Over 1,000 people attended the Castle to Quayside Festival in Haverfordwest recently celebrating the fascinating heritage of the County Town.

The event, held on Saturday, September 6, and funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, was organised by Pembrokeshire County Council in partnership with the River Festival, Haverfordwest Heritage Trust, Haverfordwest Action Forum and Haverhub.

The busy programme celebrated the town’s rich history and its riverside heart. Funding from Milford Haven Port Authority and Haverfordwest Town Council also made the event possible.

Castle Square and the Quayside were brought to life with arts and heritage activities for young and old. Live music, outdoor theatre and Morris dancing captivated the crowds, and even Queen Eleanor of Castile was in attendance.

Talks on ecology and sustainability such as The Cleddau Project and Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum Marine Code also drew a packed audience as did Mark Muller’s guided history and Simon Hancock’s talk on the Castle’s history. The Castle was open for a peek at the work in progress and Shire Hall opened its doors for a rare chance to see the old Court Room.

More events of this kind are hoped for in the future as part of Haverfordwest Castle’s big make over, when the new heritage discovery attraction, telling Pembrokeshire’s past, present and future opens its doors in 2028.

Siobhan McGovern, Client Project Manager of the Castle development project and one of the organisers of the Castle to Quayside Festival said: “It was fantastic to see so many people at the festival – proof that we love our heritage.

“The Castle’s big reopening is set for early 2028, and we’re working hard to make it something the whole community can be proud of. In the meantime, there’ll be lots of chances to get involved along the way.”