubble western Old Hall and undercroft, date to the early thirteenth century. The remainder of the buildings are largely the work of the late thirteenth - earlier fourteenth century, with later alterations. There are the remains of great halls and chapels raised over basements, two gatehouses and a large barn or granary. The distinctive arcading is similar to that found at St Davids Bishop's Palace and Swansea Castle, and wall paintings are recorded within the palace. There are also extensive remains of a medieval ornamental landscape.

The Palace changed hands at the reformation and continued as a noble house into the seventeenth century, declining thereafter. In the nineteenth century, the site was laid out as a garden associated with the gleaming classical mansion constructed to...

There is free parking for maybe 10 cars just out side of the best Western Gates, looks like a layby. You walk down along the wall that is directly opposite the best western Gates to get into the grounds. Its free to enter. Large field that is well maintained (short and healthy looking). A few information boards dotted around, would of liked to have had a few more though, but it's free so I can't really complain. plenty of stairs to climb and rooms to walk around, some gorgeous architecture, if you have a keen eye you will see some beautiful little details. We was there by ourselves, we went late morning. The kids are...