Ogmore Castle was built by the Normans about 1162 to guard the mouth of the river on which it stands.

Ogmore Castle together with Newcastle and Coity Castles in Bridgend formed a continuous line of defence against the Welsh, who were angered at the loss of their lands used to descend in sweeping raids from their fastnesses in the hills.

The entire Ewenny area was considered so dangerous by the Normans that even their priory was built as a fortress.

Ogmore Castle was placed in the keeping of William de Londres; the fiercest and most capable of Robert Fitzhamon's knights.

Maurice de Londres, the son of the first lord was staying at Ogmore Castle to partake in a deer hunt in the surrounding woods. The disinherited Welsh poached these animals whenever the opportunity arose - the punishment of which was torture and death.

One day a Welshman of princely descent was caught in the act of unleashing an arrow at a stag. He was captured and taken to the castle.

In the morning the tools of torture were heated and the prisoner prepared for the initial stage of being blinded. He was brought forth for the enjoyment of the dwellers of the castle in the courtyard. The daughter of the Lord of Ogmore was impressed by this proud, unrepentant man and began to plead his case, reminding the Norman lords that it was they who had taken everything from the Welsh. It was her birthday and on this special occasion she craved a boon from her father that the life of this man be saved.

De Londres in good humour granted her wish and taking advantage of his good mood she pressed further; she begged that the Welsh be given a preserve of land on which they could hunt freely. The Lord demurred at this but granted the wish on one condition; that the land should be no greater than the area around which the girl could walk barefoot 'from now to sunet' - she pleaded for sandals but was refused.

She started off at a brisk pace, first up the neighbouring hillside and then across the undulating hill top; but thorns and brambles slowed her down making her feet bleed. She struggled on traversing the hill top as far as she dared in the limited time and then made her way down to the sea. At last, just before sunset she reached a point by the castle where the old farm house stands today.

The route she travelled was carefully marked by following soldiers and then became common ground.

It is now known as Southerndown Common and has belonged to the people ever since.