These castle ruins do not fit into the category of imposing fortresses that once dominated the environment from an elevated position, but they do represent most effectively the many phases of castle life over several hundred years.

When Gerald de Windsor married Nest at the turn of the 11th century, he had already acquired Carew and wanted to build a castle. Fragments of the Norman stone tower still stand, but this has been virtually encased by the later rebuilding of Carew Castle during the middle ages. While Edward I was strengthening his position in Wales with prolific castle building, Sir Nicholas de Carew decided to 'upgrade' his own castle at Carew. Drum towers and curtain walls provided better defensive measures, and the construction of a west range and chapel greatly improved the domestic arrangements.

By the early 14th century this magnificent castle had become a well-fortified but extremely comfortable home, boasting a grand Great Hall spanning the whole length of the west range at first floor level, and luxury private apartments in the newly-built towers.

Carew Castle remained with the de Carew family for the next 150 years, but by 1480 it had become an extravagance that they could no longer afford and it passed to Rhys ap Thomas 'the king-maker'. Over the next four decades Carew Castle was completely remodelled and modernised, creating a fashionable Tudor mansion befitting his wealth and status. However, following the execution of his grandson in 1531, Carew Castle became a Crown possession and was leased to various tenants for many years.

The next transformation of Carew Castle occurred during the ownership of Sir John Perrot, a suspected illegitimate son of Henry VIII. Despite owning other Welsh castles, Sir John favoured Carew Castle as his new home and promptly set about converting the Tudor mansion into his own sumptuous Elizabethan country residence. It appeared that no expense was spared. Buildings were demolished, roads re-routed, parklands extended, and a splendid three-storey north range was erected along the banks of the river. Unfortunately his work at Carew Castle remained unfinished when, convicted of high treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London, Sir John's estates were taken by the Crown in the last decade of the 16th century.

In 1607 Carew Castle was finally returned to the Carew family, albeit in a rather neglected state after various periods of tenancy. Sir John Carew carried out the necessary repairs at huge expense before he died some 30 years later, after which time it was garrisoned by the Royalists at the beginning of the Civil War. By the time it was returned to the Carew family in 1660, only the east range remained habitable. Carew Castle was finally abandoned in 1686, but still belongs to the Carew family.

Today, forming part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the castle ruins in their picturesque setting with a mill pond and early 19th century tidal mill, make for a really worthwhile visit. With a fascinating history to uncover, plenty of architectural interest, romantic scenery, and a mass of wildlife, this is a site where there is definitely something for everyone.