Llansannan, Conwy, Wales

St. Sannan's Church

The Ghosts of Dyffryn Aled

The ghost was said to be a shape-shifter by an early 20th century traveller. However, it is more likely by modern perspectives that they are separate apparitions. The ghost of a “tall, smart young lady” was reported near the sawmills. Her appearance was said to be after midnight, walking silently with any single traveller – but never if there was more than one person present. A ghostly coach and four horses was said to appear outside Plas Newydd at midnight, then race at speed along the lanes past the saw mills until it reached Dyffryn Aled. There is a good description of the apparition: “lamps were lit, and… a driver in full livery sat on the box, and on the back seat the guard, blowing his horn”.

 

Dyffryn Aled itself is the scene of another ghost, that of a corpse in a coffin. It is said to be Pierce Wynn Yorke, a former squire of the house. In the vicinity of Pribwll, a ghostly wheel of fire that rolled down the steep hillside was reported. The ghost of a man called Thomas who lived at Pribwll Farm when alive has been reported riding through the village on a white pony. His family believed that he was murdered and buried in the valley, and the wheel of fire marks the spot where his undiscovered corpse may be.

Location

Visitor Information

Llansannan is a rural village and community in Conwy County Borough, Wales.

It lies on the bank of the River Aled and is about 8 miles to the south of Abergele and 9 miles to the west of Denbigh.

Pictured is St. Sannan's church courtesy of Dot Potter. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.