Llancaiach Fawr Manor.
The house was built to defend well if it was under attack, the walls are 1.2 metres thick. Probably the most well known master of the house was a Edward Prichard who had great impact on South Wales as he played an important part in the Civil War between 1642-1646.
Edward died in 1655 leaving no male heir to succeed him. The house then stopped being home to the gentry, and became a tenanted farmhouse for the next 300 years.
The last tenants to live there were the Williams in 1953 they lived there up until 1979, when the house was sold to Rhymney Valley District Council. The house was fully restored and returned to its original state. It is now open to the public.
In a recent poll Llancaiach Fawr was named as one of the Top Ten most haunted buildings in Britain. Strange things have been experienced in almost every room, along corridors and upon stairs. Things seen, heard or felt, or sometimes odours in the air of violets or lavender - and on some occasions, roast beef!
The Skirrid Mountain Inn.
One of the oldest pubs in Wales, where 180 people are believed to have been hanged in the 17th Century, has gone on sale.
The Skirrid Mountain Inn in Llanfihangel Crucorney, five miles from Abergavenny, has been linked to Hanging Judge Jeffreys, who carried out mass executions in 1685 following the Monmouth Rebellion.
A beam at the 900-year-old pub still bears the scorch marks of the ropes used in the killings.
The inn, which has been serving ale to customers since 1110, is on the market for £65,000.
Landlady Heather Grant, 44, has lived at the tavern for the last 11 years.
"There has been lots of spooky goings-on since I've been here," she said.
"I live on my own and when I first moved in I have to confess that I was pretty unnerved by things happening.
"We have got one lady ghost who died of consumption at 32, but there is no bad feelings around her.
Shadows
"But we have another, a man, who comes up the stairs, and there isn't a nice feeling when he is about.
"Despite everything that happens here, you do get used to it and I don't mind them anymore," said Ms Grant.
The pub still has the dark oak staircase, where the hangings are said to have taken place.
"I often see a shadow walking up the stairs and along the corridor," said Ms Grant.
"The regulars of the pub see things happening too and once, when my father stayed, he was woken by a dark figure standing at the bottom of the bed.
"He won't stay here on his own now," she said.
Ms Grant, who plans to travel once she sells up said that she gets on well with most of the ghosts sharing her home.
"I am a bit worried that they don't want me to go," she said.
"I had a buyer and it was all about to go through, but then the haunting got really bad.
"There were glasses flying about and all sorts, I think the ghosts want me to stay," she said.
Nicholas Calfe, from estate agents Christie and Co, said potential buyers had come forward.
"There has been tremendous interest because it is so unique," he said.
"The ghosts might put some squeamish people off the property, but I think for most potential buyers it will be intriguing," he added.
Miskin Manor Hotel.
Newton House.
Roch Castle.
During the Civil War the castle was garrisoned by the Royalists, and saw much action in 1644 when it was captured by the Parliamentarians, re-taken by the Royalists, before falling once more to Cromwell’s forces. Lucy Walters, who was born at Roch Castle in 1630, demonstrated her Royalist sympathies by becoming the mistress of Charles 11. She bore him a son, James, whom Charles made Duke of Monmouth and who would grow up to become the ill-fated leader of the 1685 Monmouth rebellion and end his days on the headsman’s block. Perhaps it is the fate of her son that brings Lucy Walters back to Roch Castle where, garbed in a white dress, passes effortlessly through locked doors.
Maes-y-Neuadd.
Maes-y-Neuadd is a sturdy manor of solid Welsh granite and slate, that dates back to the 14th century, although the 16th, 18th and 20th centuries have all left their mark on its ancient fabric. Its name literally means ‘mansion in the meadow’ and the house certainly occupies a tranquil location, perched on a wooded hillside, high above the waters of Tremadog Bay and affording stunning views across the Snowdonia National Park. It now operates as a lovely country house hotel and boasts one haunted bedroom, the Morfa suite, in which guests can look forwarded to the enchanting possibility of being lulled into their slumbers by a female phantom of goodly intentions. She is thought to be the ghost of a former children’s nursemaid, and her attire of long gown and mobcap, certainly suggests that she was of the serving rather than the owning classes. Nobody who has seen her has found her to be in the least bit frightening or troublesome, indeed witnesses say that she has a very calming presence and emits an aura that helps them drift into a deep and restful sleep.
