Kenfig originally stood on the edge of marsh land hence its original Welsh name 'Cefn-Y-Ffignon' meaning a ridge on a marsh. The town was developed by the Normans with the intention of making it a trading centre of Mid Glamorgan as it had an outlet to the sea. Well kown local legend is that the moving sands here made life impoosible for the inhabitants and by the end of the 15th century it was a ghost town. The original church was moved stone by stone and now stands in the village of Pyle. All that now remains of Kenfig Castle is the top of it's 50ft keep, which was uncovered in the early 20th century.