Oystermouth Castle is a 12th-century hilltop vestige with panoramic views of Swansea Bay, rolling hills and woodland. Standing on a vantage point in a pleasant meadow, the site has many secrets to share. Inspect graffiti from the 1300s and imagine the lives of the Normans who inhabited the castle.
Admire the stone walls of the structure that were built almost a millennium ago. View the castle from above as you amble along the glass bridge at a height of 30 feet (9 metres). Here you will have views of parts of the castle that were off limits for centuries. Continue along the transparent platform to reach the chapel. The castle and its many rooms seem surprisingly large from the inside.
Delve into the network of vaults and hidden staircases beneath the castle. Attend one of the exhibits and events that are held in these ruins. Sit on a patch of grass with a picnic and enjoy the view of Swansea Bay and the headland of the Mumbles.
Talk to friendly staff about the castle and its place in Swansea’s past. A video and a free map are available for additional context.
Learn the rich history of the castle, which was initially built in 1106 before being destroyed and reconstructed several times. The Lords of Gower held the castle in the 13th century, adding a chapel, basements, fireplaces and other parts to the building. It fell into decline after the Middle Ages.
The castle is open to visits from late morning to late afternoon from the beginning of April to the end of September. There is an admission fee, however, young kids enter for free and families get discounts.
Oystermouth Castle is on the headland of the Mumbles region on the southwestern outskirts of Swansea. It is a 17-minute drive from the city centre and can easily be reached by bus. Find the castle in a rural area just north of the residential part of Oystermouth. Parking is available for a fee in one of the lots along the seafront.
