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Kenfig Castle

Heritage Site in Glamorgan

Wales

Kenfig Castle

Kenfig Pool, Kenfig National Nature Reserve Glamorgan’s largest natural lake, Kenfig Pool, is set on the edge of this beautiful area of Sand Dunes.
Kenfig Pool, Kenfig National Nature Reserve Credit: Nigel Homer

Kenfig Castle is a historic castle located in the county of Glamorgan, Wales. Situated in the town of Kenfig, the castle has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Originally built as a motte and bailey castle, it was later rebuilt in stone during the 13th century.

The castle played an important role in the defense of the region during the medieval period. It served as a stronghold for the Norman lords of Glamorgan and was strategically positioned to control the nearby river crossing and protect the local population. Over the years, the castle underwent several modifications and expansions, including the addition of a large gatehouse and a curtain wall.

Unfortunately, the castle's fortunes declined in the 14th century due to the encroachment of sand dunes, causing the nearby town of Kenfig to be abandoned. The shifting sands eventually swallowed much of the castle, burying it under layers of sand. Today, only the ruins of the gatehouse and parts of the curtain wall remain visible.

Kenfig Castle is now a designated heritage site and is managed by Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service. It is a popular destination for history enthusiasts and visitors interested in exploring the castle's medieval past. The site offers guided tours, informative displays, and a visitor center providing insight into the castle's history and significance. Additionally, the castle is surrounded by Kenfig National Nature Reserve, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the beautiful coastal dunes and wildlife that thrive in the area.

