Penmark Castle
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Other/Unknown), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle
There are masonry ruins/remnants remains
| Name | Penmark Castle |
| Alternative Names | Penmarc |
| Historic Country | Glamorgan |
| Modern Authority | Vale of Glamorgan |
| 1974 Authority | South Glamorgan |
| Community | Rhoose |
The remains of Penmark Castle consist of two enclosures resting on natural scarps on the north and east. A sub-oval inner enclosure, c.58m east to west by 40m, is defined by the remains of a stone curtain, with one tower and indications of a second. Within are traces of buildings, with a ruined barn of c.1770. The sub-rectanular outer enclosure on the west is around 50m east to west by 60m. It is defined by a bank and ditch on the west and rests on the churchyard on the south (see NPRN 301269). There are remains of a c.6.0m diameter dove cote at the north-west angle. The castle thought to be early twelfth century in origin, but is first mentioned in documents in 1307. It is recorded as ruinous by 1622. (Coflein–ref. RCAHMW, 2000)
Remains of C13 wall 1m thick around a court 65m long by 47m wide with a more thinly walled C16 outer court to the west. The moat has been filled in but there are extensive footings on the east side of the court and on the west side are overgrown ruins of a tower 7m in diameter with a rectangular latrine turret to the south and various other structures. Gilbert de Umfraville had a timber castle on this site in C12. In the time of Edward II Oliver de St John obtained the castle when he married Elizabeth Umfraville, the young heiress. (Salter, 1991)
The monument consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period. Penmark is a substantial 13th century castle. A round tower stands to second floor level and a stretch of hugh curtain walling of the inner ward runs southwards from it. Fragmentary remains of other parts, with a large outer ward to the west. The castle was held by the de Umfreville family and then by the Bawdrips. (Scheduling Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
Not Listed
The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | ST058689 |
| Latitude | 51.4112281799316 |
| Longitude | -3.35508990287781 |
| Eastings | 305890 |
| Northings | 168900 |
