Castles to visit Peninsula Of Gower (Penrhyn Gwyr)

Overlooking the marshes, Weobley Castle (pronounced "web-lee") offers superb views: the Llanrhid salt flats and the Loughor estuary. Before accessing it, don't forget to pay for your ticket in the house opposite. Contrary to its name, Weobley Castle was a fortified mansion, a residence of the De La Bere family, built in the 14th century (1304-1327), and not a castle with a defensive purpose. It was attacked and severely damaged at the beginning of the 15th century by Owain's forces at Glyndŵr (be careful, last access 30 minutes before closing).

The neo-Gothic castle we can admire today was built in the ^19th century, but Margam Castle has a history of over 900 years behind it, and was originally a Cistercian monastery. Renovated in the ^19th century for the Talbot family, who occupied it for several generations, it is now a popular place to visit. The park is one of the region's must-see attractions, with lakes, waterfalls, greenhouses and even an orange grove, as well as a wide range of year-round activities.

From the small village of Penmaen, reported from the parking lot, a circuit lets you browse a set of archaeological sites between Three Cliffs Bay Bay and Oxwich Bay: medieval church, iron age burial rooms, and ruins of a late th century Norman castle, Pennard Castle. The location of this castle perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach of Three Cliffs Bay is impressive and the panorama deserves the ascent!

The medieval castle offers a splendid view of the bay. It was built in the 12th century by Henri de Beaumont, Duke of Gower. As his main residence was built on the current Swansea site, Oystermouth Castle was in fact primarily intended to expand the northwestern surveillance field. The strange appearance of the main façade comes from the absence of the two towers that should have flanked its entrance; they were never built. Even when closed, the castle and park are still worth a look.