We often visit Ogmore Castle, in South Wales, on the south bank of the Ewenni, – Welsh spelling as it is in Wales – east of where it joins the river Ogmore just before it runs into the sea.
Castle viewed from Merthyr Mawr
Looking the other way from the castle. There are ponies and horses everywhere.
The castle was built by the Normans in about 1100 but I feel that there must have been something there before as our pendulums indicate that King Arthur is buried in one corner. Though bones of the great were often moved around as were King Harold’s now in Waltham Abbey.
This is where our pendulums say King Arthur is buried.
A great attraction are the stepping stones that were created soon after the castle was built. Legend has it that they were installed so a castle princess could visit her lover in Merthyr Mawr. It does not tell why he could not visit her. I didn’t count them when we were there and I have found varying counts on different web sites but, looking at the photographs I took, there seem to be about 40.
Some more Images
The stones lead to Merthyr Mawr which is a delightful Hamlet with a church and a few houses but a short walk takes you to a most wonderful nature reserve with the second highest sand dunes in Europe. We have not walked there yet so there are no images of the dunes but the hot link takes you to a good site.
So a few photos of the hamlet
Church and cemetery
Walking back to the castle and pub, The Pelican in Piety.
The legend of the stepping stones and the mere strength and skill of those that built them inspired a poem; here it is.
Stepping Stones Ogmore Castle
It is said, they were created
so a castle princess
could visit her lover.
They say the congregation
would tumble from
Merthyr Mawr church,
leap across to the pub
behind the castle.
Perhaps.
With chisel and maul,
plumb bob and square,
Norman masons
set 40 massive stones,
each with a level cap,
each deep into Ewenni’s bed.
Once runnelled
with many-toothed chisels
the steps are worn smooth
by a thousand years;
still level,
still steady,
still used.
© Anthony Fisher September 2018