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MERTHYR MAWR
Merthyr Mawr is an idyllic little settlement, as picturesque as they come, with an outstanding collection of Thatched Dwellings straight from the pages of a Thomas Hardy novel, beautifully positioned around an old Village Green. Surrounded by meadows and woodlands, the Ancient Church, which dates back to the middle of the 19th century, was built on an ancient site that still stands guard over the residents. If you are a fan of obscure, long-lost historic sites, then search out Candleston Castle, once a 15th century fortified mansion house on the edge of the Sahara-like dunes of Merthyr Mawr Warren. It is now an ivy covered ruin that was the centre point of the village of Treganlaw, buried beneath the ever shifting sands of Merthyr Mawr Warren. The present warren is all that is left of what was once the Largest Sand Dune Complex In Britain, stretching along the coast to Mumbles. The warren is an important wildlife habitat and site of scientific interest, which shelters a rich variety of plants. Parts of the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ were filmed here.
Cross the ‘Swing Bridge’ and over the stepping stones to Ogmore Castle and Castle tea rooms, but take care as the tides can be exceptionally dangerous as they change very quickly and you could be isolated on the wrong side of the river. Its easy to see why the Normans built a Castle here as it commands a strategic position on the River Ewenny.
At the entrance to Merthyr Mawr village is the 'Dipping Bridge' built in the 15th century with holes in the parapets where farmers once pushed reluctant sheep into the River Ogmore for a seasonal dip! At the side of the bridge once stood an Inn where the landlord would rob and murder travellers en route to St. David’s shrine.
The Legend of Merthyr Mawr
It is very easy to see why so many legends and stories have been woven around the decaying ruins of Candleston Castle, mysteriously positioned in its eerie setting surrounded by stark windswept trees being strangled by the ever-encroaching sand. The whole area has a ghostly appearance, especially in the moonlight! The truth is that it was not a castle at all but a fortified manor house that once belonged to the Norman family of Cantelupes (Running Wolves). As you would expect, the Castle is believed to be haunted! The ghostly appearances seem to come from a strange area nearby. According to legend, it was an ancient oratory belonging to a Celtic Chapel. Many old stones and crosses were found in the area. One of the stones was known as the goblin stone. The stone itself was believed to be haunted by an unknown ghost who would surprise passing folk, capture them and force them to embrace this particular stone. No sooner had they done so than they would find their hands and feet trapped amongst the ancient intertwining carvings. Their only means of escape was to pray. The biggest mystery of Candleston however, is the lost village of Treganllaw (Welsh for: The town of a hundred hands) Little information is known regarding the village, but it was believed to be situated near to the manor house. What unfortunate end came to it and its inhabitants is not known, but there is the possibility that it was smothered by the moving sands from the nearby dunes.
Tours by foot - Merthyr Mawr
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