Heritage Hiker’s Guide to Merthyr Mawr

Merthyr Mawr Village

Merthyr Mawr is well known for its sand dunes but set back from the shore behind them is a quaint village that is home to a number of beautiful thatched cottages and the church of St Teilo’s . Merthyr Mawr is on the opposite bank of the River Ewenny from Ogmore and is steeped in history, Neolithic and Bronze Age finds show just how early the landscape was in use. It is home to the Candleston Cist (which contained a Bronze Age dagger and food vessel) and Cae Summerhouse Iron Age/Roman Camp.

History of St Teilo’s Church

The current St Teilo’s Church was built in the 19^th century and hides its very early beginnings. If you look around to the back of the graveyard you will see a tin covered shelter housing a collection of early stones from the area, including two 5^th and 6^th century memorial stones from the site which indicate very early origins as a religious site. The churchyard cross here dates to the 14^th century.

Merthyr Mawr is located next to the area known as Candleston. Here you will find the remains of Candleston Castle, a 14^th century fortified Manor.

Visiting Candleston Castle

Candleston Castle was built in the 14^th century and abandoned in the 19^th century the site remains impressive, walls and internal features can be found still standing, wrapped in ivy and hidden within the sand dunes and trees.  The building was used continuously over the years firstly as a family home and later as a Farmhouse.

There is parking at Candleston (charges apply) or you can walk from nearby Ogmore Castle.

Walks

There is a 5.5 mile long walk that covers the area. This can be linked in with the longer 8 mile Vale Trail 1 as featured in the Ogmore-by-sea blog.

For articles relating to areas near Merthyr Mawr please see Ogmore-by-sea and Southerndown