Castell Coch.
Not very much is known of the history of the earlier original constructions on the site. The first probably started out as an earth and timber motte castle constructed possibly early in the 12th century. The next construction was probably built by Gilbert de Clare (who erected a series of large fortresses including Castell Coch and Caerphilly Castle nearby) and this is believed to have been triangular in shape with gently curving curtain walls connecting three towers. Sometime in the 15th century however Castell Coch was extensively damaged in a fire and the castle was left to go to ruin until the aforementioned complete renovation by the Marquis of Bute.
One of the ghosts of Castell Coch is said to be a ghostly 'White Lady' who is said to haunt the castle because her young son fell into a bottomless pool of water somewhere within the area of the castle and disappeared forever. Apparently his desolate mother never recovered from the tragedy and died of heartbreak. Her ghost is often seen walking around the castle apparently still desperately searching for her lost son.
Another story concerns the ghost of a Cavalier which several people have claimed to have seen. Legend has it that the Cavalier possibly hid treasure somewhere in the castle during the civil war and that his ghost returns to Castell Coch to make sure it remains safely hidden!
Aberglasney House.
Idris Davies of Swansea writes about the ghosts stories of Aberglasney House. With his father a gardener on the estate Idris spent much of his childhood there:
Dylan Thomas's Boathouse.
Dylan Thomas Boat house is now quite a populat tourist attraction. I have been there many times wih my father, as my Father was born in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire and I also went uni in Carmarthenshire.
The boathouse itself is a rather small bluey white painted type workshed very close to the edge of a cliff.
Dylan died in November 1953 while on a lecture tour of America, his body being brought back to Laugharne and buried beneath a simple white cross in the nearby cemetery.
With his widow Caitlin unwilling to live in the boathouse his mother, Florence, became the tenant, staying until she died here in 1958.
It is her ghost that is believed to haunt the house which is now a shrine to the memory Dylon. Staff often hear the sound of a chair scraping over the floor upstairs, as though someone has quickly risen from a table to avoid them. On entering the boathouse they will find that lights that were definitely switched off the previous evening have mysteriously been turned on over night, while books have been knocked off the shelves and, on occasions, pictures have been lifted off the walls and placed on the opposite side of the upstairs room
Devil's Bridge.
There are three bridges over this part of the Mynach Gorge, each one built successively over the others, as they needed to be improved for traffic. The lowest of the bridges dating from the 11th century is the original one and is associated with a Devil legend that is common in Britain with minor variations from place to place.
A woman and a cow got stuck on one side of the gorge unable to cross over. The Devil appeared and said that he would build a bridge over the gorge in exchange for the soul of the first living creature to cross it. The Devil finished the bridge and waited in anticipation for the first thing to cross it. The woman cunningly threw a piece of bread across the bridge and her dog ran after it, meaning the Devil had to be satisfied with the soul of a dog.
I would speculate that this legend derives from a foundation sacrifice on the old bridge; it has not yet been proved but sacrifices were carried out as a part of ancient building procedure. Other sacrifices included those at churchyards, where a dog was sacrificed as the first burial so that its spirit would guard the churchyard. This may have led to the legend of the churchyard black dog. It is interesting to note that some bridges with this legend are also said to be haunted by a black dog.
Devils Bridge is an amazing place to visit as the bridge crosses a deep narrow gorge with a very fast flowing river. Paths are laid out with with some steps that enable you to get unique views of site.
Castell Y Bere.
Powis Castle.
The Robber's Grave.
Edward died in 1655 leaving no male heir to succeed him. The house then stopped being home to the gentry, and became a tenanted farmhouse for the next 300 years.
The last tenants to live there were the Williams in 1953 they lived there up until 1979, when the house was sold to Rhymney Valley District Council. The house was fully restored and returned to its original state. It is now open to the public.
In a recent poll Llancaiach Fawr was named as one of the Top Ten most haunted buildings in Britain. Strange things have been experienced in almost every room, along corridors and upon stairs. Things seen, heard or felt, or sometimes odours in the air of violets or lavender - and on some occasions, roast beef!
