Candleston Castle

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Candleston Castle is a 14^th century ruins of a former fortified manor house, very close to large coastal sand dunes and the very pretty village of Merthyr Mawr.  

How it's used in Merlin

Again, we don't know just yet. Percival, Merlin, Arthur and the knights were spotted there in spring 2012 but no pictures of filming were allowed.

The place itself

It's situated near the sand dunes of Merthry Mawr, in deep woods although the area around the castle is somewhere cleared. Luckily, it's high enough in elevation that the sand dunes have not overwhelmed it unlike another castle nearby but it's really a very small castle, mostly ruins. It looks like it could fall down at any moment. Visitors should be careful when looking around.

It was built in the 14^th century, occupied at that time by the de Cantilupe family, extended in the 17^th century and even in the 19^th century, it served as a farmhouse. It was finally abandoned in the late 19^th century. There was a legend that it was built on the site of an ancient oratory belonging to a Celtic chapel but it's not been confirmed.

Notes: the nearby sand dunes (the largest in Europe) were used in the movie, Lawrence of Arabia. The nearby Ogmore Castle has stepping stones across the Ewenny/Ogmore river; at low tide, you can use the stones to go across to Merthyr Mawr.

Links and details

The Wikipedia entry for Candleston Castle
The location on Google Maps
More pictures are on the merlinlocations flickr account.

There is a fee for car parking.

The address is: Merthyrmawr Road,  Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend CF32 0DT, United Kingdom

Rating

It's a very small castle and while the sand dunes beckon, it doesn't take long to look around. I'd give it 2 pointy hats.

Comments

[pakafe.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the report and directions it looks an interesting place we must visit. Loved the photos, one reminded me of the photo at Neath where Arthur and his Knights where officially photographed.
You travelled so far on your trip, look forward to more reports.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Actually, Neath is much less wild than this place. I thought at times the walls would fall down. It's really quite a ruin. Glad you liked it. You were really helpful to me with the Trefils quarry directions. I very much appreciate it!

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I'm a bit locations geek so any excuse to visit lovely locations is great with me. :D

[kathyh]

That's what I call a ruined castle! It looks very pretty and rather desolate. Great location. Thanks so much for sharing.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

It is very ruined. I thought at times it was a bit dangerous. Some of the walls were leaning in a little far for my tastes.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Apparently a lot of people go LARPing there. It's a fun place with the dunes so close. I also liked the little village since a lot of the houses were thatched.

[babydracky.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the report and all the explantions! The place is beuatiful.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

It's worth a trip. Next time, I'd have gone playing on the dunes, though. They looked like a lot of fun.

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this and all your recent posts, my friend! I really appreciate them, and I can only apologise for not commenting sooner. I know how long it takes to write these things up, so I'm doubly grateful for your efforts. :-)

This looks like a really interesting location - and good for a real scramble around in! I am so curious to see what they do with it in the show. It's terrific to still have new locations to check out, even during the fifth season!

Thank you again. ♥

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Sure. Glad to help. This is a really interesting location. I'm also curious to see how they are going to use it. Just be careful when you are there. There are hidden rocks and wobbly bits around the castle.

Note: I didn't have a tag for this one or Margam Country Park so I didn't put those in.

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the prompt, hon! I have now added location tags to the two posts you mention. I appreciate your thoroughness! ♥

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Thanks for adding the location tags!