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.

Pluckley’s Legends

Haunted St. Nicolas Church
Photo: Stephen Nunnery

Pluckley is a picturesque English village located in Kent. For years, stories have circulated about the ghosts that reside in and around this village. 

With time, these ghost stories have taken on a life of their own and the village today is literally seeped in stories about ghosts. As a result in1989 the Guinness Book of World Records listed Pluckley as the “Most haunted Village in England.”

Most of the ghost stories told in Pluckley today are legends. Many children in the area grew up hearing these legends--which have taken on folklore status. On the other hand, a few stories told are based in real sightings.

Frederick Sanders in 1955 wrote a book entitled Pluckley Was My Playground. His book told the ghostly tale of an 18^th century highwayman and a colorful local gypsy lady. 

A one-time resident of the village, Desmond Carrington admitted to stirring the pot further when he “concocted a whole string of stories” that were featured in a television article written by journalist Bill Evans in the 1950s.

Frith Corner, now known fittingly as “Fright Corner”, is where Sanders’ highwayman ghost is seen. It is said this unfortunate highwayman was ambushed. Some say by the law others say by other criminals. In the ensuing fight this highwayman was killed by a sword thrust through him. This sword not only went through him, it then lodged in a hollow tree behind where he stood--pinning him. This tree no longer stands.

At this spot this ghost can be seen re-enacting the fight that took his life.

Haunted Pluckley Wood

Sanders’ female gypsy apparition also known as “Watercress Woman” is seen at the crossroads bridge. She smokes a pipe and stands or sits on the bridge selling watercress from the nearby stream. Her figure is described as "misty" in appearance. 

She has haunted this area since she “burned to death.” Sparks from her pipe lit alcohol she was drinking --which caught her on fire. This bridge is often shrouded in nature's mists.

Another Pluckley ghost story has multiple witness accounts to back it up--one sighting happened recently. A phantom horse drawn coach is seen throughout the village. A couple driving home at midnight from babysitting their grandchildren spotted this coach being pulled by horses. Lights illuminated the coaches’ windows.

Another local resident driving a back road to return home saw this coach pass right in front of his car. A visitor to the village in November of 1977 heard wheels and horse hooves striking against cobblestones right outside his car window--the road he drove was a modern paved street--at one time it was cobbled.

Haunted Black Horse Inn

Think of any historical ghost stereotype and Pluckley has one. Besides the stories above the village has a ghostly schoolmaster and Colonel both said to have committed suicide. Pluckley also has two white ladies, a red lady, a miller who is seen as a black shadow and a ghostly monk. 

The village also has a haunted church and grounds, a haunted house, a haunted inn, a haunted hunting lodge, a haunted forest known as the “Screaming Woods” and a haunted bush known as the "Devil’s Bush."

Both thrill-seekers and serious ghost hunters visit this village. 

The following short Strange But True? clip highlights several recent witness accounts about Pluckley’s ghosts--including the phantom coach.