Medieval houses at the Westgate built within the town walls.
Our April meeting was "A walk round the walls of Pembroke" led by U3A member Graham Phillips, who grew up in the town.
Walking up from the Town Hall we passed Long Entry car park where right up until the 1950’s stood a row of tiny,
terraced Alms cottages. Then past the Lion and the Old King’s Arms, both late 18th Century Coaching houses with tall gateways to allow the coach and horses entry to the rear of the building.
William Marshall,1st Earl of Pembroke and famous Anglo-Norman knight and statesman who served under 5 kings.
He rebuilt Pembroke Castle in stone. We followed the route around the base of the castle past the entrance to Wogan Cavern, onto the Quay which was a thriving port in the early 18th century.
The Corn Exchange stood on the banks of this bustling area for commerce and shipping
The Tidal Mill once stood on the bridge
where the bronze statue of Henry VII now stands.
We crossed the road at Northgate, once a narrow arched entrance but demolished in 1824 to widen the road, then walked along beside the beautiful Mill Pond, full of wildlife and a tranquil setting.
Across the river we saw the workhouse buildings and further along Barnard’s Tower, a 13th century defensive tower built independently of the town walls and the best preserved of the six protective town towers.
We followed the Eastern edge of the town wall along Goose’s Lane, leading down to the Commons where the Goose Fair was held.
The Tannery, which lies just outside the walls because of its noxious smells, is now a youth club.
We visited one of the long narrow burgage plots, accessed from the commons now St Oswald’s Community Garden, a peaceful oasis, where volunteers have worked to create a productive plot.
All photography by Myles Huthwaite this month.