Glamorgan Castles Guide
Llanilid Castle is a very well-preserved raised ringwork which once protected a timber Norman castle. The ringwork measures about 30 metres wide, and has a counterscarped bank to the west. The interior of the enclosure is about 4 metres higher than the exterior, which, though not precisely a motte, does create a more easily defensible position.
Llanilid, Glamorgan, Wales
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A 13th century castle built by Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, on the site of an earlier motte and timber fortification erected by Lord Gwrgan ap Ithel. De Clare's impresive stone castle was begun around 1245 and served as an administrative centre for the lords of Glamorgan ruling the commotes of Meisgyn and Glynrhondda. At the height of its importance Llantrisant was rated as 'second only to Cardiff in military importance'.
Llantrisant, Glamorgan, Wales
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Loughor Castle is a fascinating site, with the partial remains of the 13th-century tower within the ruins of a Norman earthwork castle, itself constructed in one corner of a Roman fort.
Castle Street, Loughor, Glamorgan, Wales
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Heritage Highlight: Three historic sites in one!
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On the summit of a high limestone ridge in the Glamorgan uplands are the remains of an unfinished castle built on the site of an Iron Age hillfort. Round keep, towers, cistern, and miscellaneous building fragments exist along with a complete ground floor with its vault.
Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales
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The Romans built a fort here, by a ford across the River Nedd. The Normans followed suit, erecting a fortification near the Roman site in 1130. The builder was Richard de Granville, who also established Neath Abbey at the same time.
Castle Street, Neath, Glamorgan, Wales
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Built around 1104 by the Norman lords of Glamorgan and later added to, the remains include a stone curtain wall and towers, a hall and Romanesque architectural detail in the south gateway. Newcastle is one of three castles erected by William de Londres for his overlord, Robert Fitzhamon after 1093 to emphasise Fitzhamon's control over Glamorgan (the others being Ogmore and Coety castles).
Newcastle Hill, Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales, CF31 4JN
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This picturesque Norman castle was constructed to guard a crossing of the River Ewenny just before its confluence with the Ogmore. The builder was William de Londres, a follower of Robert Fitzhamon. De Londres was one of the so-called 'Twelve Knights of Glamorgan', a group of semi-legendary knights who helped Fitzhamon conquer south Wales and were rewarded with extensive lands throughout the region.
Ogmore, Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales, CF32 0QP
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This 'castle' is actually a 16th century Tudor manor house built in courtyard style by Sir Rice Mansel (1487-1559) about 1541, on the site of an earlier medieval castle. The Mansells were for many years one of the most influential gentry families in Glamorgan. A substantial medieval tower stands about 90 metres from the house ruins. The original Oxwich Castle dates to at least the 13th century, on a headland to the west of Oxwich Bay.
Oxwich, Gower, Glamorgan, Wales, SA3 1ND
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The name Oystermouth has nothing to do with oysters; it is a Norman mangling of the Welsh 'Ystrum Llwynarth'. This early Norman castle on a hilltop has well preserved domestic buildings and a stone keep.
Castle Avenue, The Mumbles, Gower, Glamorgan, Wales, SA3 4BA
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The castle once belonging to the Umfravilles family. One part of a 13th century stone curtain wall survives along with a semi-circular tower. The first mention of a castle at Penmark dates from 1307, but it seems likely that the castle existed as early as the 12th century.
Penmark, Glamorgan, Wales
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