The priory was unusual in having extensive military-style defences and in its state of preservation; the architectural historian John Newman described it as “the most complete and impressive Norman ecclesiastical building in Glamorgan”.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, parts of the priory were converted into a private house by Sir Edward Carne, a lawyer and diplomat.

By the late 18th century, the Carne house was in a state of dereliction; John Byng the diarist described it as a “miserable mansion” following a visit in 1787.

[13] The church underwent reconstruction in the early 21st century, including the installation of a glass screen designed by Alexander Beleschenko which divided it from the unused eastern part of the building.

The site was originally fully enclosed but the southern range was destroyed during the construction of Ewenny Priory House in the very early 19th century.

[4] The priory site is generally in a good state of preservation; aside from the building of the house from 1803 to 1805, and a “conservative restoration” undertaken by Thomas Picton Turbervill between 1869 and 1886, it has seen little development.

Michael Salter, in his study Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower, suggests that the extensive defences were primarily for show, citing the absence of any defensive ditch, the weakness of the positioning and the large extent of the complex which would have required a very considerable force to defend.

[4] Newman also considers the walls were built for display, rather than to “afford serious protection”, but is uncertain as to why “such a small and relatively poor community felt it should put on such an expensive show”.

[17] The priory church is a notable, and rare, example of Romanesque architecture with rounded arches, barrel vaulting and geometric decoration.

[25] Buildings designated Grade II* include: Ewenny Priory House;[26] a barn;[27] a medieval fish pond;[28] the wall that encloses the eastern side of the precinct;[29] and the former South East Tower.