Carew Tidal Mill

While Carew is probably best known for its castle the village also boasts something unique in Wales: the only remaining tidal mill.

Carew Mill

Though the Mill is no longer in operation, the machinery, exhibition and interactive displays show how tidal water from the Carew Estuary has been used as a source of sustainable energy through the ages.

The present building probably dates from the early 19^th century and indeed one of the two Mill wheels carries the date 1801. The Mill is often referred to as the ‘French Mill’ which may be a reference to the use of French burr stones.

The precise origin of Carew Mill is uncertain. It’s possible that a Mill worked by a Mill leat running from the Carew River pre-dated the building of the causeway on which the current building stands and documentary evidence indicates a Mill of some kind in existence as early as 1542. Records show that in 1558 John Bartlett leased the Mill for the sum of ten sovereigns per annum.

Carew Mill and the Causeway at low tide

The first reference to a causeway comes in a commission of 1630 which indicates that Sir John Carew had restored the floodgates and causeway walls some 15 years earlier.

The fortunes of the Mill were restored by the revival in agriculture in the late 18^th century and from that time the Mill was constantly in use. Activity finally ceased in 1937 and from that time onwards the building lay derelict.

Carew Castle

Carew Castle

Carew Castle stands on a limestone bluff overlooking the Carew inlet, a site that has been recognised as strategically useful from the very earliest times. Recent excavations in the outer ward have uncovered the multiple defensive walls of an Iron Age fortress indicating the early importance of the site.

Carew Castle - front entrance

Around the year 1100 a Norman castle in the shape of a stone keep was built at Carew by Gerald de Windsor who was made castellan of Pembroke Castle following the first Norman invasion of Pembrokeshire. Gerald had married Nest, princess of Deheubarth, who brought the manor of Carew as part of her dowry. Gerald cleared the existing wood and earth fort to build his own castle on Norman lines. The original outer walls were timber and only the keep was built of stone. This keep still exists in the later structure as the "Old Tower".

Gerald's fortification was later replaced by a stone Castle built by his son William, who had taken the name "de Carew." In the middle of the 12^th century William created an enclosure with stone walls incorporating the original keep; he also added a "Great Hall" inside the enclosure. Much of what remains of Carew Castle today was the work of William's son, Sir Nicholas de Carew (who died in 1311), who was responsible in particular for the east and west ranges.

There is obviously far more history to Carew than the brief outline I have given here. If you're interested in Welsh castles and their history I suggest you visit Carew yourself buy the guidebook. :)

Mean time here are a couple more images of the magnificent Carew Castle to whet your appetite.