Castles

Castles of Gower

An introduction to Swansea's and Gower's ancient castles...

Weobley Castle	South Wales

Leason, Llanrhidian, Swansea SA3 1HB

CADW

Weobley Castle is a fortified manor house, where domestic comfort took priority over defensive capabilities. It overlooks the Llanrhidian marsh and the Llwchwr estuary.

The castle consists of four ranges around a small courtyard, with the main rooms at first-floor level. The south range is largely ruined and the buildings on the south-east where probably never even completed. The castle was built by the de la Bere family during the 1300's, with David de la Bere the probable founder early in the century.

The castle is entered on the west through a simple archway high enough for a mounted rider to pass through and closed by large wooden doors, which, without the added protection of a portcullis, would have offered little resistance during an attack. On the south-west are the ruins of a freestanding tower that is possibly the oldest part of the castle. Beside this are the ruins of the southern range that once contained a chapel. The most complete remains are to the north and west which contain the main accommodation, the solar and a hall and kitchen. The entrance to the hall is through a porch added by a later owner of the castle, Sir Rhys ap Thomas, in about 1500.

Oxwich Castle	South Wales

Oxwich Castle occupies a position on a wooded headland overlooking Oxwich Bay on the Gower Peninsula, West Wales.

Although it may occupy the site of an earlier fortification, this is a castle in name only as it is a grand Tudor manor house built in courtyard style. A product of the peaceful 16th century, Oxwich was built by Sir Rice Mansel to provide sumptuous accommodation. He gave it a mock military gateway complete with family coat of arms. Sir Rice's work was confined to the southern block and was completed between the 1520s and 30s. On Mansel's death his son, Sir Edward Mansel succeeded to the property and between 1560-80 created the much grander style multi-storied range which contained an impressive hall and elegantlong gallery - a fashionable Elizabethan feature. The six- storey south-east tower which still survives probably accommodated the family and servants. After the Mansel's moved out in the 1630s the castle fell into disrepair and the south range was used as a farmhouse.

The building is now in the care of Cadw.

Oystermouth Castle	South Wales

The Normans built the first castle on this site, early in the 12th century. The keep, the first stone building dates back to the late 12th century and is still part of the modern day castle. The castle was continually improved and soon became the main residence for the local “Gower lords”.
The present castle dates from the late 14th and early 15th centuries when it was rebuilt it.
Access : If you want to pay a visit to a local castle, then Oystermouth is the one. It is still intact; it’s set in its own well-maintained parkland and is very close to the popular Mumbles seaside village with views over Mumbles head and Swansea bay.
The castle is very well maintained, you can access its gardens at any time but the actual castle is open during summer days only, a small fee is required for castle entry.
Parking : In Mumbles village, can be difficult on fine summer weekends.

Pennard Castle	South Wales

A ruined 13th century castle, supposedly built on the site of a Viking stronghold by Henry de Beaumont, that did not feature in any conflict. A small settlement grew around the castle. The castle and settlement were abandoned by 1400, although the church (St. Mary's) remained in use until 1532, when the castle, church and settlement were buried by the encroaching sand dunes. A survey undertaken in 1650 described it as: ' . . . the castle of Pennard, desolate and ruinous . . . standeth on a rock near adjoining the sea, now encompassed with much sand . . . '.