Type Manor House Owner Unknown Built 1399–1413 Material Rock | Area Around 2 Acres Condition Ruined Built by the Berkerolles | |
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Similar Limpert Bay, The Bulwarks - Porthkerry, Wenvoe Castle, Wrinstone, Barry Council Office an | ||
East Orchard Castle is a ruined building near St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, whose remains date mainly from the 14th century.
While it is called a castle it was not fortified in the style of one and appears to be more like a fortified manor house, but is rejected as such despite the remains of strong walls. It was destroyed by Llywelyn Bren, probably during the revolt of 1316.
The Orchards were built by the Berkerolles who received the land from Robert Fitzhammon after the conquest of Glamorgan 1091.
The castle is officially classed as post-medieval and broadly defined as a domestic, manor house dwelling. The historic site in its entirety contains a manor house, a barn, a chapel and a dovecote.
It has been ruins since the late 18th Century, as the house has been dismantled from 1756.
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales have a number of drawings of East Orchard Castle.
It is located on the eastern boundary of the St Athan community, approximately 1100 metres east of the Church of St Athan on the low cliff on the west side of the River Thaw, and is generally accessed by the lands of Rock Farm. There is a small stone bridge over a run-off of the river thaw that is likely related to the build of the castle (see image below).