The 12th century Priory was built as an offshoot of the Abbey of St Peter in Gloucester, now Gloucester Cathedral. It was unusual in having a large fortification around it which has baffled historians as to it's purpose. Dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII and was taken over by private owners who built an Elizabethan mansion next to the Priory. A Georgian mansion replaced the Elizabethan one in 1806 and it still in private ownership.

The main Priory church is now in the care of Cadw with the grounds of Ewenny House open to the public on several days a year.