Loughor Castle, Loughor, United Kingdom

Loughor Castle is a ruined, medieval fortification built around 1106 by the Anglo-Norman lord Henry de Beaumont, during the Norman invasion of Wales. The site overlooked the River Loughor and controlled a strategic road and ford running across the Gower Peninsula. The castle was designed as an oval ringwork, probably topped by wicker fence defences, and reused the remains of the former Roman fort of Leucarum.

Over the next two centuries, the castle was involved in many conflicts. It was attacked and burnt, probably in the Welsh uprising of 1151, and was captured by the forces of Llywelyn the Great in 1215. John de Braose acquired the castle in 1220 and repaired it, constructing a stone curtain wall to replace the older defences. Attacked again in 1251, the castle was reinforced with a stone tower in the second half of the 13th century. It declined in importance during the late-medieval period, and by the 19th century, the castle was ruinous and overgrown with ivy.

In the 21st century, Loughor Castle is controlled by the Welsh heritage agency Cadw and operated as a tourist attraction. The ruined tower and fragments of the curtain wall still survive on top of the ringwork's earthwork defences, which now resemble a motte, or mound, and are part of the Loughor Castle Park.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

my mini 2 (2 years ago)
Nice small castle. Right on the Loughor estuary!

Fury (2 years ago)
Nice small castle. Right on the Loughor estuary!

Carl Goddard (2 years ago)
I came here as I like my walks when my mind puts me too it I never really payed full attention to this castle that's on my doorstep it's not much left of it but what's left off it is in fact beautiful crafted castle that goes back to 1800s I could imagine this beautiful castle has alot of history ♥ great spot lovely views it's off the main road in loughour when weather nice worth a visit

Sandy Pennington (2 years ago)
Lovely little ruin and nice view over the estuary

Kate Cross (2 years ago)
Lovely as always Was sorry we couldn't climb up like we used to

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