Roch Castle

Roch Castle is a Norman keep built around 1195 on a plug of volcanic rock that stands alone above the coastal plain, with views that reach across St Brides Bay to Ramsey Island and inland to the Preseli hills. It was a ruin for much of the twentieth century and was restored over several years into six bedrooms, opening as a hotel in 2012.

The restoration is the interesting part: rather than faking medieval interiors, the architects set clean contemporary rooms inside the ancient stone, so bare walls and deep window embrasures sit alongside underfloor heating and modern bathrooms. Two lounges and a rooftop terrace occupy the upper floors.

With only six rooms the castle is often taken on an exclusive-use basis, and it works well that way for a family or a small group. Breakfast is served on site; dinner is usually taken at Blas, the sister restaurant at Twr y Felin in St Davids, roughly fifteen minutes away, with transfers arranged.