User Reviews
Iain Wooding (3 months ago)
Decent old ruins of the castle standing almost on Pennard golf course. Not the easiest place to find as it doesn't seem to be signed from any of the surrounding roads. We parked in a residential street and walked across part of the golf course to reach it. There are a couple of information boards by the ruins detailing some of the history.
Some stunning views towards the coast from the site so well worth the effort getting there.
Julie Brown (3 months ago)
The views are spectacular. It was a clear day and we could see over the Bristol Channel, the dunes were high and sometimes different, but we managed to climb the three cliffs and slide down onto the beach and see the caves. We walked through an alcove and up over the opposite site side over stepping stones towards the Church Ruins and Berial Chamber and onwards towards Oxwich Bay. Lots of wildlife and historic Cairns, but the overgrown ferns and bracken makes it impossible to find. Fantastic walk and well worth a visit
Josh Ford (3 months ago)
Funny little ruin, sandwiched between the beach and a golf course. It's quite hard to get to from the beach if you go straight up, there's a steep path which is very sandy and hard work, but easily accessible from the other direction. Quite a small keep, but the remaining walls are still mostly standing. The signs on either side of the castle tell a nice story, and the artwork outlines give an idea of what it used to look like in its former glory (pictured).
Zobo 75 (4 months ago)
Pennard Castle, Near Three Cliffs Bay, Wales
(From the Information Boards)
Built in the late 13th or early 14th century
Originally, a ringwork fortification was built on the site in the 12th century. It is thought that it was built by Henry Beaumont, 1st Earl of Warwick, when he became the first Lord of Gower. The castle was then rebuilt in the late 13th century, probably by the powerful William de Braose, upgrading it largely in alignment with the original ringwork.
Pennard Castle was built to make a statement of power and exists as another symbol of the Norman lordship of the area. However, by 1650 it was described in a survey as desolate and ruinous, and the land around it "wholly besanded by meanes of the nearnesse thereof unto the sea".
The castle site was excavated in 1961, and within the walls were found the remains of two service rooms, a communal hall and a retiring room. The roof was thought to be thatched as there was no evidence of other roofing material during the excavations. The excavation site was then reburied to prevent further damage to the remains.
Peppermint (15 months ago)
I’m a huge fan of castles and this ruin is absolutely gorgeous. It was interesting to read about the history of the castle from the information boards, and the view of the valley is amazing! I would warn parents that there are long drops with no barriers or signs so this place can be dangerous for young children.