The Skirrid Mountain Inn.
The Skirrid Mountain Inn in Llanfihangel Crucorney, five miles from Abergavenny, has been linked to Hanging Judge Jeffreys, who carried out mass executions in 1685 following the Monmouth Rebellion.
There has been lots of spooky goings-on since I've been here
 |
Heather Grant, landlady
|
A beam at the 900-year-old pub still bears the scorch marks of the ropes used in the killings.
The inn, which has been serving ale to customers since 1110, is on the market for £65,000.
Landlady Heather Grant, 44, has lived at the tavern for the last 11 years.
"There has been lots of spooky goings-on since I've been here," she said.
"I live on my own and when I first moved in I have to confess that I was pretty unnerved by things happening.
"We have got one lady ghost who died of consumption at 32, but there is no bad feelings around her.
Shadows
"But we have another, a man, who comes up the stairs, and there isn't a nice feeling when he is about.
"Despite everything that happens here, you do get used to it and I don't mind them anymore," said Ms Grant.
The pub still has the dark oak staircase, where the hangings are said to have taken place.
"I often see a shadow walking up the stairs and along the corridor," said Ms Grant.
"The regulars of the pub see things happening too and once, when my father stayed, he was woken by a dark figure standing at the bottom of the bed.
"He won't stay here on his own now," she said.
The 900-year-old pub is for sale at £65,000
|
Ms Grant, who plans to travel once she sells up said that she gets on well with most of the ghosts sharing her home.
"I am a bit worried that they don't want me to go," she said.
"I had a buyer and it was all about to go through, but then the haunting got really bad.
"There were glasses flying about and all sorts, I think the ghosts want me to stay," she said.
Nicholas Calfe, from estate agents Christie and Co, said potential buyers had come forward.
"There has been tremendous interest because it is so unique," he said.
"The ghosts might put some squeamish people off the property, but I think for most potential buyers it will be intriguing," he added.
Miskin Manor Hotel.
Only the external walls remain of the original home, the inside being completely destroyed by fire, not once, but twice. If you go to the hotel, be sure to spend some time in the bar as a female ghost appears on a regular basis between the hours of midnight and 1am. She just arrives, floats from one end of the bar to the other and then slowly disappears.
In 2004 psychic medium Norie Miles came wth a team of researchers to investigate the home for paranormal activity. Although they felt a presence during their investigation, they saw nothing. While discussing the lack of activity to Ben Rosenberg in the corridor a heavy picture lifted off the wall by itself and was thrown to the floor right in front of them.
Newton House.
Newton House was built in 1660, although there was a house on the site previous to this.
The present front was added in around 1856-1858.
The house was built for Sir Edward Rice and his family.
A list of lineage is compiled at the bottom of the page.
The 7 th Baron Dynevor died in 1956. The title was then passed to his son, Charles Arthur Uryan Rhys making him 8 th Baron Dynevor. He died however, in 1962. With the deaths of father and son in quick succession, the death duties resulted with the estate plunging into crisis. To pay the duties, large parts of the land were sold as was the Estates office building, being sold in 1966 as a private residence.
The present Baron Dynevor sold the property in 1974, where there were numerous owners before the house became stripped of its original features and was left derelict, becoming home to squatters for some years.
The house is now owned by Cadw and the National Trust, who acquired the property in 1990. They have restored much of the house, yet is reported only two persons at a time are permitted to the top floor due to the structure having been weakened by the removal of beams and joists which were allegedly used for firewood.
Roch Castle.
Maes-y-Neuadd.
Maes-y-Neuadd is a sturdy manor of solid Welsh granite and slate, that dates back to the 14th century, although the 16th, 18th and 20th centuries have all left their mark on its ancient fabric. Its name literally means ‘mansion in the meadow’ and the house certainly occupies a tranquil location, perched on a wooded hillside, high above the waters of Tremadog Bay and affording stunning views across the Snowdonia National Park. It now operates as a lovely country house hotel and boasts one haunted bedroom, the Morfa suite, in which guests can look forwarded to the enchanting possibility of being lulled into their slumbers by a female phantom of goodly intentions. She is thought to be the ghost of a former children’s nursemaid, and her attire of long gown and mobcap, certainly suggests that she was of the serving rather than the owning classes. Nobody who has seen her has found her to be in the least bit frightening or troublesome, indeed witnesses say that she has a very calming presence and emits an aura that helps them drift into a deep and restful sleep.
