Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Powys

Apparitions / Haunted Hotels / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Brigands Inn

The 15th century Brigands Inn is reputedly haunted by an unidentified female apparition who has apparently been witnessed several times. This family run renovated coaching inn dating from 1488, acquired its name from the buildings association with the Mawddy Bandits or Red Bandits or the ‘red haired thieves of Mawddwy’ who were active in this region during the 16th century.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Powis Castle

Powis Castle dates back to the 13th century when it was a medieval stronghold for the Welsh princes of Powys. It is now the ancestral home for the Earls of Powis and has been continuously lived in for over seven hundred years. It is only to be expected that a castle with such a long history would have acquired a few ghosts over the years.

The Ghosts:

Fairies / Folklore / Welsh Fairies

Llyn Y Fan Fach

Traditionally the lake is thought to have been bottomless, and it has long been associated with fairies.

Folklore / Folktales / Welsh Folktales

The Shepherd of Myddvai

This tale tells how a young shepherd won and lost a fairy bride from Lynn y Fan Fach (Van Vach), the fairy lake at the foot of Bannau Sir Gaer in the Brecon Beacons. This version was collected and told by Joseph Jacobs and appeared in his book Celtic Fairy Tales published in 1892 (David Nutt).

Hauntings

Harper’s Pool

A pool in the river Teifi called ‘The Pool of the Harper’ is said to be haunted by the ghost of a harper, who drowned there many years ago. He makes his presence felt by wistful songs that can only be heard by certain people.