Cardiff - Rompney Castle
Wentloog Road : CF3 3EB
Cardiff - Rompney Castle : Map credit National Library of Scotland Cardiff - Rompney Castle : Image credit John Lord The old Pear Tree Inn was bought in 1878 for £960 by an American HH Davies, who added a mock Tudor facade and renamed it Rompney Castle. Connected to the inn was a hall and a field that was laid out as a running ground.

The Romney Castle Fete and Gala was due to be held from 24th September 1879, the sports advertised included a bicycle race over one mile for all comers, first prize was £1, second five shillings, entrance cost one shilling. The other sports were two running races, a donkey race, sack race, pony race and climbing the greasy pole. In the event, bad weather caused the fete and sports to be abandoned. The meeting was re-arranged for the following week.

A grand fete and gala was advertised over Whitsun 1880, which included two 5 miles handicap races. The meeting provided entertainment with comic songs, singers, dancers comedians and sketches, which resulted in large attendances. In the 5 miles bicycle race on 19th May 1880, GT Edmund, the champion of Wales, won off scratch. There were five sports meetings arranged in 1880, all featuring a five miles handicap bicycle race, but the racing was probably very low key and the number of competitors was often as few as three.

The Western Mail of 21st March 1881 carried an advertisement seeking to let the grounds from 1st April to 29th September 1881. Further sports were held at Whitsun 1881 which included a three miles handicap bicycle race on Whit Tuesday. This was probably the last bicycle race to be held at Rompney Castle.

Davies died in 1890 after falling from his horse and the building was in use as a public house until it was sold in 2021, it is now the centre of a planning battle.


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Photos : John Lord
Maps    : National Library of Scotland