Castell Coch.
One of the ghosts of Castell Coch is said to be a ghostly 'White Lady' who is said to haunt the castle because her young son fell into a bottomless pool of water somewhere within the area of the castle and disappeared forever. Apparently his desolate mother never recovered from the tragedy and died of heartbreak. Her ghost is often seen walking around the castle apparently still desperately searching for her lost son.
Another story concerns the ghost of a Cavalier which several people have claimed to have seen. Legend has it that the Cavalier possibly hid treasure somewhere in the castle during the civil war and that his ghost returns to Castell Coch to make sure it remains safely hidden!
Aberglasney House.
The Ghosts of Aberglasney
Idris Davies of Swansea writes about the ghosts stories of Aberglasney House. With his father a gardener on the estate Idris spent much of his childhood there:
"The old mansion hidden in the trees was said to be haunted. Amongst the eerie claims were stories of lighted candles being seen in a mode of unexplained suspended animation along the mansion's top corridors. Furthermore, many people had claimed that they had been overwhelmed with a spine chilling experience when entering the Blue Room, on the first floor of the eastern wing of the big house. Earlier in it's history, Aberglasney's Blue Room was a place where a great tragedy had occurred. It had been claimed that six maid servants had been found dead in their beds. The reason given for their deaths was asphyxiation and this could be attributed to the fumes emitting from the lime plaster mortar that had been used during a major reconstruction of the mansion at that particular time in 1630. Other reasons for the deaths have been speculated, one being that of arsenic poisoning from the wallpaper in the room, and another suggesting a blocked chimney, causing death by carbon monoxide inhalation.
Another ghostly incident concerning Aberglasney occurred in the thirties when the house was unoccupied. At the time ladders were used to reach the growth of ivy which had encroached on to the first floor windows of 'The Blue Room'. With my father holding the ladder at ground level, his assistant Albert Hallett climbed the ladder and attempted to remove the wall clinging growths around the windowsills. To his surprise Llewellyn Davies found that 'Bert' was sliding down the ladder in a state of fright, as he claimed he had seen Victorian dressed ladies peering out at him from inside the 'Blue Room'.
In November 1939, I experienced a strange vibratory sound inside the gardener's cottage. There was no rational explanation to this, and again the unexplained unnerving noise was regarded as one of the many mysteries associated with Aberglasney.
At this time I would be called upon by Mrs Williams to help close the upstairs sash windows of the mansion. This was a customary practice as it enabled the fully furnished mansion to be aired. As a seven year old boy, this was no mean task as it involved climbing the creaking stairways to the second floor. In her persuasive voice Mrs Williams would add; 'Hurry along, your legs are younger than mine', full knowing that I was nervous of going along the upper corridor, where others had claimed to have seen lighted candles sailing through the air. In the twilight gloom I would call upon my dog chum to accompany me, but this he would always desist, and with raised hackles, he would stand snarling at the landing near the stained glass window and would not budge from the place where he stood."
Idris Davies
Another ghostly incident concerning Aberglasney occurred in the thirties when the house was unoccupied. At the time ladders were used to reach the growth of ivy which had encroached on to the first floor windows of 'The Blue Room'. With my father holding the ladder at ground level, his assistant Albert Hallett climbed the ladder and attempted to remove the wall clinging growths around the windowsills. To his surprise Llewellyn Davies found that 'Bert' was sliding down the ladder in a state of fright, as he claimed he had seen Victorian dressed ladies peering out at him from inside the 'Blue Room'.
In November 1939, I experienced a strange vibratory sound inside the gardener's cottage. There was no rational explanation to this, and again the unexplained unnerving noise was regarded as one of the many mysteries associated with Aberglasney.
