Events at Picton Castle

Welcome to Picton Castle's events in 2008. We've lined up an exciting range of extra events to lure you back again and again! There are family fun days, music evenings, outdoor theatre, a great re-enactment weekend, and a firework spectacular with Abba tribute concert and our traditional Christmas Market...

But remember - there's plenty to do at Picton Castle every day! Our 40 acres of woodlands, with nearly 2 miles of paths, are a treasure trove of woodland plants.

And it's worth a visit just to have lunch in Maria's! Mediterranean salads, hot meals with Spanish style with a glass or two of wine and beer, or really awesome homemade cakes and delicious coffee are a great reward after a brisk woodland walk.

The children's woodland trail is free; all they have to do is find the clues, solve the riddles and win a mini prize! The real maze is a challenge for all the family and the adventure playground is brilliant fun.

(see visitor information for opening times).

For further information about our events, either download our events itinerary here (pdf), phone us during office hours (Mon - Fri, 10am to 5pm) on 01437 751 326 or email info@pictoncastle.co.uk

Forthcoming Events

June
July
August
September
October
November
December

JUNE
GRAHAM HADLOW ART EXHIBITION AT PICTON CASTLE
3 June to 29 June 2008
10.30am to 5.00pm Tuesday to Sunday
Admission Included in normal entry price

Popular Pembrokeshire watercolour artist Graham Hadlow exhibits in the Picton Gallery throughout June. The spacious gallery, which originally housed the Graham Sutherland collection, is perfect for Hadlow's atmospheric works, which will also be for sale.

JULY
PICTON CASTLE'S SUMMER ART EXHIBITION: THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
1 July to 31 August 2008
10.30 to 5.00pm Tues to Sunday. (Open Bank Holiday Monday)
Admission Included in normal entry fee.
Guests: Variety of exhibiting artists

It promises to be thought-provoking, entertaining and possibly controversial. Local artists compete for a £1000 prize fund by providing their interpretation of one or all of The Seven Deadly Sins.

MUSIC AT PICTON CASTLE: Côr Dewi Sant Top of page
Thursday 10 July 2008
7.30 to 9.30pm
£10.00 if booked before 28th June; thereafter £12.50

Optional buffet supper at Maria's Restaurant - before or after the performance £12.50 per person. Must be pre-booked, or pick up an 'al fresco' snack and a glass of wine.
Featuring conductor John S Davies and pianist Caradog Williams.
Enjoy light and classical music in the unique atmosphere of the castle courtyard.

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME AT PICTON CASTLE
Sunday 13 JULY 2008
10.30am to 5.00pm
Admission Normal entry fees apply
Guests: National Gardens Scheme

Picton Castle gardens open for the day on behalf of the National Garden Scheme's successful fund raising drive for nursing, caring and gardening charities.

RHS LECTURE: FERNS AND OTHER WOODLAND PERENNIALS Top of page
Tuesday 15th July 2008
2.00 to 5.00pm
Admission £9.95 RHS members; £11.95 non-members

In association with the RHS, Picton Castle's head gardener Roddy Milne presents a lecture on Ferns & Other Woodland Perennials, followed by a tour of the Peep-In Walk, including its fern glade.

OUTDOOR THEATRE AT PICTON CASTLE - THE TEMPEST
Wednesday 23 July 2008
7.30 to 10.00pm
Admission Early booking discount £10 adults/ family ticket £31. After 13 July: £12 adults/ students & children £8/ family ticket (2 adults & 2 under 15s) £35.
Guests: Chapter House Theatre Group

Picton Castle's magnificent gardens provide the setting for Shakespeare's popular Tempest. Bring your own seat or ground rug, and pack a picnic, buy a BBQ or book a table at Maria's.

PICTON CASTLE FAMILY FUN - PIRATES AT PICTON Top of page
Wednesday 30th July 2008
10.30 to 5.00pm
Admission Included in normal entry price, although some activities carry small additional charge.

