Any self respecting guide about the historic town
of Pembroke is bound to mention its castle and the fact that
it is the birthplace of Henry VII. It will probably also mention
that the castle is one of the best preserved Norman castles in
Britain but on one of the hottest days of the summer I decided
that, rather than scaling the ramparts, a walk by the cooling
waters that surround three sides of it would be more than sufficient
exercise. I started from the car park beneath the castle walls
and walked along the footpath by the river before ascending Westgate
Hill.
 
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A short detour into The Parade offered little respite from the
scorching sun but with blue skies all around I wasn't complaining.
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A War Memorial stands at the top of Westgate Hill
close to the entrance to the castle and a little further on the
town church and a clock tower stand side by side.
 
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Descending the hill again via Northgate Street took
me back towards my starting point, the bridge over the River
Pembroke. The entrance to the car park is just visible on the
left but I turned right to follow the river.
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The River Pembroke flows into the Milford Haven waterway
which was described by Admiral Nelson as the "greatest natural
harbour in the world". A wide walkway runs by the side of
the river with pleasant views in both directions.
 
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The town grew up around the castle and for many years served
as a port exporting Pembrokeshire goods to Ireland, France and
Spain as well as the rest of Britain. Today's landing stages
serve mainly as easy access and feeding points for the river
wildfowl.
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But on this glorious summer's day, a family of cygnets
was content to float by on the gentle current.
My soul is an enchanted boat,
Which, like a sleeping swan, doth float
Upon the silver waves of thy sweet singing.
Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792 - 1822
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The wide walkway eventually narrows and after crossing a footbridge
over the river a footpath leads between a railway line and a
school to reach the residential development on the northern bank.
Looking back along the river the castle is clearly visible and
in hindsight I should have retraced my steps back along the pleasant
southern bank as the return journey through the streets left
me hot and perspiring. I'll know better next time!
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