Penmark (Pen-Marc in Welsh) is a village situated approximately four miles west of Barry. It has been a conservation area since 1973 in recognition of the village's ‘special architectural and historic interest.’

Penmark’s name (meaning Mark’s Head in Welsh) ‘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 was consequently regarded for many years with religious veneration.’

The current layout of Penmark is ‘based upon [its] historic linear development with the listed medieval Church at its core.’ Notable buildings in the village include ‘the remains of the Norman Penmark Castle’, the church, a ‘K6 type telephone call box’, the nineteenth century Old Vicarage, Holly Cottage, ‘The Cottage’ which dates from the seventeenth century, ‘Penmark Place’, and ‘Six Bells Inn.’ Many of these buildings were built of local lias limestone with slate roofs. At Crof John there are some ‘rural district council housing.’

The first edition of the 25-inch Ordnance Survey maps, published in 1879, shows that Penmark had amenities including the church, a Calvinist Methodist chapel, a police station, a post office, a school for girls and boys and two public houses – the Red Cow Inn and Six Bells.

In the twenty-first century, the school is in use as a village hall, and the church and Six Bells public house remain open.

Sources: modern and historic Ordnance Survey maps; Google Maps; 'Conservation Area - Penmark: Appraisal and Managment Plan' (The Vale of Glamorgan Council, 2009); Penmark Village website

M. Ryder, RCAHMW, 15 September 2023