Valleys haunts – visit if you dare!

As autumn nights draw in, the ghosts come out, and the veil between this world and the next

dissolves. Time to look up The Valleys’ rich cast of phantoms and witches: only the brave need

apply...

Upstairs, downstairs

Voted one of Britain’s top ten most haunted buildings, Tudor Llancaiach Fawr Manor near Nelson

bustles with spirits of former residents. Will you catch a mysterious waft of lavender, violets or roast

beef, or hear the petticoat rustle of Mattie, the 19th century housekeeper? If you feel a playful tug of

your sleeve, it could be the little boy who fell to his death from an upper room, while a pensive

figure in the distance could be former master of the manor Edward Prichard, still racked by the Civil

War after all this time.

Hear true stories of strange happenings on adult or teenager evening ghost tours at Halloween (29

Oct-1 Nov), or share a shiver at other dates in the Ghost Tour Season (Oct-Mar). At Halloween there

are Witch Trials here too, based on real court records from the 17th century.

Gothic horror and giggling children

Another contender for ‘most haunted’, Tudor Gothic Margam Castle, Port Talbot, is awash with

psychic energy and attracts ghost hunters from around the world. Gamekeeper Robert Scott, said to

have been murdered by a poacher, is among the most restless shades and has often been

encountered on the Gothic staircase. Mischievous Victorian children and a blacksmith also appear,

while at night the castle’s security guards report noises of running steps and chattering voices –

though no one, apparently, is there. Dare to book onto a paranormal investigation?

A splash of the supernatural

Llanyrafon Manor has hugged the banks of the Afon Llwyd at Cwmbran since the mid 1550s, yet this

historic home and the story of its inhabitants remains a secret to many – and there’s plenty to tingle

the spine on evening ghost tours (alternate Fridays, Oct, Nov, Dec). Who is the ethereal child in the

attics, or the tall, dark presence lingering around the outbuildings? And what – or who – is behind

the water that gets splashed about? Manor staff will tell you all about these and other supernatural

shenanigans. (Tours suitable for 16yrs and up.)

Families and children can get in on Halloween action too with spooky crafts through half term, while

on 26 October the manor will be ‘dressed’ and Stuart characters will give you the low-down on

plague cures and hunting witches. There’s a fancy dress competition, so wave a wand and shape

shift into – what?

Rebel spirit

Ancient towers overlooking a river, a rugged memorial to a warrior princess, a swirl of autumn or

winter mist: we’re good to go for some ‘horrible history’ at Kidwelly Castle, visited in 2006 by TV’s

Most Haunted team.

Never mind an hour, here clocks turn right back to 1136 to explain eerie goings-on. That’s when

Princess Gwenllian led an army against the lord of the castle, trying to save Deheubarth – south-west

Wales – from the Norman invaders. But Gwenllian’s rebel forces proved no match for the men of

Maurice de Londres and the defeated princess was cruelly beheaded. Her headless spirit stalked the

castle and battlefield until her skull and body were reunited to be buried together; some say she still

roams...

A little phantom fun

Bring the kids for a ghoulish adventure at Cyfarthfa Museum & Art Gallery, Merthyr Tydfil – free

Halloween activities (30-31 Oct) at the castellated mansion provide lots of curious and creative fun.

Just pick up a list of creatures from reception to get on the Halloween Hunt for famous and scary

monsters or ghosts hidden throughout the museum (suits ages 2yrs and up). Also make your own

Haunting Halloween Decorations – owl, bat or black cat – at the drop-in family workshop (suits ages

4yrs and up).

Lady in green

Look out for the Green Lady at Caerphilly Castle, the gigantic fortress built by Gilbert ‘the Red’ de

Clare, a kinsman of William the Conqueror. It seems Gilbert’s bloodthirsty ways left his lovely wife

Princess Alice rather cold and she was soon wooed by an amorous, glamorous Welsh prince:

Gruffudd the Fair of Brithdir. Gilbert, outraged by the affair, had Gruffudd killed and lovelorn Alice

died of a broken heart. On moonlit nights you might just glimpse her pining figure – dressed in

green, the colour of Gilbert’s envy – roving the castle’s ramparts above the moat, staring longingly to

the hamlet of Brithdir.

More weird and wonderful happenings:

Catch the Ghost Train on the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway to the haunted Whistle Inn. Dress up

or just come along, sample witches’ concoctions and expect fun and games on the train (30-31 Oct).

Prepare for the scare as the Halloween Spooktacular takes over at Greenmeadow Community Farm,

Cwmbran. Always a night to remember... (31 Oct).

Boost spirits on a fab autumn or winter walk through legendary Waterfall Country, for example the

half-mile MP3 audio Sychryd Trail (near Pontneddfechan) – do King Arthur’s warriors really sleep in

a treasure chamber beneath mighty Dinas Rock?

Also enjoy an atmospheric step at Llyn Lech Owain Country Park, near Cross Hands. It’s said Owain

Lawgoch – Owain of the Red Hand – created the dramatic lake by forgetting to replace a stone on

top of a mountain well. Oops!

A strenuous 6.5-mile stride to Bronze Age Twmbarlwm Hill Fort (Cwmcarn Forest) raises the pulse

with panoramic views. But go careful so you don’t disturb the burial mound and provoke the curse

of the Celtic chieftain Bran. Also resist the lure of subterranean music and watch out for ghostly

Celtic warriors.

And you can always snuggle under the duvet with your tablet and read about myths and legends

around the Rhymney Valley, of fairies, hauntings, hobgoblin and witch. Or the sad tale of The Maid

of Cefn Ydfa who died pining for her true love in the quaint village of Llangynwyd .

Notes to Editors

For further details or to receive a bespoke itinerary to visit The Valleys, please contact Colette Walker of Blue Sail Marketing. Images also available on request for the South Wales Valleys.

Colette Walker: 07988 447573 colette.walker@bluesail.com

Stay in touch @LoveTheValleys

You can also find further press releases, images, features and suggested itineraries in the media room of our website www.thevalleys.co.uk/media

The South Wales Valleys are very easy to reach. Travel times from major English towns and cities to the central area of The Valleys are as follows (examples for car access to Pontypridd):

Bristol – under 1 hour Birmingham – 2 hours 10mins Reading – 2hours 10mins Oxford – 2 hours 20 mins Bath – 1hour 20 mins Worcester – 1hour 45mins

About The Valleys – Heart and Soul campaign: The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Regional Park. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. The area has undergone major transformation with a total investment of £42 million and is now a flourishing tourism destination waiting to be explored.

www.thevalleys.co.uk