Endless Views from St Brides Bay to the Preseli Hills
Step Inside the Historic Roch Castle
Roch Castle provides a contemporary, natural backdrop for a carefully curated collection of works by just six artists, creating a dialogue between art, history, and the castle’s unique character.
Artists Daniel Wright and Amanda Wright of Goat Street Gallery, St Davids, were commissioned to create site-specific works in their respective media for Roch Castle. Daniel’s ceramics draw inspiration from the architecture and landscape of the St Davids peninsula, producing hand-thrown earthenware pots adorned with detailed illustrations of Roch Castle and sister venues, Twr y Felin and Penrhiw Priory. Amanda, a hand-stitched embroiderer, created tapestries using coloured yarns on canvas, inspired by the rich history of the Norman castle. Her intricate works now hang in the high-ceilinged public spaces, complementing the castle’s centuries-old architecture.
Ap Gruffydd Bedroom
Sunroom
Dining Room
Court Lounge
Treatment Room
Roch Castle Exterior
The Story of Roch Castle
Built in the late twelfth century, Roch Castle has stood for over 800 years, its five-foot-thick walls bearing witness to centuries of history. Strategically located along the historic “landsker line”- the division between English and Welsh-speaking Wales, the castle formed part of a network of border strongholds, defending Anglicised Wales from northern Welsh forces and protecting Flemish settlers in the surrounding region.
The first known inhabitant, Norman knight Adam de Rupe (later de la Roche), established the castle on the rock that gives it its name. A storied lineage followed, with generations of de la Roche defending the area, participating in military campaigns, and leaving their mark on local religious institutions, including the Priory of Pill. A legend recounts that Adam de Rupe attempted to evade a prophecy that he would die from a viper’s bite, a fate ultimately fulfilled when a viper was brought into the castle in a bundle of firewood.
Over the centuries, Roch Castle passed through many hands, including the Walter family of Rosemarket, whose daughter Lucy Walter famously became a mistress of King Charles II, and later the St Davids family, who undertook significant restoration in the early 20th century. By the 1970s, the castle had become a private residence and holiday home, until it was acquired by the Griffiths Roch Foundation in 2008. Following extensive renovation under Welsh Heritage Construction and the guidance of architects Acanthus Holden, Roch Castle reopened in 2013 as a six-bedroom luxury hotel, offering a unique combination of history, art, and modern comfort.
“Mega great accommodation: from the outside an original old castle from the time of the Normans, from the inside modern 5-star hotel, with modern art everywhere and extremely tastefully restored.”
Tripadvisor - Aug 2025
Roch Castle continues to celebrate its heritage while embracing contemporary creativity. From its Norman roots to its current role as a luxury retreat, the castle offers visitors a chance to experience history, art, and the breathtaking landscape of the St Davids peninsula in one extraordinary setting.
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Experience History and Luxury at Roch Castle
Take in breathtaking views across the bay and hills while enjoying the timeless charm of Roch Castle.
