Ogmore Castle, Ewenny (South Wales)

Substantial remains of a Norman stone-built castle, raised by the de Londres family.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Substantial remains of a Norman stone-built castle, raised by the de Londres family. The initial earthwork castle was established by William de Londres, soon after 1100.  

History to the present day

Ogmore Castle stands guard by a major fording place into southern Wales, however it is situated on flat land rather than on top of a ridge-crest allowing nature to further strengthen its defenses. Ogmore and its sister castles at Coity and Newcastle at Bridgend barred Welsh access to this Norman lordship which had been claimed as early as 1116. William de Londres established the first castle at the site and the surviving earthworks may date to this original stronghold.

Unsurprisingly, the early earth and timber fortification was later reinforced with stone works including a great keep, the remains of which may still be explored.
The history of the castle is fairly uneventful, and by the later Middle Ages, the castle ceased to have any real strategic worth. In the 13th century Ogmore and its surrounding estates passed from the De Londres family to Payn de Chaworth, lord of Kidwelly. The de Chaworth heiress, Matilda, married Henry, the Earl of Lancaster, in 1298, and, consequently, Ogmore became a constituent of the Duchy of Lancaster under which control it remains today.
 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Ogmore Castle, South Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year round.

 

Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.

 

 

Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.