See a panoramic view of the coastline near DunravenLarge, turf-covered ramparts cut off the headland and in the interior there are platforms which could have been Iron Age timber roundhouses.
Although coastal erosion has affected the site and the original entrance is thought to have been eroded away, enough of the interior and ramparts remain intact to give a valid impression of the original fort.
The main ramparts are found on the south west, where there's a steep slope, and they run eastwards from the cliff until they're cut off by the ruins of Dunraven Castle, a once fine Victorian mansion which was demolished in recent times.
The ramparts are two large parallel banks with a combined height of about 12 metres, rising in giant steps up the slope. Artificial steps have been inserted into the innermost rampart.
Directions: Take B4524 to Southerndown. The hillfort stands on the headland of Trwyn y Witch at the south end of Dunraven Bay.
your comments
Fanny Edwards, Port Perry, Canada
As a child our family spent a couple of summers at Dunraven Castle. It had been leased to Galleon Holidays as a hotel. Frankly it was not very castle-like or impressive as a building. It did have an excellent beach below a steep cliff walk. There was a small fallow deer herd in the park which had not been well maintained.
Marc from Cardiff
In answer to Erica Churchill's question, the name of Witches Point in Welsh is Trwyn y Witch, which means Witches Nose, due to the shape of the point when looked at from sea.
Marc from Cardiff
In answer to Erica Churchill's question, the name of Witches Point in Welsh is "Trwyn y Witch", which means Witches Nose, due to the shape of the point when looked at from sea.
George Clark, Worthing
I was evacuated to the Rest/Southerndown with my family. I think the the beach must be one of the best in Britain. Despite there being a war on it was one glorious holiday for us kids from London. I remember Frankie Perretta and his younger brother Pippi - there was a group of us young boys who formed a little gang always getting up to mischief. The school at St Brides, a two roomed building, was about a mile and half from the Rest, which we often walked to the bus fare. Wonderful memories..
Erica Churchill
Can anyone tell me why "Witches point" has this name? I have drawn a blank!! any information would be fantastic.
Robert Eynon
I had lots great times at Southerdown and Dunravan castle back in the sixties and seventies. My sister and myself went to Ogmore for our summer holidays. Most years it was great fun.
Robert Eynon
I had lots great times at Southerndown and Dunraven Castle back in the sixties and seventies. My sister and myself went to Ogmore for our summer holidays - most years it was great fun.
Rhys Jenkins, Peterborough, Canada
My father grew up in St. Brides Major, which is a short walk from Southerndown, and he says Lord Dunraven had the castle dismantled because the taxes were too high. I was there last summer and a few locals confirmed this. It's a shame, you can see it was an impressive place!
Kirsty Cooke from Rhondda
This place has been in my dreams from a child, every night. I've dreamt that I've been here before and when I explained my dream to my husband he took me here as he was a keen surfer and recognised the area. As soon as he took me there I was home - how strange! I felt at peace.
Doreen Driscoll, Newcastle Emlyn
I would like to know more about the history of Dunraven Castle. You know it goes back to the years of 75 BC? I have found that out by researching the family tree. One of our ansestors lived there then was named Llyr Llediaith.(King Lear 11. What was the castle looking like then I wonder??)
Dave, Kenfig Hill
I have visited Dunraven Gardens many times and taken many vistors there. It always amazes me. Could some one please tell me why it was demolished as there are conflicting reasons.
Frank Perretta North London
Jenny Cardiff,I well remember the Pearce family,Mrs Bevan had a small grocery shop,I was very friendly with Alan Pearce,brother of David.Your Grandfather was in the Home Guard during the war.
Jenny from Cardiff
My father was born and raised at Westfield in Southerndown (from 1926 on) and his name is David Pearce. My grandfather died in 1986 and the house was sold. I haven't been there for many years as I don't drive and I know the bus service isn't regular. Dunraven Castle was completely demolished - not taken to the US as some people think. I used to play in the grounds when I stayed in Southerndown.My great grandmother nursed at the Castle during WW1 when it was used as a military hospital. Apparently she saw the Blue Lady, the ghost, several times. She used to appear at the end of the bed of a soldier who was dying. I did Dunraven Castle as my thesis for History in 1966!
Frank Perretta, London
I was evacuated to The Rest, Southerndown, during the war and went to school at St Brides Major. I visited Dunraven Castle many times - at that time it was a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. I went to concerts and dances there and have happy memories of that area and the many friends I made there. During the war we had the beach at Southerndown completely to ourselves.
Sharon Jones (nee Thomas), Anglesey
Spent a good few years working here with the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. It's a very special place (and where I met my husband) and holds many special memories for me.
Steve from Bridgend
I read somewhere that the castle at Dunraven was demolished and transported to the US where it was reassembled, the owner being a US army officer who stayed at the castle during WW2. I wonder whether this story has any substance.
Wendy Thomas from Bridgend
One of the nicest places on Earth. Take a stroll through the gardens and have a look at the poem in the gazebo.
Verina Bertorelli, Bridgend
I have lived in the Bridgend area all my life and have made many many visits to both Ogmore and Dunraven Bay - both are very beautiful. The castle at Dunraven is very fascinating and I would be interested to find a photograph of it in its original state.
See some pictures of Dunraven Castle before it was demolished
Barri Chamberlain, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
I was born in the Garw Valley, a coal mining valley in Mid Glamorgan. As kids we used to cycle to Southerndown and explore the cliffs and swim in the cold sea. It was a relatively exclusive area, too far to walk to and not serviced by public transport. It was bicycles and cars only and there were few cars in the late forties. Cider in the Golden Cups was the nectar of the Gods.
Pat McDonough, Newport
I've visited the gardens of Dunraven Castle and the surrounding cliffs and beach a few times now, and I feel the need to know more about the Castle. It is a beautiful area and has a magic feel.
Colin Davies, Courtenay, B.C. Canada
I grew up in Southerndown. My parents had the "Three Golden Cups" and my bedroom overlooked Dunraven Castle, which was destroyed in a fit of pique by a wealthy magnate when he was not allowed to develop the site. That whole area was - and still is - a beautiful place, which I still visit every couple of years :-))
Vanessa Vivero from Mexico
This is the nicest place I've ever been at, where the country side joins the sky, the sand and the sea, amazing place.
Mary Turvey from Neath
Dunraven is a pretty little bay, very peaceful. Disappointing to find no information about the actual castle on site.
