OGMORE BY SEA
With amazing views along the Heritage Coast and across the estuary to Merthyr Mawr and Porthcawl, Ogmore is a great place for a day out. Explore the caves and rock pools, but take care as the tides change suddenly, and this is no place for sea bathing or taking risks. En route to Ogmore by Sea is Ogmore Castle situated by the river and the Stepping Stones over to Merthyr Mawr. Take tea in the Tea-Rooms by the river, or spend some time at the ancient Pelican Inn overlooking the castle.
The Legend of Ogmore by Sea
The legend related to Ogmore Castle is so similar to the one at Ewenny that it is possible that the woman mentioned in the two stories is one and the same.
The story talks of a local man who was told about some hidden treasure by the Lady of Ogmore. It was buried within the castle and she offered to share it with him. He agreed to this, but later, overcome by selfish greed, he came back to the castle and took remaining treasure. The story goes on to say that apparently the ghost of the dead Lady confronted him and accused him of stealing. She then went on to attack him leaving him badly injured. When the man returned home he later suffered a mysterious illness, from which he eventually died. This illness has since been known as ‘The White Lady’s Revenge’
Another story connected with the Castle is as follows:
For a very long time, the Norman overlords were in control of the Castle and area and as the conquering power of the time, they were in the habit of taking whatever they wanted, without thought for the welfare of the Welsh. As a result, although the area was rich in stag and game, during the time of Maurice De Londres, Lord of Ogmore the Welsh ended up with no hunting grounds or rights.
The punishment for poaching was torture and finally death and one poacher was caught in the act. He had a very lucky escape due owing to the intervention of De Londre's daughter. Being very aware of the plight of the local Welsh, she pleaded for the accused person and asked that some land be given back to them to hunt for food. It was her birthday, so her father agreed on the condition that whatever land was given back should be no more than the area around which his daughter could walk barefoot from then till sunset. She agreed and started her walk. By the time the sun had set she had reached a position close to the castle approximately where the old farmhouse stands today. The land contained within then became common land and has belonged to the people ever since and still known today as Southerndown Common.
At the side of Ogmore Castle is the confluence of the Rivers Ogmore and Ewenny. Higher up stream the two rivers branch off in a ‘V’ shape leaving a piece of land in the middle between the rivers. Legend has it that the famous Celtic chieftain King Arthur fought his last battle on this piece of land on the banks of the two rivers. The story states that he was fatally wounded and in order to keep the Kingdom together, his death was kept secret and his body laid in a cave in Coed y Mwstwr forest.
Tours by foot - Merthyr Mawr
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