Near the town of Nelson, Mid Glamorgan stands Llancaiach Fawr. Built in 1530 for Dafydd ap Richard, the thick stone walls enabled the Manor to be easily defended during the turbulent reigns of the Tudor kings and queens.
By the time the Stuarts came to the throne, the Prichard family had prospered, and in 1628 the house was altered and extended to demonstrate their wealth.
In 1642, Civil War broke out between King and Parliament, and Colonel Edward Prichard became Commissioner of Array, raising money and men for the Royalist cause in Glamorganshire.
As soon as you enter the house you step back in time being greeted by the "servants of Colonel Prichard" dressed in the costumes worn in 1645. Listen to their tales of life in the days of the civil war spoken in the language of the 17th century.
I remember when we visited recently one of the servants said to my wife" You have walked far my good lady, your shoes are worn and your toes are bloody" ( He had noticed her open toe shoes and red painted toenails)
King Charles 1 visited the house just before his surrender to Cromwell's forces in 1646 which led to his beheading.
There is a gift shop, restaurant, access to gardens for the disabled are good except to the middle and upper floors of the house. The house has a number of resident ghosts, and evening "candle light tours are regularly held. For details tel : 01443 412248
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