The original town hall of Kenfig was located nearer the mediaeval town itself; however, a will of a former Portreeve of Kenfig dated 1605 indicates that the burgesses of Kenfig were raising money towards the building of a new town hall. The new town hall's erection marked the removal of the town of Kenfig from Maudlam (This is where it had been re-established following the abandonment of the old town) to the site of the new village.

It's presently debatable whether the original building once stood on pillars with intervening arches with the ground floor serving as a meeting place and market. The town hall was the venue for both the Borough and Manorial Courts - inquests were also held here as the Portreeve was also the Borough Coroner.

The Inn itself dates from around the 15th century, its location within the ancient Borough of Kenfig being both of historical and commercial value to the locality throughout the ages. Previously called Ty Newydd (New House) Tavern, yet renamed in its present form during the late 18th century in honour of George, Prince of Wales, who, in 1820 was crowned George IV.

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 faced eastward and overlooked the old highway - Y Lane Fach (The Little Lane) around the year 1602. Sometimes also called 'The Corporation', the Inn was rebuilt in 1808 with its first floor room remaining of significant historical importance within the Borough.

This was the guild hall, now known as the town hall and is accessed via an external stairway to the main building. Its long 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.

It was here that they held their own courts, controlled trade, established commercial and public behaviour standards and enforced sanitation regulations. The festival of Gwyl Mabsant (Dancing Festival) was held in this upper room and on many occations it has also serverd as a mortuary for shipwrecked mariners.

A Griffith Jones circulating school was held here between 1739 and 1740 and up until recently has been the home of a Sunday school for over 130 years. The Trustees of the Kenfig Corporation Property who own the building continue to hold their meetings here in the town hall.

The 700 year old borough of Kenfig was dissolved in 1886 as a result of the Municipal Corporations Act 1883. The Charity Commisioners set up the Kenfig Corporation Trust which consisted of a committee of 12 people.

These were 4 burgesses, 4 others from the Rural Sanitary Authority, Bridgend and 4 from the Margam Local Board. They were responsible for the administration of the corporation and the adoption of the scheme of adjustment of powers.

The Charity Commissioners empowered to deal with its affairs set up the Kenfig Corporation Property which was formed of a committee of 12 people whcih included representatives from local authorities. This new committee was charged with the administration of the Borough Property.

Under a new scheme of management issued by the Charity Commissioners in 1998, the Kenfig Corporation Property was renamed The kenfig Corporation Trust.

[ Learn more about The Kenfig Corporation Trust ]