Oystermouth Castle

Oystermouth Castle is situated in the village of Mumbles in South Gower. It is the most intact of the Gower castles has a dramatic early history of invasions and warfare. It is believed to have suffered an invasion as early as the twelfth century and was subsequently repaired only to be burned again in 1216! King Edward 1 spent two nights in Oystermouth Castle in 1284 but the castle was again badly damaged just a few years later. Ownership then passes to the lords of Gower who made considerable improvements to the site.

The kitchen and main living accommodation was probably on the ground floor, a vaulted cellar lies below the keep and a three storey building developed complete with winding stairways, chapel and dungeons. There are two concave walls either side of the gateway which may be the remains of internal round towers. More warfare erupted when the castle was reoccupied by soldiers during the Civil War (1642- 48) but within just a few years the castle was left to decline. The Duke of Beaufort undertook repairs to his castle in the early 19th century and after further restoration it was opened to the public during summer. It grounds provide both an atmospheric setting for the Shakespearean plays hosted there and also fine views over Swansea Bay and Mumbles.

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