A grand day out for young families, with a pirate theme. Children's entertainer, art room activities and bouncy castle. Also woodland trails, a real maze and adventure playground to explore.

AUGUST
PICTON CASTLE FAMILY FUN - MEDIEVAL MERRIMENT
Wednesday 6 August
10.30 to 5.00pm
Admission Normal entry fee applies; some activities carry small additional charge

A grand day out for little lords and princesses, who will love our courtyard jester, art room activities and bouncy castle, as well as woodland trails, old maze and fortress adventure playground.

RODDY WALK - WHAT'S UP IN THE WALLED GARDEN Top of page
Thursday 7 August 2008
2.30 to 4.30pm
Admission £7.50

Join Picton Castle's head gardener Roddy Milne on an informal and informative stroll around the tranquil walled garden, to learn more about perennials, herbs and indoor ferns.

SEALED KNOT CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT AT PICTON CASTLE
Sat & Sun 9 & 10 August
10.30 to 5.00pm
Admission included in normal entry fees
Guests: Sealed Knot Re-Actors and their Guest Cast

The Roundheads and Cavaliers have marched to Picton Castle and there's trouble brewing! Re-live the battles, meet the main players and learn about the life of a 17th Century soldier.

A RIGHT ROYALIST BANQUET at PICTON CASTLE Top of page
Saturday 9 AUGUST
7.30 to 10.00pm
Admission £ to be advised
Guests: to be advised

Book your seat for this Civil War banquet in the Picton courtyard, with food, entertainers and fun from the 17th Century. Dress the part (but leave your swords at the door, please!)

PICTON CASTLE FAMILY FUN - A WIZARD DAY OUT
Wednesday 13 August
10.30am to 5.oopm
Admission Included in normal entry; some activities incur small additional charge

A magic day out at the castle, with a wizard in the courtyard, art room activities, bouncy castle, plus woodland trails, maze and adventure playground. Prizes for best home-made wizard costume!

PICTON CASTLE OUTDOOR THEATRE - ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
Wednesday 13th August 2008
6.30 to 9.00pm,
Admission Early booking discount £10 adults/ family ticket £31. After 3rd August: £12 adults/ students & children £8/ family ticket (2 adults & 2 under 15s) £35.
Guests: Chapter House Theatre Group

Outdoor Theatre and picnic in Picton Castle's garden. Bring a picnic or buy a BBQ; bring your own rug or seat. Dress as your favourite character and join the parade during interval. Top of page

PICTON CASTLE TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC
Wednesday 20 August
10.30am to 5.00pm
Admission included in normal entry; some activities carry additional charge

A grand day out for little-uns. Bring your teddy to meet our Bear! Picnic boxes from Maria's. Woodland trails in bear country - solve the bear riddle and win a mini prize.

PICTON CASTLE FAMILY FUN - AN ARTY CRAFTY DAY
Wednesday 27 August
10.30am to 5.00pm
Admission normal entry applies; some activities carry small additional charge

A grand day out for little'uns. Turn your hand to pottery and help paint a mural. Art room activities, balloon modelling and bouncy castle, plus real maze, adventure playground and woodlands trails.

SEPTEMBER
NEVILLE WESTON ART EXHIBITION AT PICTON CASTLE Top of page
2 September to 5 October 2008
10.30am to 5.00pm Tuesdays to Sundays
Admission included in normal entry fees
Guests: Neville Weston

Picton Castle is delighted to exhibit the works of Neville Weston, figurative painter, academic and writer who has achieved recognition in Australia and UK. A superb opportunity for Pembrokeshire art lovers.

PICTON CASTLE'S AUTUMN PLANT HUNTERS' FAIR
Saturday 6 September
10.00 to 5.00pm
Admission £2.50. (Stallholders £30.)
Guests: Nurseries and Plant Growers from throughout West Wales

It's garden paradise! Dozens of nurseries with thousands of plants to buy ... 40 acres of woodland and walled garden to explore... pig roast from Maria's Mediterranean restaurant to enjoy ...

