Cadw is a Welsh word meaning ‘to keep’ or ‘to protect’. And that’s exactly what they do. They are working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales.
Cadw is made up of around 250 people working across a range of disciplines.
Around 100 of their people are custodians — working at monuments in their care — or are part of the in-house teams that undertake conservation and maintenance at our sites.
They have specialist staff, including field monument wardens and inspectors of historic buildings, ancient monuments and historic parks and gardens, who are based all over Wales.
Many of their staff are regularly ‘out and about’ around Wales, visiting sites, meeting the public or local authority representatives — little of Cadw’s work can be done only from behind a desk.
Entrance Ticket
There was only one top job for an ambitious cleric in medieval Wales: Bishop of St Davids in Pembrokeshire.
A 12th-century pope had decreed that two trips to St Davids were equal to one to Rome – turning it into a centre of pilgrimage for the entire Western world. Thousands flocked to see the shrine of St David in the newly built cathedral.
But the bishop’s home was no match for this magnificence. Enter Henry de Gower. Between 1328 and 1347 he turned a building only fit for ‘servants and animals’ into an immense palace.
The east range was his private domain. The south range was for show and ceremony. It was here in the great hall that Bishop Henry dispensed justice, held feasts and welcomed distinguished pilgrims.
The Reformation marked the beginning of the end. In fact William Barlow, first Protestant Bishop of St Davids, may well have stripped the lead from the roofs himself to spark a slow decline. But even as a ruin this palace beside its glorious cathedral remains an awe-inspiring space.
OPENING TIMES
01/03-30/06: Daily 9.30am–17.00hrs (last admission 30 minutes before closing).
01/07-31/08: Daily 9.30am–18.00hrs (last admission 30 minutes before closing).
01/09-31/10: Daily 9.30am–17.00hrs (last admission 30 minutes before closing).
01/11-28/02: Daily 10am–16.00hrs (last admission 30 minutes before closing).
Note: during extreme weather conditions the attraction may need to close at short notice.
