Pennard Castle, Gower, S. Wales - 04/08

This early Norman structure was replaced in the thirteenth century by a more elaborate stone structure complete with two storey twin gate towers, and a wooden gateway and portcullis. Inside the stone wall a single storey building contained the Great Hall and adjoining rooms.

By the mid seventeenth century as a result of continuous sand encroachment and an almost magical overnight sandstorm the old village of Pennard was buried and the castle reduced to ruins we now see today.

The castle was excavated in 1961 and this exposed part of the castle’s Great Hall. A stump of the old church wall is all that remains of the lost village of Old Pennard.

[from here: http://www.gowerpeninsula.org.uk/pennard-castle.htm]

i visited this last year, but instead of sensibly going over the golf course, i walked up the big sand dune/mound right next to it. wow, that was hard work, i can tell you! it was worth it though and my legs didn't even ache the next day, haha.

Love that one, lost in the sand. Wonder what else lies buried

That climb is a bit of a git, but it's not as easy to park near the golf course now as it was. Did you visit 3 cliffs while you were there? it's just around the corner.

swanseamale47 said:

That climb is a bit of a git, but it's not as easy to park near the golf course now as it was. Did you visit 3 cliffs while you were there? it's just around the corner.

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yep, had a nice walk on the beach and looked at the little nooks and crannies in the rocks. was lovely

the best way would be to park down the bottom of pennard drive, by norton drive. you only have half as far to walk then. i grew up round there ( I lived further round the cliffs though). never get bored of the view down the valley.