Oxwich Castle
Overview
A castle in name only but hugely impressive
Appearances can be deceptive. Oxwich Castle, towering splendidly above the wide sweep of Oxwich Bay, isn’t really a castle at all.
It’s a magnificent Tudor manor house built by an ambitious father and son whose mock-military flourishes are all about social climbing rather than defence.
From the moment you walk through the imposing gateway emblazoned with the arms of Sir Rice Mansel, it’s clear this was the home of a gentry family looking to be movers and shakers in the prosperous years of the 16th century.
Sir Rice’s relatively humble south range, used as a farmhouse for about 200 years until 1954, is still intact. But his son Edward’s extravagant south range, with its two-storey hall and elegant long gallery with stupendous sea views, now lies in ruins.
Outside the courtyard are the remains of an immense dovecote with 300 nests. This was partly to provide the castle with year-round fresh meat – and partly just to show off. Remarkably Oxwich is still owned by descendants of the Mansel family.
Opening times
Closed
Facilities
Accessible toilets available at this site for visitor use.
Toilets available with baby changing facilities.
Bike storage area available in car park or close to the monument.
Grassed car park for approx. 15/20 cars. No dedicated accessible parking spaces.
Dogs on leads welcome but not into exhibitions.
On-site exhibition within monument.
Site guidebook available to purchase online and in selected visitor centres.
Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.
Cadw do not allow drone flying from or over its guardianship sites, except by contractors commissioned for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and are operating under controlled conditions.
Smoking is not permitted.
A portable induction loop is available.
Picnic benches and /or tables are available for visitor use.
To book your free self-led education visit to this site, go to our self-led education visits section.
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
Toilets in the castle grounds, 50 metres from ticket office.
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Tea and coffee available
Directions
Road A4118, 17.6km/11mls South West of Swansea (in Oxwich village)
17km/11mls Swansea, on the Cardiff-Swansea route.
45m/50yards, route No 117/118, Swansea-Horton/Rhossili.
NCN Route No.4 (15km/9mls).
Postcode SA3 1ND
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0871 200 2233 or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.
Contact us
Telephone 03000 252239
Email
OxwichCastle@gov.wales
Oxwich Castle,
Oxwich SA3 1ND
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01792 390359
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
Oxwich SA3 1ND
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01792 390359
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
