Places to visit

Coity Castle - Castell Coety

Castell Coety (Coity Castell) has substantial remains. Mostly they are of the fourteenth century castle which was the result of the rebuilding of a twelfth century Norman ringwork castle. The remains are made up of an inner ward, keep, chapel, range and keep. The inner ward is bordered by a ditch and curtain wall with one side having the remains of a fifteenth century gatehouse. The site is located off the A4061 two miles northeast of Bridgend.

Kenfig Castle - Castell Cynffig

Castell Cynffig - Kenfig Castle

Castell Cynffig (Castle Kenfig). Little is left of the original twelfth century Norman site, but later rebuilding has left the remains of a stone keep, square tower and thick walls. It is located about five miles north west of Porthcawl, on a small road southwest off the B4283 and in the northeast corner of Kenfig Nature Reserve. The castle was built by Robert Earl of Gloucester. It was sacked by the Welsh of several occasions in the twelfth and thirteenth century and again in the fourteenth.

Neath Castle - Castell Nedd

Neath Castle - Castell Castell-nedd

The site is that of a twelfth century Norman castle possibly standing on the site of an earlier fortification. Attacked and burnt by Llewellyn ap Iorwerth, it was rebuilt in stone. It was sacked again in the fifteenth century and the gatehouse seen today was built. Sections of the curtain wall also remain. The location of the castle is in the centre of Neath (Welsh: Castell-nedd).

Carn Llechart

Carn Llechart stone circle image courtesy of Swansea Valley History Society

A cairn made up of 25 stones that surround a central burial ciste. It is thought the site dates to first half of the 2nd millennium BC which spanned the years 2000 through to 1001 BC.  It is located about one mile north west of Rhyd-y-Fro off a minor road, off the A474 north of Neath and Pontardawe.

Swansea Castle - Castell Abertawe

Swansea Castle - Castell Abertawe

The first Swansea Castle (Welsh: Castell Abertawe), built of earthworks and wood, was established on this site was in the twelfth century. It was sacked on a number of occasions and destroyed by the Welsh. A new structure of stone was built over the period between 1221 and 1284, but sacked again in 1287. Although re-garrisoned and later additions made in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, it gradually fell into disuse for military purposes. The buildings then fulfilled other functions over the years. The remains of the castle include a curtain wall, residential block and tower. There is an arcaded parapet and the interior has vaulted basement chambers.

Oystermouth Castle - Castell Ystum Llwynarth

Oystermouth Castle - Castell Ystum Llwynarth

Oystermouth Castle (Castell Ystum Llwynarth) is a Norman castle site from the early twelfth century and was attacked and sacked on a number of occasions by the Welsh. A stone keep remains, along with other buildings added in the early medieval period. There is a gatehouse with curtain walls, chambers and the fourteenth century chapel has fragments of wall paintings. The site is set within grounds by woodland and is located on the A4067 south of Swansea. The sea front from Swansea to Oystermouth Castle has a good pedestrian and cycle path.

Pennard Castle - Castell Pennard

Pennard Castle - Castell Pennard

Pennard Castle - Castell Pennard is a twelfth century castle site overlooks Three Cliffs Bay. The later stone built south tower of the castle remains at a good height and there is a curtain wall on the north. The site is accessed via footpath and is about half a mile south of Parkmill on the A4118. From Oystermouth the B4593 can be taken west to Caswell and then on to Pennard. A footpath across the golf goes to the castle. The castle can also be reached via a footpath from Three Cliffs Bay.

Parc le Breos

Parc le Breos

Parc le Breos is a Neolithic cairn site is comprised of a wedge shaped tomb reached by forecourt leading to burial chambers. The monument is well maintained and dates back to about 5,500 BC. Archaeological digs have found the remains of over forty men, women and children in the tomb. The site is located off the A4118 west of Parkmill turning left at the Heritage Centre and then the narrow road to a car park. The cairn is a short walk into Parc le Breos Woods and very accessible.

Oxwich Castle - Castell Oxwich

Oxwich Castle picture from Cadw

Although Oxwich Castle (Welsh: Castell Oxwich) is built on the site of an earlier medieval castle, these are actually the remains of a sixteenth century manor house. Having fallen into disuse two vaulted under crofts, vaulted kitchen and partial staircase can be seen along with a north east range. The site is located off the A4118 about eleven miles southwest of Swansea. From Parc le Beos Burial Chamber return to the A4118. Going west past Nicholaston take the right turn toward Oxwich and Oxwich Castle.

Penrice Castle - Castell Penrice

Penrice Castle - Castell Penrice

Penrice Castle (Welsh: Castell Pen-rhys) is near Penrice, on the Gower Peninsula, Wales (Welsh: Penrhyn Gŵyr, Cymru). Built in the thirteenth century, the ruins of this castle include curtain walls, gatehouse, stone keep and earthworks. It is located on private land of the A4118 with a footpath nearby. If coming from Oxwich follow the minor road back toward the A4118. On the left hand side is a small car park by Mill Wood. Across the road is a style next to the gate. Follow the driveway and you will see the castle on your left.

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