At this time I would be called upon by Mrs Williams to help close the upstairs sash windows of the mansion. This was a customary practice as it enabled the fully furnished mansion to be aired. As a seven year old boy, this was no mean task as it involved climbing the creaking stairways to the second floor. In her persuasive voice Mrs Williams would add; 'Hurry along, your legs are younger than mine', full knowing that I was nervous of going along the upper corridor, where others had claimed to have seen lighted candles sailing through the air. In the twilight gloom I would call upon my dog chum to accompany me, but this he would always desist, and with raised hackles, he would stand snarling at the landing near the stained glass window and would not budge from the place where he stood."
Idris Davies
Dylan Thomas's Boathouse.
The boathouse itself is a rather small bluey white painted type workshed very close to the edge of a cliff.
Dylan died in November 1953 while on a lecture tour of America, his body being brought back to Laugharne and buried beneath a simple white cross in the nearby cemetery.
With his widow Caitlin unwilling to live in the boathouse his mother, Florence, became the tenant, staying until she died here in 1958.
It is her ghost that is believed to haunt the house which is now a shrine to the memory Dylon. Staff often hear the sound of a chair scraping over the floor upstairs, as though someone has quickly risen from a table to avoid them. On entering the boathouse they will find that lights that were definitely switched off the previous evening have mysteriously been turned on over night, while books have been knocked off the shelves and, on occasions, pictures have been lifted off the walls and placed on the opposite side of the upstairs room
Devil's Bridge.
A woman and a cow got stuck on one side of the gorge unable to cross over. The Devil appeared and said that he would build a bridge over the gorge in exchange for the soul of the first living creature to cross it. The Devil finished the bridge and waited in anticipation for the first thing to cross it. The woman cunningly threw a piece of bread across the bridge and her dog ran after it, meaning the Devil had to be satisfied with the soul of a dog.I would speculate that this legend derives from a foundation sacrifice on the old bridge; it has not yet been proved but sacrifices were carried out as a part of ancient building procedure. Other sacrifices included those at churchyards, where a dog was sacrificed as the first burial so that its spirit would guard the churchyard. This may have led to the legend of the churchyard black dog. It is interesting to note that some bridges with this legend are also said to be haunted by a black dog.
Devils Bridge is an amazing place to visit as the bridge crosses a deep narrow gorge with a very fast flowing river. Paths are laid out with with some steps that enable you to get unique views of site.
Castell Y Bere.
Its stunning location surrounded by moody grey mountains on a lonely road, a rocky path twists alongside a precarious pathway that brings you to the rocky spur on which the rugged ruins of the castle stand dappled in strange twisting.
The castle was begin in 1221 and over the years ownership switched between the welsh 
princes and the English adversaries before apparently being abandoned in around 1294. Some nights as the sun sets over the surrounding hills people have spoken of a solitary figure that stands motionless on the ruined ramparts of this once mighty fortress. As though watching and waiting for some long forgotten reason until the last rays of daylight sink behind the mountains he slowly melts away as the night descends across this lonely countryside. A high place of sheer rock dappled in shadow a grey spur top fortress dappled in shadow. As twilight creeps over the surrounding rugged mountains a lone figure had been seen silhouetted by the sinking sun gazing nonchalantly across the area, an ethereal guardian keeping a ghostly watch until as the last rays of the day sink beyond the mountain he melts slowly away.
princes and the English adversaries before apparently being abandoned in around 1294. Some nights as the sun sets over the surrounding hills people have spoken of a solitary figure that stands motionless on the ruined ramparts of this once mighty fortress. As though watching and waiting for some long forgotten reason until the last rays of daylight sink behind the mountains he slowly melts away as the night descends across this lonely countryside. A high place of sheer rock dappled in shadow a grey spur top fortress dappled in shadow. As twilight creeps over the surrounding rugged mountains a lone figure had been seen silhouetted by the sinking sun gazing nonchalantly across the area, an ethereal guardian keeping a ghostly watch until as the last rays of the day sink beyond the mountain he melts slowly away.Powis Castle.
In 1780 an elderly spinster arrived at the soaring red sandstone walls of Powis Castle, where she hoped to earn a little money spinning hemp and flax for the household. 
