It is a massive castle – its keep stands 75′ high with walls 20′ deep at its base.   In the late 13th century, buildings were added including a new Great Hall.  A 55 step spiral staircase was also created that led down to a large limestone cave underneath the castle known as Wogan Cavern.  This cave was created by natural water erosion and was fortified with a wall, barred gateway and arrow slits.  It might have been used as a boathouse or as a sallyport where cargo or people could have been transferred.    Moving on to the time of the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell came to Pembroke in May 1648 and took the castle after a seven week siege and ordered that it should be destroyed.   The ruined castle was abandoned until 1880 when it underwent a three year restoration.    Nothing more was done until Major General , Sir Ivor Philipps acquired the castle in 1928 and carried out further extensive restoration of the castle’s walls, gatehouses and towers.  On his death a trust was set up for the castle managed by the Philipps family and Pembroke town council.  Today, it’s a magical place for the whole family to explore and it has a large programme of events and concerts that take place in its grounds – Covid rules permitting.