The Heritage Hiker’s Guide to Penmark

Where is Penmark?

Penmark – Pen-marc is a rural village south-west of Barry near Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, close to Cardiff Wales Airport. It is a small village with a church, castle and a public house all within short distance of each other. Within the village there have been finds of Roman and Medieval pottery indicating settlement within the area from the Roman period onwards.

When was Penmark Castle built?

Penmark Castle was built for the de Umfreville family in the early 12th century. The castle would have originally been built in timber and later stone. The castle is first mentioned in documents dated to 1307 but, by 1622 the castle is recorded as ruinous. Currently the castle is sited on private land but its’ walls can be easily viewed from the back of the church graveyard next to the site.

Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the largest churches in the Vale of Glamorgan. The church is mentioned for the first time in 1254 and consists of a nave and separate chancel, west tower and south porch. The south door has been dated to the 14th century and the west tower was added in the 15th or 16th century. Restorations took place in 1800, around 1860 and in 1893. The font is probably 13th century.

The churchyard cross was restored in 1888 with a new modern base, socket-stone and cross shaft. In the graveyard there listed memorial stones dedicated to Sarah Elizabeth Jones and John and Mary Jenkins

History of The Six Bells

The Six Bells is a public house located opposite the Church of St Mary the Blessed from which the original six bells in the tower gave it its name. The earliest mention of the building dates back to 1622. It was once one of 3 ale houses in the village.

Walks

There is a Valeways Walk that takes in Penamark, Lancarfan and Fonmon (starting at Lancarfan) or a longer circular route that takes you to Rhoose.

For articles relating to areas near Penmark see Rhoose, Lancarfan and Fonmon.