Penrice Castle is a large and very irregular hexagon with a round keep on the West side, to which were attached two other towers and wall. At the Northwest corner is a twin square towered gatehouse with another tower in the interior.

The ground falls away steeply on the North, East and South sides where there are various other turrets.

The whole structure is rather poorly built and is now in a dangerous condition.

The oldest part of the castle dates back to the 12th century whereas the curtain wall and semi-circular towers are 13th century.

~ History ~

1070's ~ A timber castle is built by Robert de Umfreville. His second son Gilbert is born at Penmark castle. The castle is one of two castles built to protect the territories gained by the Norman conquest into Wales, the other being Fonmon Castle.

1300's ~ Oliver de St John obtains the castle when he marries Elizabeth Umfraville, the young heiress to the castle and manor.

1402 ~ The castle is destroyed by Owain Glyndwr's Welsh forces during the rebellion against the English Crown.

1656 ~ The ruined castle is sold to Colonel Phillip Jones, a leading Parlimentarian.