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Bridgend Travel Guide: 24 reviews and 81 photos

Bridgend (Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr) is a town in the County Borough of Bridgend in South Wales. It is roughly at the halfway point between the cities of Cardiff and Swansea.
The river Ogmore is crossed by the original bridge that gave the town its name, but the River Ewenny also passes south of the town.

Invaders at Coity Castle

After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the English king looked westwards to create new seats for lords loyal to William The Conqueror and Groups of Norman Barons arrived in Wales creating what would later become the Welsh Marches in the south and east, whilst the north and some of the west remained largely unconquered due to the harsh terrain and fierce opposition.

At Coity a local Welsh chieftain called Morgan Gam had already built a stronghold and during the 11th century The Norman Lord Payn de Turberville approached Morgan to turn over control of Coity Castle to de Turberville. Morgan Gam agreed, but only if de Turberville either fought Morgan for the land, or took Gam's daughter Sybil's hand in marriage. Turberville married Sybil becoming Lord of Coity.

In the early part of the 12th c Newcastle Castle which is on Newcastle Hill overlooking the town centre and Ogmore Castle were built by Robert Fitzhamon and William de Londres respectively. Then some 2 miles north-east of Ogmore Castle Maurice de Londres founded the fortified Benedictine Ewenny Priory in 1141.

These three castles provided a "defensive triangle" for the area which was further strengthened when Ewenny Priory was Fortified by William de Londres's Son Maurice.

Coity Castle

Last visit to Bridgend: Oct 2009
Intro Written Oct 19, 2009
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Reviews (2)

Coity Castle Things to Do (2)

At Coity a local Welsh chieftain called Morgan Gam had already built a stronghold and during the 11th century The Norman... more travel advice

Newcastle Things to Do (2)

The Castle controlled a ford on the river Ogmore and was probably built in the early 12c and would have been then... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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Paolomusc Dec 30, 2010 at 3:10 AM

Brilliant information. As a local resident I appreciate it. How can I link my detail on the town to yours, so people get both aspects?
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HORSCHECK Oct 24, 2009 at 2:24 AM

Gareth, fabulous start here. I think I passed through Bridgened by train, but unfortunatly didn't take a break there.
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Myfanwe Oct 8, 2009 at 1:25 AM

Can't wait to see your pics of Coity Castle, I bet they're really moooo-ving ;-)