MUSIC AT THE CASTLE Top of page
Thursday 11 September
t.b.a
Admission t.b.a
Guests: t.b.a

SUNDAY BRUNCH DAY AT PICTON CASTLE
Sunday 28 September
Normal opening times for Garden; lunchtime music performance
Admission £to be advised (t.b.a)
Guests: t.b.a.

The first in a series of Sunday entertainment, with music in the courtyard (or gallery in poor weather) and a brunch menu in Maria's. A stylish way to spend a lazy Autumn Sunday!

OCTOBER
A FLORAL TALE OF PICTON CASTLE Top of page
Thurs - Sun 2,3,4, and 5 October
10.30am to 5.00pm
Admission £8 per person (Picton Castle season ticket holders £5)
Guests: Pembrokeshire's Six Floral Art Societies

Pembrokeshire's first major flower festival, with more than 50 arrangements depicting the history and characters of Picton Castle. Arrangements by Pembrokeshire floral art societies; share of proceeds to Pembrokeshire Cancer Services.

MUSIC AT THE CASTLE: SONGS FROM THE SHOWS
Saturday 11 October
7.30 to 9.30pm
Admission £15 per person
Guests: David Chalford and friends

David Chalford and Friends present music from the shows and a taste of Gilbert & Sullivan in Picton Castle's stunning Great Hall. Optional buffet at Maria's.

SUNDAY BRUNCH DAY AT PICTON CASTLE Top of page
Sunday Brunch Day at Picton Castle
Sunday 12 October
10.30 to 5.00pm garden opens; music at lunchtime
Admission £to be advised
Guests: to be advised

Spend a relaxing Sunday at Picton Castle. Stroll around autumnal woodland gardens, listen to music in the courtyard (or galleries if weather poor) and brunch at Maria's.

SUNDAY BRUNCH DAY AT PICTON CASTLE
Sunday 19 October
10.30 to 5.00pm gardens open; music at lunchtime
Admission £t.b.a.
Guests: t.b.a.

Spend a relaxing Sunday at Picton Castle. Stroll around autumnal woodland gardens, listen to music in the courtyard (or galleries if weather poor) and brunch at Maria's.

SUNDAY BRUNCH DAY AT PICTON CASTLE Top of page
Sunday 26 October
10.30 to 5.00pm gardens open; music at lunchtime
Admission £t.b.a.
Guests: t.b.a.

Spend a relaxing Sunday at Picton Castle. Stroll around autumnal woodland gardens, listen to music in the courtyard (or galleries if weather poor) and brunch at Maria's.

NOVEMBER
FIREWORKS AND ABBA AT PICTON CASTLE
Saturday 1 November
to be advised
Admission to be advised
Guests West Coast Fireworks, lots of food outlets, and ABBA!!

Have a great night out at Picton Castle, with firework spectacular, followed by Abba tribute concert. Lots of different food stalls and beer tent. Bring your own seating.

MUSIC AT PICTON
Thursday13th November 2008
7.30pm to 10.00pm
Admission £ to be advised
Guests: Performing artiste/s to be advised

Picton Castle's magnificent Great Hall provides an elegant setting for winter concerts, with the optional bonus of food and wine in Maria's Mediterranean restaurant. Performer details to be announced soon. Top of page

DECEMBER
PICTON CASTLE INDOOR CHRISTMAS MARKET
Fri - Sun 12, 13 and 14 December
11.00am to 6.30pm
Admission t.b.a.
Guests: dozens of stall holders

Following the success of our first Christmas market in 2007, this year promises to be bigger and better, with entertainment, food stalls and great Christmas gift ideas.

BARNARDO'S TORCHLIT CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Saturday 17th December 2008
6.00pm - to be confirmed
Admission to be confirmed
Organised by Barnardo's Pembrokeshire Committee

What better way to start traditional Christmas festivities? Picton Castle's courtyard is not only sheltered but acoustically wonderful, beautifully enhancing music from choirs and soloists. Homemade refreshments. Indoor option in bad weather. Top of page