Pennard Castle is a 12th-century fortified manor house located in Pennard, Somerset, England. The castle features a mix of medieval and Tudor architectural styles, with a rectangular-shaped keep surrounded by a curtain wall and a moat. The castle's walls are constructed from local limestone and ironstone, with ashlar stone used for the windows, doors, and corners. The castle's interior boasts grand halls, ornate fireplaces, and intricate stone carvings. The castle's history dates back to the Norman Conquest, with evidence of Roman and prehistoric settlements on the site. Today, Pennard Castle operates as a private residence, but it is occasionally open to the public for guided tours and special events.
Beautiful castle ruin! Beautiful views across the bay! Lovely walk to the beach. Keep between the white painted rocks as you walk through the golf course (golfers were very patient and sympathetic).
Beautiful and still quite impressive remains of a medieval castle with a breathtaking view on Three Cliffs Bay. Several information boards explain the long history of the place. Free access.
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.
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).
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
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.
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Good for kids
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Beautiful castle ruin! Beautiful views across the bay! Lovely walk to the beach. Keep between the white painted rocks as you walk through the golf course (golfers were very patient and sympathetic).
Beautiful and still quite impressive remains of a medieval castle with a breathtaking view on Three Cliffs Bay. Several information boards explain the long history of the place. Free access.
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.
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).
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
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.
