Over the years the village has grown into the neighbouring village of Corntown to such an extent that there is no longer a clear boundary between the two. The nearest town of significant size is Bridgend, 2mi (3.2km) away. Corntown is within the community.
The priory is widely regarded as one of the finest fortified religious buildings in Britain. Over the centuries the priory has sustained some damage, but nonetheless it is still inhabited by its current owners, the Turbervill family. The priory is not open to the public but the attached Church is still in use today.
Potteries
Ewenny Pottery and showrooms, the oldest working pottery in Wales
Records show that the pottery industry has existed in the area since 1427. This is probably because the materials required for the production of pottery are readily available in this area, including a local red earthenware, glaze materials, stone to build the kilns and coal to fire the pots in the kilns. There have been fifteen potteries in the Ewenny area at one time or another, all small family concerns.
The village is home to the Ewenny Pottery, founded in 1610 and the oldest working pottery in Wales. The business is run by the descendants of the pottery's original founders, the Jenkins family.
Ewenny is associated with Y Ladi Wen (Welsh for 'the white lady') apparition of Welsh folklore. In 1909, Marie Trevelyan recorded a number of local accounts claiming that a woman in white could be seen around the village. The figure was said to appear either wringing her hands in despair or more commonly, pointing or guiding people to the same, unvarying location.[2]
One popular legend recounts that when Y Ladi Wen appeared to a certain man, he was not scared or frightened, but spoke to her calmly, offering her his assistance. The lady is relieved by the offer and replies that if the man could just hold her tightly in his arms then all of her problems would be solved. The story ends unhappily, as the man began to carry out her wish, he was startled into letting her go when a dog loudly barked upon seeing the two figures. At this Y Ladi Wen unleashed a scream and states "I shall be bound for another seven years!"[3] In another version of the story, the man again offers his help but Y Ladi Wen simply ask him to take her hand. The two then walk a short distance before Y Ladi Wen disappears.[4]
Sightings of another version of Y Ladi Wen are recorded at the nearby Ogmore Castle. However, the Ewenny version is invariably linked with the vicinity of Ewenny Priory, with the figure appearing to people on "White Lady's Lane" and guiding or pointing them to a place on "White Lady's meadow".
Other Points of Interest
The nearby Coed-y-Bwl nature reserve has around a quarter of a million ‘wild’ daffodils. The reserve was established in 1971 and in 1975 received a Prince of Wales trust award. The daffodils were planted in the early 19th century by Mrs Nicholl of Merthyr Mawr.
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