Pencoed Castle

Pencoed Castle is a three-story stone structure in Langstone featuring battlemented parapets and Tudor-style windows across its exterior. The castle displays the architectural details characteristic of its construction period and maintains its original form.

Sir Thomas Morgan built this castle in the early 16th century on the foundations of an earlier Norman fortress that Sir Richard de la More held in 1270. The structure was constructed upon existing defensive works, layering different periods of fortification.

The name Pencoed comes from Welsh words meaning 'end of the wood', reflecting its position at the edge of the historical Wentwood forest. This connection to the landscape remains visible in how the castle sits within its wooded surroundings today.

The castle sits at the end of a narrow lane near the B4245 road, roughly one kilometer south of Llandevaud and one kilometer east of Llanmartin. Access comes through residential areas, so visitors should respect private property as they approach the site.

Lord Rhondda began restoration work on the castle in 1914 but abandoned the efforts after his death in 1918. The incomplete restoration left the castle frozen at that moment, with visible signs of work that never resumed.

Location: Langstone

Elevation above the sea: 65 m

GPS coordinates: 51.60030,-2.85864

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45