74 HAVERFORDWEST CASTLE REDEVELOPMENT
HAVERFORDWEST CASTLE REDEVELOPMENT
Haverfordwest Castle is undergoing its most significant transformation in generations, with a major heritage-led redevelopment set to create a flagship visitor destination while conserving one of Pembrokeshire’ s most important historic landmarks.
Few sites have shaped the history of Pembrokeshire as profoundly as Haverfordwest Castle. Dominating the county town for more than 900 years, the medieval fortress is now at the centre of an ambitious regeneration programme that seeks to secure its future as both a heritage asset and a year-round visitor destination.
Led by Pembrokeshire County Council, the redevelopment forms part of the wider Heart of Pembrokeshire programme, backed by £ 17.7 million of UK Government funding. Rather than focusing solely on conservation, the project combines restoration of historic buildings with the creation of new visitor experiences designed to encourage more people to explore the castle and its surroundings.
Construction activity has been progressing across several areas of the site. Specialist conservation contractor iBEX has carried out extensive repairs to the Scheduled Ancient Monument’ s historic masonry, while archaeological investigations undertaken by Heneb, The Trust for Welsh Archaeology, have informed the restoration programme and expanded understanding of the castle’ s history.
At the heart of the redevelopment is the former County Gaol, a Grade II listed building within the castle grounds. Morgan Sindall Construction has completed preparatory works and is now converting the building into a new visitor attraction that will tell the story of Pembrokeshire’ s past, present and future through immersive exhibitions and interactive technology.
Glulam Timber Engineering provided the bespoke glulam feature trusses that are set to become the architectural highlight of the new flagship Visitor Centre at the newly redeveloped Castle complex. The full package includes a total of eleven main feature trusses— five with a 12.2-metre span and six with a 10.4-metre span— supplemented by two sets of hip and jack trusses, plus all associated purlins and connection detailing.
The project involved the full scope of design, precision manufacture, and off-site assembly. One of the most challenging aspects was the final delivery: due to extremely tight site access through historic castle grounds, an articulated lorry could not be used, so a smaller vehicle was employed to carry all the components the last 150 metres to the castle. Together, these elegant timber elements will create a stunning glulam centrepiece, harmoniously blending modern structural engineering with the ancient character of the castle environment.
The wider masterplan also includes the conservation and refurbishment of the Governor’ s House, home to
Glulam Feature Trusses being erected on site, at what will become the new flagship Visitor Centre www. constructionviewonline. co. uk