Location: Plas Newydd Manor

Place: Llangollen, Denbighshire

Date: 17 July 2010

Time: 21:00 - 04:00

At the beginning of the 18th century Llangollen and, in particular, Plas Newydd was well-known for being the home to Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby, The Ladies of Llangollen. The story of their elopement from Ireland, their journey to Wales and the setting up of their home at Plas Newydd in the face of so much opposition to their relationship captured the hearts and imagination of locals and Regency alike. Living near to the main London to Dublin travel route, together with the fabulous house and gardens they transformed themselves, made them easily accessible and many national figures visited the Ladies at Plas Newydd.

Plas Newydd was originally a small cottage named Pen-y-Maes when the Ladies first moved there in 1780. For almost 50 years they lived there together and between 1784 and 1814 they embarked on the elaborate gothicisation of the house. Sarah Ponsonby noted in 1814 that they had “the oak carving mania” and this can still be seen in the house with most of the rooms and particularly the hallway being an incredible maze of oak carvings. The extensive grounds still show evidence of the Ladies work although the formal gardens to the front of the house were created after their time as a place of peace and tranquillity.

Following the deaths of the Ladies, the house was sold at auction in August 1832 to Misses Amelia Lolly and Charlotte Andrew who were known to the Ladies as “the Lollies and Trollies. After their deaths and two further owners, the property was purchased in 1876 by General John Yorke C.B, a member of the Yorke family of Erddig, Wrexham. General Yorke commanded the Royal Dragoons at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 and knew the Ladies as a child. The property was then purchased in 1890 by two Liverpool cotton brokers, H.R. and G.H.F. Robertson; the owned for four months by H.J.H. Dunveen who sold it in 1919 to the Earl of Tankerville. On the death of the Earl the house was bought by Llangollen District Council.

The ‘Ladies of Llangollen' are said to have loved the house so much, that they refuse to leave. Both women have been seen drifting around the house, dressed in their male attire. 

Our pre-investigation team had a few unexplained experiences happen to them for the duration of their visit:

o Unexplained noises coming from the Oak Room and severe drop in temperature for no apparent reason.
o Feelings of unease for the males of the group in the Dining Room, as if they were not welcome.
o A strong strange smell of rubber coming from the Museum Room, which then disappeared.
o Heavy oppressive feelings in many areas of the house.

This event includes:

• Exclusive overnight access to Plas Newydd Manor
• Tea & Coffee throughout the night
• Psychic Workshop
• Demonstration & full use of "Ghost Hunting" equipment
• Ghost Walk with our Medium
• Mediums & experienced Paranormal Investigators to guide you on your investigation
• Late night vigils
• Paranormal Experiments

• Post-Investigation Discussion Session