Day 1
Travel to the largest medieval Castle in Wales, the 13thcentury Caerphilly Castle, built by the Norman Lord, Gilbert de Clare to defend himself against the Welsh. Here a green lady flits from turret to turret so fearlessly that on one occasion some of the town boys almost caught her. Ghostly soldiers also patrol the battlements. Modern day security personnel will not venture up to the flag tower because they can smell perfume at all times!
From Caerphilly head to Llancaiach Fawr - a living history museum where you step back in time to the year 1645. You will be greeted and shown around by the "servants" of the owner, Colonel Prichard. Listen to the gossip of the day, hear about traditional customs and talk about the everyday life of ordinary people over 350 years ago. From October to March you can experience this, one of Wales's most haunted houses, on a candlelit ghost tour. You will have a fascinating evening hearing of uncanny things which have happened to staff, visitors and previous residents.
Day 2
Head towards Newport for a visit to Tredegar House. Set in a beautiful 90 acre park, Tredegar House is one of the best examples of a 17th century Charles II mansion in Britain. The earliest surviving part of the building dates back to the early 1500’s.
Continue to the town of Monmouth. A town of grand associations with famous people from the past, such as: King Henry V, born at Monmouth Castle in 1387; Admiral Nelson who visited the town (the Museum now housing a magnificent collection of Nelson memorabilia and personal items) and Sir Charles Rolls of Rolls Royce Fame.
Ghostly haunts
The Queen's Head Hotel, Monmouth
The Queens Head was a frequent resting-place for Oliver Cromwell and once an attempt was made to assassinate him. The unlucky cavalier was unsuccessful and was chased into the bar and shot. There have been many reported sightings of ghosts on the premises and it’s believed to be the third most haunted Inn in Wales.
Skirrid Mountain Inn, Abergavenny
The Skirrid Inn is the oldest public house in Wales; it has stood for almost 875 years. It stands in the shadow of the Skirrid Mountain, sometimes called the Holy Mountain, which, according to legend, broke in two at the time of the crucifixion of Christ during a violent storm. In the forecourt of the Inn, legend states that Owain Glyndŵr rallied his troops before marching on to Pontrilas. Halfway up the magnificent staircase stands the cell, now used as a store room, where many a prisoner spent his last night before being sentenced to death by Bloody Judge Jefferies. The hanging was carried out from a beam placed across the joist of the staircase and the slab on which the bodies were placed may still be seen at the well of the stairs.
Day 3
Travel north through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Presteigne. Visit the Judge's Lodging and step into the 1870's to discover a most unusual household. There are the servant’s quarters, courthouse and two sets of cells for you to visit - the original 1820s pair is furnished with straw mattress and privy. Stairs outside the heavy doors lead straight to the dock. Graffiti, with prisoners' names and their sentences can be seen scratched on the wall at the foot of the stair. The upstairs cells are c. 1900 additions and contain displays on the Radnorshire Constabulary, the judges and Presteigne gaol - reputedly one of the worst in Britain.
Continue north towards Welshpool and the haunted Powis Castle. Many sightings of ghosts and strange happenings have been reported here including one of a mysterious lady in black who can sometimes be seen by the fireside in the Duke's room. A man appears dressed in a hat and gold-laced suit and the grand piano in the Ballroom Wing can be heard when the room is locked and empty.
Day 4
Visit Gwydir Castle in Llanrwst. The most significant ghost is a young woman who haunts the North Wing and the panelled corridor between the Hall of Meredith and the Great Chamber. Associated with the sightings is the drop in temperature and the extraordinary smell in the vicinity.
Make your way to Bodelwyddan Castle. The castle, parts of which date from the 17th century (although it is probable that there was a house on the site long before this), has been subject to many ghostly happenings over the past few years. Reports include a lady in a Victorian dress in the sculpture gallery which was seen by one of the room attendants. Also a soldier in one of the galleries (Bodelwyddan Castle was used as an officers mess and a recuperation centre during the First World War), shadowy figures drifting down the corridors and a lady wearing a blue dress and cloth mop cap in the tea room.
The castle now houses collections of art from the National Portrait Gallery, sculpture from the Royal Academy and furniture from the Victoria and Albert Museum.