ruined castle near village south wales castle built early 12th century timber following norman invasion wales walls rebuilt stone family turn 13th 14th centuries including stone gatehouse soon sand dunes caused site abandoned fell ruin restoration work carried course 20th century remains castle protected law grade listed building history centuries began incursions onwards pushing westwards bases recently occupied england advance marked construction castles creation regional built start 12th century earl conquered castle constructed limestone spur overlooking mouth stream cliffs bay protected north west surrounding cliffs fortification initially took form oval shaped metres defensive ditch outside timber hall centre local church built east settlement grew site rabbit warren established nearby sand dunes early 13th century simple stone hall approximately metres built site older timber building red purple sandstone white limestone detailing turn 13th 14th centuries castle controlled william son called william timber defences replaced thin stone curtain wall approximately metres tall replaced mural defences including square tower rocky spur west circular tower north west corner gatehouse built new entrance half circular towers possibly imitated regional castles weakly defended handful arrow loops new walls built mixture red sandstone rubble probably locally limestone dug castle site rebuilt replacement castle nearby abandoned time sand dunes centuries began suffer sand castle settlement gradually abandoned survey described fortification surrounded sand castle south wall collapsed remainder castle apparently generally intact suffered losses popular subject sketches paintings 18th century onwards view ruins east proving particularly popular large cracks appeared southern tower gatehouse led partial collapse concerns grown condition castle discussions took place golf club owned site joint committee formed raise funds repairs stonework costs appear excessive instead gatehouse concrete remaining southern wall collapsed beginning archaeological survey conducted urgent masonry repairs carried paid combination works golf club public appeal launched local newspapers 21st century ruins gatehouse survive reaching east partially built strong mortar parts curtain wall survive mainly north east sides metres thick averaging metres tall remains square mural tower ruins protected law grade listed building scheduled ancient monument
Pennard Castle