The ruins of Pennard Castle tower over the valley, below is Pennard Pill which meanders into Three Cliffs Bay and the Bristol Channel. Built in the early 12 century, and as with Swansea and Oystermouth Castles, most probably by Henry de Beaumont the 1st Earl of Warwick who had been made Lord of Gower by Henry III. Originally an earthwork with wooden pallisades it was rebuilt with local stone in the late 13th to early 14 century. Experts suggest the castle was poorly designed with inefficent arrow slits and was very vulnerable to sand encroachment from the exposed south westerly aspect. As a result it was abandond before the 15 century. All that remains today on the edge of the valley and between the golf course are parts of the stone hall, gatehouse, tower and parts of the curtain wall. It makes for a wonderful backdrop for the many thousands of visitors who manage to find their way to Three Cliffs Bay and to the greater expanse of Oxwich Bay which can be seen in the distance. On the edge of the cliff a lone hiker enjoys a packed lunch, the sunshine,  and the awesome view of one of the many beautiful beaches of Gower.