Clan Rising
Penllyn Castle today

Wales · Partial ruin

Penllyn Castle

Castell Pen-llin

Penllyn Castle is a country house complex in Cowbridge, South Wales, incorporating surviving medieval Norman masonry and a predominantly Victorian manor rebuilt in the mid-19th century. The site combines two surviving main medieval walls on a low cliff above the River Thaw with a stuccoed Victorian house, an entrance lodge and an adjacent stable block. The estate is privately owned and not open to the public.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1860

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1860

What Penllyn Castle looked like in its prime.

An oblong Norman keep and two surviving main medieval walls sit on the edge of a low cliff overlooking the River Thaw valley; the lower courses of the medieval masonry show six courses of herringbone stonework. By the mid-19th century the medieval corner was incorporated into a Tudorbethan/Victorian manor with stucco-plaster facades and projecting roofline, accompanied by a separate mid-19th-century entrance lodge and a stone stable block close to the house.

Its story

The story of Penllyn Castle.

Penllyn Castle was built in 1135 by Robert Fitzhamon, the sheriff Earl of Gloucester, on a height commanding both the Thaw and Ewenny valleys, with an oblong tower like contemporary Ogmore Castle. Reportedly attacked by Owain Glyndŵr, its two surviving main walls stand on a low cliff above the River Thaw and include six courses of "herringbone" masonry near the base, early Norman work that supports the theory it was among the first Norman structures of Fitzhamon's occupation of Glamorgan.

In Tudor times the Turbeville family built a manor house in the grounds, the old keep forming one corner. Miss Gwinnett built a new manor house between 1780 and 1790, and in 1846 John Homfray, son of the bankrupt ironmaster Jeremiah Homfray, bought the castle and rebuilt the estate through to 1860 in a "Tudorbethan" style, demolishing most of Miss Gwinnett's house for a stuccoed Victorian one and adding an entrance lodge that is today Grade I listed.

The castle was sold to the Cory family in 1961 to pay death duties. In 2005 the semi-derelict stable block and manor house were the main shooting location for "Tooth and Claw", a Doctor Who episode in which the castle stood in for a Victorian Scottish one hosting Queen Victoria. In October 2018 it was sold to Terence and Judith Edgell, who intend to restore it as their family home.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1860.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Penllyn Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach drive and entrance lodgeCliff-edge viewpoint over the River ThawOblong Norman keep cornerSurviving curtain walls on the cliff edgeHerringbone masonry at wall baseVictorian manor main façadeEntrance lodge exteriorStable block and courtyard

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Whose castle

Clans who held Penllyn Castle.

The families that held Penllyn Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Turbeville

    Built a Tudor manor house in the castle grounds, the old keep forming one corner.

  • Homfray

    Bought by John Homfray in 1846 and rebuilt 1846–60; held until sold to the Cory family in 1961.

  • Cory

    Held by the Cory family from 1961; the castle was sold again in October 2018.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Penllyn Castle.

Cardiff City Stadium, WalesStadiumCardiff City Stadium19 km awayMillennium Stadium, WalesStadiumMillennium Stadium20 km awayLiberty Stadium, WalesStadiumLiberty Stadium37 km away

Questions about Penllyn Castle

What is the history of Penllyn Castle?

Penllyn Castle was built in the 12th century as a Norman stronghold commanding the Thaw and Ewenny valleys. Robert Fitzhamon raised it in 1135, with an oblong tower like the one at nearby Ogmore Castle. In Tudor times, the Turbeville family added a manor house, while John Homfray rebuilt much of the estate in Tudorbethan style between 1846 and 1860.

Why was Penllyn Castle built, and what was it used for?

Penllyn Castle was built to command the Thaw and Ewenny valleys from a high position. Its Norman tower and walls formed a defensive stronghold, while later manor houses made the site a residence. The medieval keep became one corner of the Tudor manor, and the Victorian rebuilding created a Tudorbethan country house complex.

Where is Penllyn Castle?

Penllyn Castle is in Cowbridge, South Wales, in the administrative area of Penllyn. It stands above the River Thaw valley, with the site located on the edge of a low cliff. The castle is 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of Bridgend.

When was Penllyn Castle built?

Penllyn Castle was first built in the 12th century, in 1135. The medieval Norman castle was later incorporated into a Tudor manor, and the estate was substantially rebuilt between 1846 and 1860 in a Tudorbethan and Victorian style. The site's first-raised year is otherwise not recorded.

Was Penllyn Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Penllyn Castle was reportedly attacked by Owain Glyndŵr. No date, outcome or details of the assault are given, so it is not possible to say whether the castle held or fell. Its surviving medieval walls stand on a low cliff above the River Thaw.

Which family or clan held Penllyn Castle?

The Turbeville family held Penllyn Castle when they built a Tudor manor house in its grounds, using the old keep as one corner. John Homfray bought the castle in 1846 and held it until it was sold to the Cory family in 1961. The Cory family held it until the castle was sold again in October 2018.

What did Penllyn Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Penllyn Castle combined an oblong Norman keep and two surviving medieval walls with a predominantly Victorian manor. The medieval masonry stands on a low cliff above the River Thaw, with six courses of herringbone stonework near the wall bases. The later house has stucco-plaster façades, a projecting roofline, a separate entrance lodge and a nearby stone stable block.

Is Penllyn Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Penllyn Castle is partly ruined, but important medieval and Victorian elements survive. The two main medieval walls and the oblong Norman keep corner remain, while the Victorian manor, entrance lodge and stable block form the later country-house complex. The stable block and manor house were described as semi-derelict in 2005.

Can you visit Penllyn Castle?

Penllyn Castle is not open to the public. It is a privately owned country house complex, and the castle was described as not accessible to the public. The estate includes the manor house, entrance lodge and stable block alongside the surviving medieval walls.

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