Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
The castle is home to more than half the species of bats found in
Britain, and the mill-pond attracts many different types of waders
and water-birds - especially in the autumn and winter. The castle
grounds are also home to a variety of plant species, including rare
ferns.
St David's Head
The banks and ditches of a well-preserved Iron Age Fort guard the
western tip of St David's Head. Look for the stone, circular remains
of prehistoric houses inside the fort, and also keep your eyes
peeled for porpoises out at sea. In the spring and summer there's
a spectacular display of wildflowers, and the area is great for
spotting choughs (pictured) and gannets.
Trevallen Downs,
Castlemartin Range
At the eastern end of the range, Trevallen Downs are accessible on
the Coast Path at non-firing times (phone 01646 662367 or check
www.pembrokeshireranges.com). The bunkers here are an insight
into the historic use of the range; they were constructed to allow
targets to run on the tracks between them, providing practice for
troops. Now bricked up, they provide undisturbed bat-roosts and
nesting sites for swallows.
By National Park Archaeologist
Polly Groom
As an archaeologist, I'm used to
looking after ruined buildings and
buried sites. I'm a lot less used to
looking after bats, badgers and
tree-loving lichens!
But here at the National Park Authority,
we try and take a balanced view of our
natural and cultural resources and,
wherever possible, look after both at the
same time. Our natural environment is rich
and varied, and our cultural and historic
environment is too.
Old and ruined buildings, for example,
are often historically important. They can
also be critical habitats for bats, which
creep into cracks in the stonework either to
hibernate or just to spend the odd day. At
Carew Castle, our maintenance works have
taken the bats into account: where we've
re-pointed stonework we've left cracks and
crevices for bats to continue to use. We
have also closed off one tower to the
public, just allowing access for the bats.
Habitats that are good for animals are
often also good for archaeological sites.
One of our best habitats here in the Park is
our very low, grazed coastal slopes. They
allow sea birds, including the rare chough,
to feed, and also encourage different types
of vegetation to grow, resulting in
populations of wildflowers which, in turn,
support a variety of insects.
But this low, tightly-knit covering is also
perfect for preserving archaeology. The
vegetation is shallow-rooted, so there is no
damage to buried sites, and the above-
ground remains � the `humps and bumps'
we see around us � are visible underneath
the short grass covering. This means visitors
can see and understand the centuries of
human activity which is, literally,
underneath our feet. We often try to
encourage landowners to put grazing
animals onto archaeological sites � it's a lot
more environmentally friendly than lawn-
mowing!
We are trying to manage the landscape
around us in a way which keeps things in
balance. Sometimes finding this balance
can be very difficult, but what we aim for is
a landscape which is rich. Rich in species,
rich in history, and rich in opportunities for
people to understand and enjoy it.
29
including �
� Formal Rose Garden
� Herbaceous Borders
� Arboretum of rare trees
� Victorian Walled Garden
� Woodland Walk to Estuary
� 13th Century Chapel
with unique effigies
� Picnic Area
2 miles north of A477 between Carew & Pembroke Dock (follow brown signs)
Upton Castle, Cosheston SA72 4SE www.uptoncastle.com 01646 689996
Open Daily April to October 10am to 4.30pm
Admission: �3.00 Children �1.50 Families �7.00 � Dogs Welcome
PEMBROKESHIRE'S BEST KEPT SECRET
35 ACRES OF GARDENS
PictonCastle
Gardens&Gallery
� EXPLORE 40 acres of woodland and
walled garden
� DISCOVER unique rhododendrons,
jungle garden, ferns, endangered conifers
� ENTERTAIN your little `uns with wood-
land trails, adventure playground and maze
� TRAVEL through 700 years of history
on a castle tour
� TANTALISE your taste buds in
Maria's Restaurant
� DO RETAIL in the art gallery, plant
nursery and gift shop
Events throughout the year include:
Plant Hunters' Fairs, Family Fun Days,
Outdoor Theatre.
Picton Castle Gardens & Gallery, Rhos, near Haverfordwest SA62 4AS
Signposted off the A40 3 miles east of Haverfordwest
Telephone 01437 751326 Open daily (except Mondays but open Bank Holidays)
1st April to end September 10.30am - 5.00pm, Castle tours 11.30am - 3.30pm
February and October Half Term Opening.
More information on www.pictoncastle.co.uk - see website for winter opening
Admission: CASTLE GARDEN & GALLERY: adults �5.95, Seniors �5.75, under-12s �3.00
GARDEN & GALLERY: adults �4.95, seniors �4.75, under-12s �2.50.
Picton Castle
a grand day out
Land on
Skomer Island
Wildlife
voyages by RIB
to Grassholm Island
See
our main
advert on
page 40
Bats in the belfry
(and in the chapel, the castle and the limekilns...)
On the hunt for history
and habitats?
Then it's worth visiting these National Park gems:
Did you know?
In July, the island of Grassholm
can be home to 100,000 gannets.

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