Historic Townhouses & Stately Homes in West Wales to Visit

West Wales is a land blessed with incredible countryside and coastal views that have attracted visitors from far and wide for many centuries. Step back in time not only by staying at our charming Pembrokeshire holiday cottages but also by visiting some of our superbly-kept historic homes.

From quaint townhouses enjoyed by locals to grand stately homes that were playgrounds for the rich, these historic houses paint a picture of Wales through the centuries. Discover how changes in power, influence and style have transformed these homes into visitor attractions enjoyed by thousands every year.

Picton Castle

Location: Haverfordwest, SA62 4AS
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Picton is one of the most unusual castles you’ll see. Built in the 14th century, it was designed to be both a fort and a magnificent stately home, and the castle blends both military design and classical style with such beauty.

Picton Castle and its magnificent gardens are an ideal day out for all the family. Its RHS Partner gardens are a must-see, and there are nature trails and adventure parks for children on the Castle’s expansive grounds. Finish your day off with Spanish-inspired food at the beautiful courtyard restaurant.

Llanerchaeron

Location: Aberaeron, SA48 8DG
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Llanerchaeron is a Georgian Villa that was designed to make the most of the beautiful landscape and its panoramas. Built in the Palladian style by John Nash in the 1790s, it remains amongst the least altered of his early works. The beautiful setting also includes the working farm and gardens.

The small farmhouse and formal gardens were bought in 1634 by Llewellyn Parry, a descendant of Welsh princes. 20th-century renovations included new fireplaces and internal electricity powered by a water wheel on the estate!

Some of the most interesting features include a dairy, brewery and salting house, laundry and cheese press room. A further feature is the Edwardian kitchen range, where homemade Welsh cakes are baked for you to try!

Newton House

Location: Llandeilo, SA19 6RT
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Visit Newton House and go back in time to before WWI! This striking house with its four corner towers is set in a beautiful, wide valley surrounded by ancient trees and 18th-century parkland. Expect ghostly encounters in the cellars, or the spirit of the strangled Lady Elinor Cavendish on the staircase!

The medieval Deer Park is skirted on one side by the River Tywi valley. The estate was landscaped by George and Cecil Rice (Rhys), aided by Capability Brown, and very little has changed since.

There are guided rooftop tours, exhibitions on the first floor and events throughout the year, listed on the website. A National Trust shop and art gallery are also on site.

Tudor Merchant’s House

Location: Tenby, SA70 7BX
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The Tudor Merchant’s House is in the heart of Tenby. Visit this late 15th-century historic house for a trip back in time to Tenby in the Tudor period. This is a small treasure in the middle of a beautiful seaside town and harks back to the days when Tenby was an important centre for trade.

The site is a middle-class townhouse, furnished in a c1500 style. It was originally built for a merchant who would have traded in various goods, including cloth, coal and spices. Interesting features include a garderobe within a tower on one wall of the building, and a herb garden to the rear of the house.

This is a great interactive experience, with guides on hand to show you how the family once lived and ate, and children’s costumes to try on. Whilst there are no facilities attached to the house, it is in the heart of Tenby, where there is plenty more to discover. Be sure to pop in if you’re staying in one of our Tenby holiday cottages.

Golden Grove

Location: Carmarthen, SA32 8LR
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The Golden Grove (or Gelli Aur) Estate is 100 acres of beautiful woodland overlooking the Towy Valley, and a wonderful place to visit for anyone with an interest in nature.

Unfortunately, the historic mansion on this estate has fallen into disrepair and can’t be entered. However, community action has restored the estate’s gardens and arboretum, one of the most historic collections of trees in all of Wales. There are various walking trails where you can explore the woodland and maybe even spot some deer, while there is also a cafe on-site.

Image credit: Gelli Aur Country Park by Mick Lobb, CC BY-SA 2.0

Scolton Manor

Location: Haverfordwest, SA62 5QL
Website

Scolton is a Victorian manor house set in 60 acres of parkland. It is run by Pembrokeshire Council and is now a hub for local culture and conservation. There are many reasons to visit the property, whether you are interested in history, wildlife, beekeeping, or simply want to enjoy the open grounds.

The manor house itself paints a wonderful picture of 19th-century Wales, with authentic furnishings on loan from the National Museum of Wales. There are lots of adventure playgrounds for the kids, while the walled garden and sculpture trail offer delights for the whole family.

The Manor House and the Beekeeping and Welcome Centres are only open between April and October, although the gardens and wider grounds are open year-round, alongside the tea room.

Cresselly House

Location: Cresselly, SA68 0SP
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Cresselly is a grand house, an epitome of the country house, set a short distance from the Cresswell River Estuary to the east of Pembroke. Visit this site for a peaceful, relaxing and historic day out.

The house overlooks the Cresswell River and onwards towards Milford Haven. It has many period features, including original solid oak furniture, and a glass chandelier.

Unlike many homes on this list, Cresselly is still owned and used by the family that can trace its lineage back to the home’s creation. As a result, the house is only available for visits for small windows in the year – check their website for the latest information.

Llanelly House

Location: Llanelli, SA15 3UF
Website

At the heart of Llanelli town centre, Llanelly House is one of the best examples of early Georgian architecture still standing in West Wales. Built in 1714, the House is now a bistro serving some beautiful food, but they also offer some heritage tours where you can discover the building’s history.

Llanelly House proudly celebrates its Georgian and Victorian history through both its interior designs and its tours, which tell of scandalous stories through the ages. There are also events happening here throughout the year, such as murder mystery evenings, where you can discover the building in a whole new way.