The Earl and his family were away in London, but the steward and small detachment of servants seemed more than happy to give the old lady employment, and even offered her a free nights accommodation. What the poor woman didn’t realise was that they intended to enjoy a little spooky sport at her expense, by putting her in a bedroom that was known to be haunted. As the door closed behind them, she was a little perturbed to hear it being locked from the outside. But any fears she may have had, were soon dispelled by the sheer opulence of the room and, reasoning that they probably hadn’t wanted a stranger wandering the castle at night, the woman sat by the fire, and began reading her bible.
The Earl and his family were away in London, but the steward and small detachment of servants seemed more than happy to give the old lady employment, and even offered her a free nights accommodation. What the poor woman didn’t realise was that they intended to enjoy a little spooky sport at her expense, by putting her in a bedroom that was known to be haunted. As the door closed behind them, she was a little perturbed to hear it being locked from the outside. But any fears she may have had, were soon dispelled by the sheer opulence of the room and, reasoning that they probably hadn’t wanted a stranger wandering the castle at night, the woman sat by the fire, and began reading her bible.
Moments later she heard the door open and, turning round, saw a man in a gold-laced suit enter the room and cross to the window, where he proceeded to gaze out into the night. A little time later he turned and, without uttering a word, left the room. Something about her mysterious visitor convinced the woman that he was not of this world and, kneeling down, she begged God to protect her. Suddenly, the door opened again and the stranger drifted silently back into the room. This time, emboldened by her prayers, the spinster confronted the phantom, “who are you and what do you want?” she demanded. The man motioned her to pick up a candle and follow him. He led her to a small room and, stooping down, lifted one of the floorboards to reveal a locked casket underneath. He then showed her a crevice in the wall where its key was concealed. “Both must be taken out and sent to the Earl in London,” he informed her. “Do this and I will trouble the house no more.” With that, he turned and walked from the room.
The old woman, who given the prank that the servants had evidently played on her could be forgiven for wishing them to be as troubled as possible, appears to have been willing to let bygones be bygones. Rousing the servants, she told them what had happened. A quick search soon revealed the hidden key and casket, both of which were despatched to their master in London. Although he never revealed the contents, the Earl was so delighted that he provided for the woman from that day forth she never again wanted for any creature comfort or treat. The ghosts mission was evidently accomplished, for he has never since returned to the castle which, despite possessing a veritable labyrinth of creepy, dark corridors and tapestry hung rooms, is more than content to let board- lifting phantoms remain firmly in its past.
The Robber's Grave.
Montgomery is nominally a town although, in reality, it has more of a village feel to it. Its parish church, dedicated to St Nicholas, boasts some impressive tombs within and a white cross without, on which a simple inscription identifies it as “The Robbers Grave”
It marks the grave of John Davies, “a melancholy, grief-haunted man” whose past was shrouded in mystery but who, in 1819, became the steward on the run- down farm owned by the widow Morris and her daughter Jane. Thanks to his dedication, the fortunes of the business were soon reversed. But the sudden success angered a local man, Thomas Pearce, who had hoped to benefit from the widows misfortune by acquiring the property at a bargain price. Davies’ hard work had thwarted his ambitions and, as the resentment boiled within him, fortune intervened to seal the fate of the steward. His hard work had earned him the respect of young Jane Morris. That respect soon turned to affection and she abandoned her fiancé, Robert Parker, in favour of John Davies. Furious at the slight, Parker turned to Pearce and he two men agreed that it would be in both their interests if they were rid of the troublesome steward.
They duly carried out a violent robbery, leaving behind evidence implicating John Davies who found himself charged with highway robbery. At his subsequent trial he was found guilty and sentenced to death. No sooner had the noose been placed around his neck than a fearful storm erupted. Rolls of thunder shook the town to its foundations. Lightning streaked across the sky, its bright flashes illuminating the rain sodden face of the condemned man who turned to address the terror-stricken crowd whose voice rose above the tempest shouting “If I am innocent, the grass, for one generation at least, will not cover my grave”. As the trap fell he spat a curse upon the two men, whose evil machinations had brought him to his death and called upon them to appear before God to account for their actions.
Parker died soon afterwards, killed in a blasting accident. Pearce fared little better as he “wasted away from the earth”. John Davies was buried in the simple grave where as he had prophesised, no grass grew for many years. Even today bare patches can still be seen upon it and there is a local belief that harm will befall anyone who attempts to tend the Robbers Grave.
