I took myself off down the Vale to do a bit of historical site seeing on a lovely Sunday morning.
First stop, St. Quentin’s Castle in Llanblethian, which is up the hill behind Cowbridge. It's a scheduled monument and a Grade II* listed building under the care of Cadw.
Probably built by English nobleman and military commander Gilbert de Clare in the early 14th century, the most notable remnants of this castle are its huge, twin-towered gatehouse and high stretch of curtain wall on the north of the site. In the centre of what was once a large fortress is an earthen mound with the remains of a thick-walled building on top of it, which may be all that’s left of an earlier keep.
The residential gate house compares with those built by Earl Gilbert's father at Caerphilly and by King Edward I at his castles in North Wales.
Next stop Ewenny Priory, a monastery of the Benedictine order, founded in the 12th century. The priory was unusual in having extensive military-style defences. The priory is not open to the public apart from the Church of St Michael, the western part of the priory building, which continues to serve as the parish church for the village. The priory is in the care of Cadw and is a Grade I listed building. Ewenny Priory House and its gardens remain a private residence of the Picton-Turbervill family who also operate the house as a wedding venue. J. M. W. Turner painted the priory during his third tour of Wales in 1795.
Stopped off at Nash Point. Parked for free as the cafe isn’t open at this time of year and they collect the parking charge. Then onto Dunraven Bay, better known to locals as Southerndown beach. To Doctor Who fans it's either Darlig Ulv Stranden/Bad Wolf Bay or Alfava Metraxis, where the Weeping Angels crashed. Close by is what is left of Dunraven Castle, a mansion built in the early 1800's for the local MP.
Next up was Ogmore Castle.It is part of a trio of fortresses built to guard Glamorgan against attacks from the Welsh-held west. Beginning as a castle of earth and wood in the early 12th century, it was quickly fortified in stone before being further strengthened with a curtain wall in the early 13th century. An original feature is the deep ditch around the inner ward, designed to fill with sea water at high tide.
The Stepping Stones are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. A ghost, Y Ladi Wen or the White Lady, is said to guard the castle’s hidden treasures.
Final stop was at Coity Castle, which is undergoing major renovations and wasn’t accessible, which was a shame as it’s more intact than a lot of the local castles.
