Oxwich CastleHistoric SiteRemains of a sumptuous, mock-fortified manor built by the Mansel family during the sixteenth century. OS map 159: SS 497862
The Mansel family had been small landowners in west Gower since the fourteenth century. They had a castle or a fortified manor house at Oxwich, of which almost nothing survives. It was Sir Rice Mansel (1487-1559) who transformed the family fortunes. He seized the opportunities to gain power and status given to the Welsh gentry with the accession of the Tudor king Henry VII (1485 – 1509), and the Act of Union between England and Wales in 1536.
Rice’s guardian was Sir Mathew Cradock, a Swansea merchant ship owner and naval commander.
From this beginning, Rice became famous as a soldier in Flanders and later in Ireland. He was knighted in 1526 and from 1536 was given a number of official positions in Wales and the Marches. He married three times, which extended his estates, and through his third wife Cecily, a lady-in-waiting to Princess (later Queen) Mary, made close links at court.
He prospered by acquiring much of the estates of Margam Abbey, following the dissolution of the monasteries. By the time Mary came to the throne in 1553, Rice was the most important man in south Wales.SwanseaSwanseaUnited Kingdomhttp://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/oxwichcastle/?lang=en
Oxwich Castle
Historic Site, £2.60-£4
Oxwich Castle
Details
Remains of a sumptuous, mock-fortified manor built by the Mansel family during the sixteenth century. OS map 159: SS 497862
1 November 2016 - 31 March 2017 Closed 1 April - 31 October 2017 Wednesday to Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm; Monday & Tuesday Closed (Except Bank Holidays when open Monday and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday). Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Prices
Prices valid until March 2018 Adult - £4.00 Family (2 adults and up to 3 children under 16) - £11.90 Senior citizens, students and children under 16 - £2.60 Children under 5 - Free
Oxwich Castle
Oxwich Castle
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Local Accommodation
Baby changing facilities
Coach parties accepted
Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Disabled toilets
Gift shop
Picnic site
Public toilets
Regional Tourist Board Member
Accepts groups
Children welcome
Dogs accepted
Smoking not allowed
Facilities for hearing impaired
