Just next to the Skirrid in South Wales, you’ll find a quaint little pub named the Skirrid Mountain Inn. This historic inn is doubly famous for being the oldest and the most haunted pub in Wales.
Many believe that the colourful history of this lovely looking inn dates back to 1175. It starts with a William de Broase, a nobleman of the time, who sought revenge after the death of his uncle Henry de Broase, who was killed by Welsh noblemen. Tales tell that William invited some of these noblemen to Wales, the Skirrid Inn to be precise, for a gathering at Christmas time. At dinner, he ordered his men to slay all the guests, resulting in a gruesome Christmas Day massacre. However, I can’t find any historical records of this event.
The most prominent part of the inn’s history is when the inn was used as a courthouse and jailhouse between the 12th and 17th century. It is said that most of the cases here were of highwaymen and sheep thieves, which isn’t hard to believe in South Wales. During his time, judge George Jefferys, these days commonly known as the ‘hanging judge’, is rumoured to have served here, too.
183 people were sentenced to hang in the inn, and were actually hung from a beam that still exists within the building today. You can see the hanging beam at the bottom of the staircase, now labelled with medieval style writing which seems very appropriate considering the history of the pub.
According to one member of staff, the beam has since been moved to the bottom of the staircase. However, he did confirm that this really was the beam the hangings took place from. Many claim to be able to see the marks that were carved into the wood from the weight of the hanging bodies, although admittedly I found these hard to spot (knowing me, I was probably looking in the wrong place), yet I don’t doubt the gruesome lore of this beam or the building.
The ground floor features some very unique, original architecture, with a huge stone fireplace on the left-hand side. On the right-side of the building, you’ll find a spacious room clad in beautiful (assumedly) oak panels, which I also assume was used as the old courtroom. On the first floor, you’ll also find the old Prisoner’s Cell, now used as a not-to-spooky store cupboard, next to the few bedrooms which are now available to stay in. ‘The Well’ is located on the second floor, although I’m unsure if this feature has an eerie backstory or was simply used as a water supply to guests of the inn.
In an interview with the Guardian, the owner of the inn, Geoff Fiddler told the publication that many guests here have experienced strange marks appearing around their necks during their stay. During the first night of owning the building, Fiddler’s wife, Sharon, claimed several times to feel something (or someone) tugging on her leg at the end of the bed. Each time, the couple would get up to turn the lights on, and there would be nothing there. Later, the couple found out that relatives of hanging victims who were slow to die on the rope would yank on their loved ones’ legs to end their suffering and speed up the process of their death. Freaky, huh?
Various reports of eerie occurrences have been compiled over the years, especially around the old staircase. Here, many claim to feel a tightening sensation around the neck, reminiscent of the dark history of this particular location, alongside touching sensations on the back of the neck. Others have witnessed doors opening and closing without human intervention, or seen ghosts of old court men still going about their daily duties within the building.
Staff also claim to have witnessed various spooky goings-on during their shifts, including glasses flying off tables, unexplained cold spots within the building, and even hearing voices!
One of the best known spectres of the inn is previous bartender and landlady, Fanny Price. Ms Price died in 1875 of consumption in the inn’s smallest bedroom, and is now buried at the local churchyard, barely a stone’s throw from the inn itself. She was just 35 when she passed. Fiddler claims that various guests of his inn have witnessed her ghost frequently, and often can smell lavender perfume before she makes her appearance. Many recall her presence to be a peaceful one compared to other spectres that reside within the building.
However, Geoff Fiddler also recalled one guest claimed to be a victim of attempted murder by a female ghost during her stay. Apparently, whilst taking a bath, something held her head underwater. The guest swiftly ran out of the building with wet hair, wearing only her coat, screaming “she tried to kill me!”. Unfortunately, the lady didn’t stick around to explain anything else of her experience. Could this apparition have been poor Fanny Price, or someone else?
The Skirrid Mountain Inn still functions as an inn and public house today, so why not make a visit and perhaps share a pint with one of the ol’ local phantoms. You could even book a room for the night, if you dare…
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