Oxwich Castle

Weird & Wonderful Wales

Back
oxwich-castle

Oxwich Castle is a fortified Tudor manor house, built on the site of an earlier castle. Nearby Pennard Castle was reputedly built overnight by a sorcerer under Norman attack. Its tenant, Lord Rhys ap Iestyn, threatened fairies dancing on his wedding night. Enraged, they lifted a sand mountain in Ireland and engulfed the castle with the dunes it still sits in. The shoreline from Mumbles to Ogmore used to lie 3-5 miles out to sea. The land in-between - Green Grounds - contained Coed Arian (‘Silver Wood’), which was crossed by a long-lost bridleway from Penrice Castle to Margam Abbey. Submerged by several major storms, fisherman report underwater buildings and often trawl the remains of wild elk, ox, boar and stags. Other myths from the county include Coeten Arthur (‘Arthur’s Stone’) near Reynoldston: a pebble which magically grew in size when King Arthur threw it. Said to be thirsty, the stone occasionally drinks at a nearby stream. Viking King Sweyn Forkbeard (960 – 1016 AD) reputedly founded Swansea ('Sweyn's Island’) and is buried on Rhossili Downs between the twin tombs known as ‘Sweyn Howes’.

Painting - copyright Pete Fowler / Literature Wales
Written piece - copyright Rhys Milsom / Pete Fowler / Literature Wales

Oxwich Castle

  • Oxwich Castle is a fortified Tudor manor house, built on the site of an earlier castle. Nearby Pennard Castle was reputedly built overnight by a sorcerer under Norman attack. Its tenant, Lord Rhys ap Iestyn, threatened fairies dancing on his wedding night. Enraged, they lifted a sand mountain in Ireland and engulfed the castle with the dunes it still sits in. The shoreline from Mumbles to Ogmore used to lie 3-5 miles out to sea. The land in-between - Green Grounds - contained Coed Arian (‘Silver Wood’), which was crossed by a long-lost bridleway from Penrice Castle to Margam Abbey. Submerged by several major storms, fisherman report underwater buildings and often trawl the remains of wild elk, ox, boar and stags. Other myths from the county include Coeten Arthur (‘Arthur’s Stone’) near Reynoldston: a pebble which magically grew in size when King Arthur threw it. Said to be thirsty, the stone occasionally drinks at a nearby stream. Viking King Sweyn Forkbeard (960 – 1016 AD) reputedly founded Swansea ('Sweyn's Island’) and is buried on Rhossili Downs between the twin tombs known as ‘Sweyn Howes’.

    Painting - copyright Pete Fowler / Literature Wales
    Written piece - copyright Rhys Milsom / Pete Fowler / Literature Wales

    More Weird & Wonderful Wales locations
Top