Penllyn Castle facts for kids
Penllyn Castle is an old Norman castle located near Cowbridge in South Wales. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of Bridgend.
Contents
The Castle's Story
Building Penllyn Castle
Penllyn Castle was built in 1135 by a powerful Norman leader named Robert Fitzhamon. He was the sheriff for the Earl of Gloucester. The castle has a unique oblong (rectangle-shaped) tower, much like Ogmore Castle, which was built around the same time.
The castle was built on a high spot. This was a smart choice because it gave clear views over the valleys of the River Thaw and Ewenny River. This helped protect the area.
Early Features and Attacks
Today, only two main walls of the original castle remain. They stand on the edge of a low cliff above the River Thaw. Near the bottom of these walls, you can see six layers of "herringbone" masonry. This is a special way of laying stones in a zigzag pattern. It was common in early Norman buildings. This unique stonework suggests that Penllyn Castle was one of the first Norman structures built when Fitzhamon took control of Glamorgan.
It is said that the castle was attacked by Owain Glyndŵr, a famous Welsh leader who fought against the English.
Changes Through the Years
During the Tudor period, a family called Turbeville built a large house, known as a manor house, on the castle grounds. They used a part of the old castle as one corner of their new home.
Later, between 1780 and 1790, a lady named Miss Gwinnett built a brand new manor house. The older house then became a stable block for horses.
In 1846, John Homfray bought the castle. He started rebuilding the estate between 1846 and 1860. He used a style called "Tudorbethan," which looked like Tudor buildings. He built a new entrance lodge, which is now a very important Grade I listed building. Homfray also changed Miss Gwinnett's manor house, rebuilding it in a Victorian style with stucco-plaster walls. This house is now a Grade II listed building.
The castle was sold to the Cory family in 1961. Today, Penllyn Castle is a private home and is not open to the public.
Penllyn Castle in Pop Culture
In 2005, the old stable block and manor house of Penllyn Castle were used as a filming location. They appeared in an episode of the popular TV show Doctor Who called Tooth and Claw. In the episode, the castle was shown as a Victorian-era Scottish castle where monks were hosting Queen Victoria.
In October 2018, Terence and Judith Edgell bought the castle. They plan to restore it and make it their family home.
