Pubs/Bars in Penmark:
 Six Bells Inn
       Penmark
       Vale of Glamorgan
       CF62 3BP
 01446 710229

 B&B's/Guesthouses in Penmark:
 The Old Barn B&B
 The Croft
       Penmark
       Vale of Glamorgan
       CF62 3BP 
 01446 711352
 01446 711352
 [email protected]
 http://www.theoldbarnbedandbreakfast.co.uk

Penmark (Pen-Mark) - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
PENMARK (PEN-MARK), a parish, in the union of Cardiff, hundred of Dinas-Powys, county of Glamorgan, South Wales, 6 miles (S. E.) from Cowbridge; containing 486 inhabitants. The name, signifying literally "Mark's head," is supposed to have been originally derived from the preservation of a human skull in the churchyard, which, according to some monkish legend, was said to be that of St. Mark, and which was consequently regarded for many years with religious veneration. The place was distinguished at an early period by the erection of two castles, called respectively Penmark and Fonmon, both belonging to followers of Fitzhamon, and built for the protection of a portion of the territories which, upon the conquest of this part of the principality, that noble divided among the knights who attended him in his expedition. Penmark Castle, which was the property of Gilbert Humphreville, continued a place of strength till the reign of Henry IV.; it was then destroyed by Owain Glyndwr, in one of his incursions into the borders, and is now in ruins. Fonmon Castle originally belonged to Sir John St. John de Blesto, and continued in his family till the reign of Charles I., when, during the interregnum, it was given by the parliamentarian party to Colonel John Jones, an active and zealous supporter of their interests, whose descendant is the present proprietor; the ancient building has undergone various repairs and alterations, and now forms a venerable castellated mansion.

The parish is situated in the south-eastern part of the county, and on the Bristol Channel, which bounds it on the south; it is surrounded on the other sides by Llancarvan, Porthkerry, and St. Athan's. The village occupies the summit of an eminence overlooking a romantic dell, and the parish comprises a considerable tract of land, which has been inclosed from an early period, and is in a good state of cultivation. Its surface is generally flat, but intersected by small wooded valleys, in which elm and ash are the prevailing timber. Strong loam and clay, resting on a lias limestone, which is used for all building purposes, are the principal ingredients of the soil, producing wheat and barley, with a large proportion of turnips; and numerous sheep are reared and fed on the pasturage. The rivers Thaw and Kenson, the latter falling into the former, bound the parish for a part of their extent, and on them are two water-mills. The scenery is diversified and highly picturesque; and the views over the adjacent country, which is extremely fertile and richly cultivated, are extensive, and embrace many interesting objects, the castellated mansion of Fonmon Castle being most conspicuous. A fair is held annually on the 15th of April.

The living is a vicarage, rated in the king's books at £8. 13. 4.; patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The tithes have been commuted for £558. 0. 3., of which a sum of £347. 5. belongs to the Dean and Chapter, with a glebe of thirteen acres, valued at £16 per annum, and £210. 15. 3. to the vicar, who has a glebe of 100a. 2r. 26p., valued at £135. 10., and a house. The church, dedicated to St. Mark, is a substantial and well-built edifice, but not distinguished by any architectural details of importance: it is sixty feet long by twenty-three wide, exclusively of the chancel, which is thirty-three by seventeen; and contains 60 pew-sittings, and 152 free seats. The chapels of East Aberthaw and Rhôs, anciently dependent on the mother church, have long since fallen into decay. There are places of worship for Independents and Calvinistic Methodists. Two day schools are supported in connexion with the Established Church; as also is a Sunday school, held in one of the two day-schoolrooms. Several charitable donations and bequests, consisting of two houses; two acres of land at Sufton, yielding a rent of £7 per annum, the gift of William Jones, of Blacton, in 1713; and about £60 in money, principally by unknown donors; have been made for the benefit of the poor, the produce of which is on Good Friday distributed among them.