About
There were thought to be two castles within Bridgend, one (known as Old Castle) was possibly located within the Merthyr Mawr Road area (although no remains have been found here) and the second (Newcastle) was located on top of a high piece of land overlooking the River Ogmore.
Newcastle was believed to have been founded by Robert Fitzhamon, Baron of Gloucester. Little remains of the earth and timber ringwork that was the original castle fortification. This was replaced in the 1180s when a stone keep was constructed. This was attributed to William FitzRobert, Earl of Gloucester. The large curtain wall and the polygonal shell that can still be seen today was built soon after. Given that the later structures are of a higher standard and built out of ashlar it is believed that King Henry II was responsible for their construction. The king had taken control of the castle following the Welsh rebellion of Morgan ap Caradog in 1183-4. Two later towers were added to the castle. The castle swapped from royal hands to local lords throughout the next couple of centuries until the 16th Century when the castle was converted to a Tudor home.
The castle today is in a ruined state, but its faded grandeur can still be seen. It is one of the best examples of a 12th century castle in Wales. A rare survivor is the Romanesque round head arch with attached crude Ionic column which frames the doorway into the castle. No other decoration of this type is known within Glamorgan. Check the Cadw website for open dates and times: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/newcastle-bridgend
