It dates again to at the very least 1100, and convicts had been hanged in its stairwell throughout its darkish medieval previous
Because the nights stretch longer and the shadows begin to dance slightly nearer, it’s clear we’ve slipped proper into the center of spooky season. The air’s crisp, the pumpkins are glowing, and that unmistakable Halloween buzz is in all places. With the massive night time simply across the nook, there’s no higher time for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters alike to plan a spine-tingling escape and the place higher to chase a chill down your backbone than within the haunted corners of Wales?
Whereas we’ve many eerie motels and spooky websites, one pub specifically has a repute for being one of many haunted locations in Wales – the Skirrid Inn, positioned close to Abergavenny.
In October final yr (2024), Time Out journal listed locations internationally which are more than likely to spook you, and the historic Skirrid Inn was considered one of them and was considered one of solely three UK websites named within the listing, becoming a member of landmark paranormal buildings, such because the Tower of London and Edinburgh Fort.
It is a well-earned spot on the listing because the Skirrid Mountain Inn is alleged to be one of many oldest and most haunted pubs in Wales. It dates again to at the very least 1100, and convicts had been hanged in its stairwell throughout its darkish medieval previous.
It is believed that the spooky Inn was used as a rallying level for native supporters of the revolt in opposition to Henry IV, led by the rebellious Owain Glyndwr. Legend has it that Welsh icon Glyndwr used the pub’s courtyard to rally his males earlier than raiding settlements sympathetic to the English shut by.
The historic Inn additionally options within the Ye Olde Good Inn Information, a handbook information to Britain’s most historic watering holes. Its writer, James Moore, mentioned the Skirrid Mountain Inn might be one of many oldest surviving pubs in Britain.
He mentioned: “In addition to getting used as a jolly assembly place, it has a darker historical past. The pub was used as a jail and as a courtroom, the place it’s believed 200 convicts had been executed by hanging over the stairwell.”
Among the many ghosts mentioned to be on the Skirrid Inn are the hanging decide, who wanders the higher flooring, and the hangman himself. From celebrity gigs to cosy pubs, discover out What’s On in Wales by signing as much as our e-newsletter right here
However there are additionally mentioned to be a number of pleasant ghosts, together with native clergyman Father Henry Vaughn, and in addition a barmaid who died of consumption when working on the Inn.
Pub proprietor, Geoff Fiddler, informed Wales On-line that the pub is haunted by a number of spirits. Geoff defined: “The primary ‘resident ghost’ is a woman referred to as Fanny Worth who died within the 1800s. Her headstone is completely seen simply 300 meters away, up the highway. Earlier than she’s seen or sensed, there’s a powerful scent of lavender fragrance – the sort you affiliate together with your grandmother, that type of musty, lavender scent – and the crinkling of a costume.”
There have been quite a few ghostly sightings, and Haunted Happenings additionally hosts well-liked ghost-hunting occasions right here. They write, “So many ghostly happenings have been reported right here that it has earned a repute for being a terrifying and really intimidating place to spend the night time.
Most of our visitors report that there was a sinister ambiance round them, and in a number of the rooms, they’ve felt fearful and unwilling to enter them.”
The pub has even been beforehand featured on the favored Most Haunted, with the host Yvette Fielding saying it was her favorite place to go to in Wales for ghostly exercise.
“After we did an investigation, lots occurred. We had alarms going off, shadows transferring, doorways opening and shutting, with tables being violently thrown.”
Nonetheless, regardless of the pub’s bloody and assorted historical past, its proprietor, Geoff, has not had many scary experiences.
Geoff informed Wales On-line: “It was daytime and it was the type of determine you see on a Toby jug – a coachman with a tri-cornered hat and virtually like an extended, scarlet coat on. Individuals at all times requested if I used to be scared, and for some cause, I wasn’t.
The considered it scares me, however in that second, it was extra amazement than fright. It was over in a look, and over time, I’ve tried to persuade myself that I didn’t see it, however I do know I did.”
Would you be courageous sufficient for a pint or a spooky keep? Click on right here for extra info and to ebook a ghost occasion.
