The Gower Peninsula
The 19-mile long Gower Peninsula was the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), designated back in 1956. Famous for its beautiful beaches and spectacular coastline, Gower packs in a lot of variety in a relatively small geographical area. The south coast is dominated by limestone cliffs and sandy bays, whereas the north coast is low-lying, with salt marshes and dunes. Inland are secluded woodlands and wild moorland grazed by the famous Gower ponies. The peninsula is also home to over a thousand archaeological sites, including medieval castles, churches, caves, Iron Age forts and a cast-iron lighthouse. Twenty-six miles of Gower’s coastline, including the salt marshes visible from the festival site, is owned by the National Trust.
Weobley (pronounced web-lee) Castle is one of the few surviving fortified manor houses in Wales. Home of the de la Bere family until the 15th century, the manor house included a fine hall with fireplace, private chambers and several toilets or “garderobes”. A series of owners put their own stamp on the castle until it was returned to the Crown during the reign of Henry VIII. The spectacular view over the North Gower coast is little changed since the Middle Ages!
For more information visit http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/weobleycastle/?lang=en
The Castle itself will be open to visitors but is not an integral part of the Folk Festival and festival goers who visit the Castle do so at their own risk.