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Kenfig Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.528/-3.723 or Grid Reference SS8082. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Kenfig Pool, Kenfig National Nature Reserve Glamorgan’s largest natural lake, Kenfig Pool, is set on the edge of this beautiful area of Sand Dunes.
Kenfig Pool, Kenfig National Nature Reserve
Glamorgan’s largest natural lake, Kenfig Pool, is set on the edge of this beautiful area of Sand Dunes.
Kenfig Burrows This incredible expanse of sand dunes is a protected nature reserve
Kenfig Burrows
This incredible expanse of sand dunes is a protected nature reserve
Kenfig Industrial Estate Looking SE down the main artery of the Estate that occupies the Eastern half of the square
Kenfig Industrial Estate
Looking SE down the main artery of the Estate that occupies the Eastern half of the square
Carr scrub on Kenfig Burrows Although sand dunes dominate the Burrows, other features can be found. This carr scrub largely comprises hawthorn but in other areas, where the ground is wetter, birch predominates. the effect of motorcycles being used on such land surface is clearly seen.
Carr scrub on Kenfig Burrows
Although sand dunes dominate the Burrows, other features can be found. This carr scrub largely comprises hawthorn but in other areas, where the ground is wetter, birch predominates. the effect of motorcycles being used on such land surface is clearly seen.
Mere on Kenfig Burrows The map indicates a number of meres on the Burrows. These form in dips between the dunes but are not as obvious as the map would indicate as they tend to be boggy areas rather than clear cut ponds with varying depths of water.
Mere on Kenfig Burrows
The map indicates a number of meres on the Burrows. These form in dips between the dunes but are not as obvious as the map would indicate as they tend to be boggy areas rather than clear cut ponds with varying depths of water.
Margam Moors with grazing cattle Cattle graze in the varied habitat of the dunes and moor.
Margam Moors with grazing cattle
Cattle graze in the varied habitat of the dunes and moor.
Kenfig Industrial Estate
Kenfig Industrial Estate
Kenfig National Nature Reserve Kenfig Pool is Glamorgan’s largest natural lake close to the steelworks at Port Talbot and to Bridgend. The reserve is one of the finest wildlife habitats in Wales and one of the last remaining examples of the huge dune system that once stretched along the coast of South Wales from the River Ogmore to the Gower peninsula. Surrounding the pool the dunes are home to a wide variety of wild orchids, as well as insects and other wildlife. Otters have been seen among the reed beds recently and among a variety of wildfowl the site is a regular wintering location for the Bittern and is a summer breeding site for Reed and Sedge Warblers. The scarcer Aquatic Warbler regularly visits in autumn. Kenfig is therefore one of the most important sites in Britain for nature conservation.
Kenfig National Nature Reserve
Kenfig Pool is Glamorgan’s largest natural lake close to the steelworks at Port Talbot and to Bridgend. The reserve is one of the finest wildlife habitats in Wales and one of the last remaining examples of the huge dune system that once stretched along the coast of South Wales from the River Ogmore to the Gower peninsula. Surrounding the pool the dunes are home to a wide variety of wild orchids, as well as insects and other wildlife. Otters have been seen among the reed beds recently and among a variety of wildfowl the site is a regular wintering location for the Bittern and is a summer breeding site for Reed and Sedge Warblers. The scarcer Aquatic Warbler regularly visits in autumn. Kenfig is therefore one of the most important sites in Britain for nature conservation.
Kenfig Burrows Kenfig Nature Reserve is one of Wales' top sand-dune reserves, with plants like wild fen orchids, birds and insects depending on this habitat for their survival. It is one of the last remnants of a huge dune system that once stretched along the coastline of southern Wales from the Ogmore River to the Gower peninsula. The wales Coast Path travels along its length.
Kenfig Burrows
Kenfig Nature Reserve is one of Wales' top sand-dune reserves, with plants like wild fen orchids, birds and insects depending on this habitat for their survival. It is one of the last remnants of a huge dune system that once stretched along the coastline of southern Wales from the Ogmore River to the Gower peninsula. The wales Coast Path travels along its length.
Ordnance Survey Rivet This OS rivet can be found on the weir on the Afon Cynffig. It marks a point 7.660m above mean sea level.
Ordnance Survey Rivet
This OS rivet can be found on the weir on the Afon Cynffig. It marks a point 7.660m above mean sea level.
Sandy Pathways
Sandy Pathways
Picnic table - Kenfig Pool Picnic area at Kenfig Pool
Picnic table - Kenfig Pool
Picnic area at Kenfig Pool
Kenfig Pool Pool at Kenfig nature reserve.
Kenfig Pool
Pool at Kenfig nature reserve.
Kenfig Pool Kenfig Pool viewed through trees in winter.
Kenfig Pool
Kenfig Pool viewed through trees in winter.
Kenfig Pool
Kenfig Pool
Kenfig Pool Set among the dunes of the Kenfig Nature Reserve, Kenfig Pool covers about 70 acres. According to local legend, the lake is bottomless; it is not, of course, the maximum depth is about 12 feet.
Kenfig Pool
Set among the dunes of the Kenfig Nature Reserve, Kenfig Pool covers about 70 acres. According to local legend, the lake is bottomless; it is not, of course, the maximum depth is about 12 feet.
Kenfig Pool Looking through the branches of a tree on the southern shore of Kenfig Pool with the steelworks at Port Talbot discernible through the haze in the distance.
Kenfig Pool
Looking through the branches of a tree on the southern shore of Kenfig Pool with the steelworks at Port Talbot discernible through the haze in the distance.
Kenfig Pool Set among the dunes of the Kenfig Nature Reserve, Kenfig Pool covers about 70 acres. According to local legend, the lake is bottomless; it is not, of course, the maximum depth is about 12 feet.
Kenfig Pool
Set among the dunes of the Kenfig Nature Reserve, Kenfig Pool covers about 70 acres. According to local legend, the lake is bottomless; it is not, of course, the maximum depth is about 12 feet.
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Kenfig Castle is located at Grid Ref: SS8082 (Lat: 51.528, Lng: -3.723)

What 3 Words

///amicably.backed.severe. Near Pyle, Bridgend

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Kenfig Castle

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Located within 500m of 51.528,-3.723
Maxheight: 3.5
Lat/Long: 51.5310226/-3.7221089
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Addr Postcode: CF33 4PG
Fhrs Id: 1061428
Source Addr Postcode: FHRS Open Data
Wheelchair: limited
Wikidata: Q80858154
Lat/Long: 51.5241283/-3.7209738
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Denomination: anglican
Religion: christian
Wikidata: Q17738361
Lat/Long: 51.5237906/-3.7216109
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Railway: junction
Lat/Long: 51.5311213/-3.7205366
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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