New costumes bring Carew Castle’s history to life

The Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park donated £500 to the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, enabling the purchase of a range of authentic medieval and Tudor costumes that are now available for visitors to try on during their visit.

The costumes were sourced from specialist historical suppliers Celtic Web Merchant and Get Dressed For Battle, both renowned for providing high-quality clothing and equipment to museums, heritage attractions, theatres, film and television productions, and historical re-enactment groups.

The collection includes Tudor cloaks, tunics, dresses and hats, alongside medieval dresses, tunics and headwear, representing clothing from approximately the 12th to the 16th centuries. While based on authentic historical designs, the garments have been made to be practical and durable, ensuring they can be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.

Daisy Hughes, Visitor Services Manager for Carew Castle, said: “We’re delighted to have added these costumes to our collection. They are there for visitors of all ages to try on, take photos and really immerse themselves in the history of Carew Castle. We hope they’ll add an extra element of fun to every visit, giving families and friends the chance to step into the shoes of people from the medieval and Tudor periods and create some fantastic memories together.”

Katie Macro, Charity Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for their generous support. Partnerships like this demonstrate the value of organisations working together to enhance visitor experiences and connect more people with the incredible heritage of the National Park.

“The Friends have a long history of supporting projects that inspire people of all ages to discover and appreciate Pembrokeshire’s unique landscapes and history. We’re proud to work alongside them, helping to turn generous donations into meaningful experiences that encourage learning, spark curiosity and create lasting memories for families visiting Carew Castle.”

Clare Dow, Chair of the Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast, said: “The Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast are very happy to support young people explore the rich heritage of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by providing a grant for the dressing-up stand in Carew Castle. It is an important historical site. Understanding those who lived there, the clothes they wore and the fashions of the day all adds to a hands-on educational experience of Pembrokeshire’s heritage.”

The new costumes are now available for visitors to enjoy during their visit to Carew Castle, offering an engaging way for people of all ages to explore the site’s fascinating medieval and Tudor history. Whether dressing as a noble, merchant or castle resident, visitors can immerse themselves in the past while creating memorable photographs and experiences with family and friends.

For more information about the work of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust and the Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, or to find out how you can support their work, visit https://pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales/ and https://www.fpcnp.org.uk/