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Local Historical Information
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Kenfig & surrounding areaKenfig and its surrounding area is steeped in history from prehistoric times through to
having strong Roman and Viking influences on a more modern historical timescale. The surrounding
neighbourhoods of Kenfig grew up from the incursion of sand that eventually engulfed the city of Kenfig.
The ancient city of Kenfig's real history probably begins around the time of the Normans with
the building of Kenfig Castle in the 12th century. Learn about Kenfig and its surrounding areas. From
The Buried City of Kenfig,
Kenfig Castle, and Kenfig Pool, through to the
Geological Make-up of Kenfig and its surrounding areas
in general.
Where is the ancient Borough of Kenfig?
Locate Kenfig and its buried city together with a host of other important
local travel and tourist Information here on kenfig.org [ Location Guide ]
Kenfig through the Ages
History /
The Town Hall of Kenfig
The Town Hall of Kenfig - The Prince of Wales Inn
The original town hall of Kenfig was located nearer the mediaeval town itself; the new town hall became
The Prince of Wales Inn. The Inn itself is the present Townhall which replaced the old guild hall of the ancient Borough of Kenfig
which once stood in the old medieval town and is the focal point of the Borough both within its present and former transitions.
The building is owned by The Kenfig Corporation Trust. Its upstairs room has been in continuous usage for centuries and it was within this very room that the Burgesses
exercised their rights granted by the Kenfig charters.
We have set up Kenfig.org News Group to encourage the learning and sharing of knowledge and information on
all aspects of the Kenfig and surrounding areas. We welcome topical debates and would like to encourage members
of the local communities to add their own experiences and help with the overall Kenfig.org website.
Anybody can view the content on Kenfig.org News Group || Anyone can join || Only Members can post, create and edit pages
and upload files
Subscribe today and help preserve your heritage for present and future generations to learn from
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History of the Area
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Ancient Footprints - Kenfig
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News Story online
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Ancient Footprints at Kenfig
Recently discovered below the high tide mark, between Gwely'r Misgl and Sker Point, the dating of footprints at kenfig
are estimated between the beginning of the 1st century BC to the beginning of the 2nd century AD.
Recent Feedback
The footprints were first reported to the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust and investigated
by their Dr Edith Evans and Elizabeth Walker from the National Museum of Wales - they estimated them
to be 2000 years old. These findings were based on peat beds exposed at Blackpill near Swansea,
but there are at least three levels of peat on Kenfig Sands and that containing the footprints is
the lowest uncovered by the outgoing tide. The upper peat bed at Kenfig has yielded hoofprints
of cattle which could show evidence of farming in the region.
An expert in the field of hominid tracks, Dr Silvia Gonzalez of John Moores University Liverpool,
carried out a full survey of the site, identifying prints from at least two adults and a child, giving
rise to the possibility of a settlement nearby. The footprints are the latest of just 56 sites of hominid
footprints in the world and the only ones yet discovered in peat, making them unique. Dr Gonzalez
estimated they were at least 4,500 years old and said that something quite cataclysmic must have
occurred soon after they were made to have preserved them so well.
As the footprints were made in peat, they can yield far more than others discovered in rock or mud -
a detailed report is due out by Dr Gonzalez in the near future. This recent feedback has been kindly
provided by Steve Maitland Thomas, who, in addition to John Blundell discovered the footprints on
Kenfig Sands in January 2007.
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Source: Steve Maitland Thomas, Porthcawl
Photo: Glamorgan Gwent Archaelogical Trust
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NMW - National Museum Cardiff
News Story: 8000 year old footprints ICWales
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17th Century Kenfig
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17th Century Kenfig
In the early 1600's, the population of Kenfig was around 200 - a church and village at Maudlam, a few scattered houses
at Ton Kenfig and Sker Farm. In 1607 there was a great storm and many people lost their lives in the county when lowland
areas became flooded. (1607 tsunami)
Saint Philip Evans (1645-1679) - Roman Catholic priest arrested at Sker House in 1678 - executed at Cardiff, 22 July 1679
in the hysteria of the Titus Oates plot to kill King Charles II.
Kenfig through the Ages
17th Century Kenfig [ Learn more ]
Kenfig during Civil War Years (1642) [ Learn more ]
Kenfig Castle
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Kenfig Castle
Built c.1140 AD by Robert Fitzhamon, Lord of Gloucester this Norman castle was at the heart of
Kenfig's infrastructure as an important maritime trading town.
Controlled by the Normans Kenfig was seen by the Welsh as an economic and political threat and was attacked
at least nine times or more.
Kenfig Castle [ Learn more ]
Medieval Kenfig
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Medieval Kenfig
The Kenfig Borough included old Kenfig, modern kenfig, Maudlam, much of North Cornelly, Marlas, Pyle
and some of kenfig Hill - it was controlled from Kenfig Castle which housed
the town's courts and jail.
As inhabitants of the borough, the townsfolk of Kenfig were known as burgesses and were entitled to various rights
and privileges, which were written in a charter - The earliest surviving Kenfig charter is that of
Thomas Le Despenser, granted in 1397.
Kenfig through the Ages
Medieval Kenfig [ Learn more ]
Acknowledgements
Documents/Publications |
Author |
Reference |
Location |
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| Photos: Prince of Wales Inn, Kenfig | Steve Parker | www.tonkenfig.co.uk | Ton Kenfig, Bridgend | |||
| Information: Local History | Bridgend County Borough Council | www.bridgend.gov.uk | Bridgend |
