Visit Oxwich Castle and Get Your Cadw Explorer Pass to Visit 20 Historic Monuments in Wales

Your key to unlock Wales' greatest castles, in one ticket!

The Castles of Wales Explorer Pass offers the freedom to explore all of Cadw's historic attractions and help you get the most out of your visit to Wales. 

• Entry to 20 Welsh castles and attractions (see additional info for full list)
• Visit as many castle as you want
• Choice of either the 3 day pass or 7 day pass (the 3 day pass gives you 3 days of entrance and is valid for a 7 day period. The 7 day pass gives you 7 days of entrance, valid for 14 days)
• Save lots of money!

Book your Castle of Wales Explorer Pass by tapping 'Book' on this page. Once booked, your pass will be sent to you by email. Show this pass upon entry to all attractions either on your device or print if you prefer.

A castle in name alone... 

Enter through the castle gates and be wowed by the impressive remains of what once stood here, grand and tall.

Located on the Gower Peninsula, the Mansel family built Oxwich Castle in the 16th century. But did you know, it’s not really a castle?

It's actually a fortified manor house, built to climb the social ladder rather than being used for any form of defence. The family were very powerful, influential and one of the gentry families in South Wales.

The two parts are designed very differently. Sir Rice Mansel built the humble south range, which is designed to look like a farmhouse, whereas his son, Edward, built the extravagant part, which was designed to look like a typical castle.

The section built by Edward now lies in ruins but would have once been an extremely grand house, with stunning views overlooking Oxwich Bay.

While you’re here, imagine how it once looked - and imagine going to all that effort just to appear wealthier and affluent! It's certainly impressive and has a wealth of history behind it.

You're still able to enter the area built by Sir Rice Mansel and here you'll find a gift shop, full of local produce, books on the area, and little keepsakes.

If you’re fancying a delicious ice cream, why not grab a tub and enjoy it on the grass under the sun while taking in the beautiful views?

Get involved at the events

Children (and grown-ups) can have fun re-enacting the movements of the Mansel family.

Head upstairs to the four-poster bed and imagine how life would have been when the family lived here. A fireplace in each bedroom, perfect to warm them up on a cold winter's night.

Children can try on the clothes that families would have worn and even practice their hand at writing with quill ink - a great way for them to get the full experience.

The castle also hosts plenty of events. Maybe your little ones would love to watch a Punch and Judy show?

They also offer falconry displays so you can see the birds in flight and learn all about the history of hawking.

All this exploring made you hungry?

How does melt in the mouth fish and chips sound to you? Maybe a juicy burger or a yummy pizza sounds tempting? Head to The Ship Inn, only a 12-minute drive from Oxwich Castle.

Sit outside and enjoy the sun, or on a cold day, cosy up at a table in the pub. They also serve a sublime Sunday roast too - the perfect way to end a day of exploring!

What other Cadw attractions can I visit with the Castles of Wales Pass? 

• Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey
• Blaenavon Ironworks, Torfaen
• Caerleon Roman Baths, Newport
• Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd
• Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly
• Carreg Cennen Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Castell Coch, Cardiff
• Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire
• Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire - please note, this attraction is closed for 2024
• Conwy Castle, Conwy
• Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd
• Denbigh Castle, Denbighshire
• Harlech Castle, Gwynedd
• Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Laugharne Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Oxwich Castle, Swansea - please note, this attraction is closed for 2024
• Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House, Conwy
• Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire
• Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire
• Rug Chapel, Denbighshire - please note, this attraction is closed for 2024
• St Davids Bishop's Palace, Pembrokeshire
• Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire
• Tretower Court and Castle, Powys
• Valle Crucis Abbey, Denbighshire - please note, this attraction is closed for 2024
• Weobley Castle, Swansea