The Skirrid Inn

The Skirrid Inn lies at the foot of the Skirrid Mountain, in the small village of Llanfihangel Crucorney in Wales. It is believed to be the oldest pub in Wales & one of the most haunted buildings in Wales & the U.K. According to historical records, the inn has been providing hospitality since 1104-the era of the Norman conquest, & possibly even earlier than that.

There is some fascinating history attached to the inn, including some historical figures. In the early 1400’s Owain Glyndwr, Wales’s most famous opponent of English rule, is believed to have spurred his rebels at the inn’s courtyard &, indeed, many English Kings are also reputed to have visited here, but not at the same time.

Much of the original structure still remains. The exposed oak beams are said to have been fashioned from ancient ship’s timbers, & the wooden window frames & doors still remain from the original structure. The dining room houses some authentic sixteenth century wooden panelling.

There is also a lot of bloody history attached to the inn. Between the twelfth and seventeenth centuries, it served as a courtroom. During this era of British history, harsh sentences, including the death penalty, were given to murderers & petty criminals alike. More than 180 people were believed to have been hanged. The courtroom was housed on the first floor of the inn, & a holding cell for prisoners was located half way up the stairs, which is now used as a store room.

During an exceptionally bloody period in 1685, 180 insurgents from the Monmouth Rebellion were also hanged at the Skirrid. The hangings were ordered by George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, more popularly known as ‘Hanging Judge Jeffreys’.

The Catholic King James ii sent the judge to wales to mete out harsh punishment to supporters of the Duke of Monmouth’s failed protestant rebellion. The rebels were executed by hanging from a beam beneath the Skirrid staircase. The rope marks are still imbedded in the beam.

Many believe the bloody history has left some paranormal energy in the Skirrit, some non paying visitors who refuse to leave. Although it is not documented whether the judge sat in person at the courtyard, Hanging Judge Jeffreys is rumoured to stalk the upper floors of the inn, no doubt looking for felons to condemn to death. One felon, a sheep rustler by the name of John Crowther, has reportedly put in an appearance & the malevolent presence of Judge Jeffreys hangman has been reported along with many other ghosts.

Not all the Skirrid ghosts are criminal or malevolent, they include local clergyman, Father Henry Vaughan, & is said to be harmless & friendly. Fanny Price, who worked at the inn, is very active, she died in 1873 aged 35 from consumption, & is known to mainly haunt room 3. Other occurrences include sightings of a lady in white, the sound of soldiers in the courtyard, the rustling of a woman’s dress, the overpowering smell of perfume, & glasses flying across the bar unaided.

Grave of Fanny Price

People have also reported hearing strange knocking sounds, doors slamming shut, or shaking violently before opening on there own, unexplained footsteps have also been heard & cold spots have been felt.