Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Llancaiach Fawr

This Tudor manor house is located in the historic Rhymney valley in the village of Nelson--near Caerphilly-- in South Wales. It was built in the 17^th century for the Prichard family. 

The site was used earlier for a medieval dwelling in the 1500s.

The house was constructed with one thing in mind--that was for defense. This is why it is considered unique today.

Its walls are almost four feet thick, its ground windows were kept small, and access between floors was only through stairs built inside the walls. 

If attacked the manor could be split in two with only the east wing having access to the tower latrine or toilet.

This came in handy for the Prichard family was involved in a generational rivalry between themselves and the Lewis branch of the family that lived in Van.

The Prichard family made improvements to the Manor to display their growing affluence and prosperity to their neighbors. They added a grand staircase, paneling in several rooms and a formal garden.

One master of the manor, Edward Prichard, came into prominence during the Civil War period. He supported the Royalist cause until the second half of 1645. He then like most of the Welsh gentry changed his allegiance to the Parliamentarian side.

The house today has been restored to its 1645 appearance, during the English Civil War. It is a leading “living history” site in the UK.

The Haunted Manor

Llancaiach Fawr has been named one of the top 10 most haunted in Great Britain.

BBC Ghost Cam at Manor in 2006

Practically every room in this manor house has a ghost story connected to it. Visitors and staff have reported hearing footsteps and a wide variety of other unusual sounds--including tapping behind the paneled walls.

Unexpected aromas are often smelled, they include the aroma of violets and lavender. More unusual the smell of cooking roast beef is often noted.

Many people have reported strange physical and emotional reactions while in the manor. Feeling ill and faint just to name two.

One ghost often felt or heard is Mattie who was believed to be a housekeeper in the Manor in the 19^th century. The rustling or her petticoats is heard in one bedchamber where it is thought she tragically died.

Many visitors have reported becoming lightheaded or developing a headache while in this room.

Paranormal investigators have picked up a strange swirling cold spot in one corner of this room, which is not felt in any other place in the house.

One investigator upon leaving this room saw a dark figure standing in the opposite doorway that led to the Manor’s birthing room. He stated this figure cocked its head as if it was looking at him intently.

The team became excited when they noted a night vision camera was pointed at this doorway. Later, when they checked this camera, they saw a figure rushing from right to left in front of this doorway.

South Wales Paranormal Research (SWPR) runs the Ghost Watches at Llancaiach Fawr. They have this recording on their site here and here. They also have many EVP’s they have picked up over the years.

One sad ghost is that of a little boy. He is believed to have fallen to his death in the manor from an upper room. He is known to tug at people’s sleeves or pull their hair.

Many have reported feeling him take their hands and tug on them.

One team that investigated a room that holds several old toys believed to belong to this child tried to elicit a response from him.

A female investigators picked up one toy--a cup with a ball attached to a string--as she tried to get the ball in the cup she repeatedly failed. But then she felt a hand on her wrist at which point every time she tried, the ball went right in.

Was this just luck or was the boy assisting her?

This picture was not on the SWPR site.
It supposedly shows ghost boy
at Llancaiach Fawr. Click to enlarge.

Mothers that visit the manor’s kitchen, often report feeling light-headed or dizzy while in this room.

Staff ask women who report these feelings if they might be pregnant. The reason for this is they know pregnant women have a similar reaction while in the kitchen.

Most of these mothers feel fine after leaving this room.

The Pentangle Stone, a carved stone found hidden in one of the manor’s walls, presents a mystery.

Some believe it was used to ward off evil spirits, others feel it might have been placed in the wall to curse Llancaiach Fawr.

Regardless, people have a strange emotional reaction to it.

Colonel Edward Prichard is also believed to haunt this house. His ghost is seen in deep contemplation. Some feel this image of him is when he was struggling with his change of allegiance during the Civil War.

Yet another dark ghostly figure is seen outside the manor’s walls. No one is sure of the origin of this apparition, but some speculate he committed suicide or was the victim of a grisly murder.

Lanchaiach Fawr has a ghost cam that films only one room in this manor. The reason for this is most cameras malfunction or stop working in the house.

It can be watched here--it does not play all the time and not on Wednesdays because this is when SWPR conducts their ghost tours.