Derwydd Mansion in the Welsh countryside is steeped in history and legend and thought to be haunted by a uniquely picky ghost who only reveals herself to certain types of men.
A stunning mansion in Wales has gone on the market for £1.6 million, but you'll need to be brave if you're interested in owning it - as it's known to be "Wales' most haunted" mansion.
Spanning 12,758 square feet of serene Carmarthenshire countryside in Wales, Derwydd Mansion boasts 14 bedrooms, four bathrooms, seven reception rooms and a self-contained cottage perfect for guests or holiday rentals. But beware, bachelors, as the legendary White Lady ghost of the house is known to reveal herself only to unmarried men. This historical gem dates all the way back to 1485, at one point housing Tudor knight Sir Rhys ap Thomas and is the house where Henry Tudor was said to have taken shelter before the Battle of Bosworth.
Legend has it that when Henry Tudor landed at Milford Haven to seize the crown from Richard III and conclude the War of the Roses, he was warmly received at Derwydd Mansion. There, he was bolstered by 5,000 Welsh soldiers who accompanied him to triumph at the Battle of Bosworth. This historic connection is immortalised by a shield sculpture in the King's Room.
The 15th-century Tudor mansion's lineage continued through notable figures, passing on to Sir Thomas Stepney of Llanelli in the early 18th century, then to Joseph Gulston, and eventually to Stepney Gulston. Notably, the property is shrouded in spooky lore and said to be haunted by the elusive White Lady, known formally as Gwen Vaughan.
This chilling tale has been passed down through generations and tells of a ghostly apparition that appears at the window of Sir Rhys ap Thomas's room just before the death of the family head. Intriguingly, the White Lady is said to reveal herself only to unmarried men, adding a mysterious and eerie twist to the mansion's already rich history.
The breathtaking property also features a listed greenhouse with a peach tree and vines, rumoured to be one of the largest Messenger greenhouses in Wales. The surrounding eight acres include a 'secret' wood and a walled garden, all steeped in historical significance. With its Grade II* listing and remarkable features like the King's Room, historical park, walled garden, sundial, messenger greenhouse and cottage, Derwydd Mansion offers a unique blend of luxury and legend. Despite its secluded setting, you're never too far from modern conveniences and adventures.
The listing says: "Derwydd Mansion is set in a rural location only about a mile west of the hamlet of Derwydd in the historic county of Carmarthenshire in south-west Wales, famous for its castles and Towy River. Although enjoying a rural aspect it is convenient to local towns including the popular market town of Llandeilo (about four miles to the north) with shops and nearby national railway services at Ffairfach station (only about three miles away from Derwydd Mansion).
"The town of Ammanford with primary and secondary schools is also only about four miles to the south-east while the A48 M4 link road is about six miles to the south-west providing quick access to south Wales (Swansea about 22 miles and Cardiff about 65 miles) the Severn Bridge and into England.
"For those that enjoy the outdoors the surrounding countryside offers a wealth of areas to explore including Dinefwr Park National Nature Reserve owned by the National Trust, numerous castles including Dinefwr and Carreg Cennen, the former Brecon Beacons National Park (now called Bannau Brycheiniog National Park) and the National Botanic Garden of Wales."
Since February 2022 the gardens have been a Registered Historic Park and Garden Grade II. The listing says: "Derwydd is registered for its historic interest as a small late nineteenth-century garden also incorporating earlier features including a pre-1809 terrace. The garden can be divided into several distinct areas. To the north of the upper drive is the orchard. To the east of the orchard and to the north of the house is the walled garden."
It adds: "One of the walks that winds through the woodland terminates at the 'painting' lawn, so called because from here there is a view across to Trapp and the Black Mountains, a view that the family and friends enjoyed painting. The gates are electrically controlled and the entrance has CCTV."
Shared on the website Reddit, viewers of the property flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. One commenter said: "Oh I just know that whole place is FULL of mysterious cold spots," while another replied with "EPC rating of G, for ghost".
Others were taken with the story of the White Lady, with one saying: "I enjoy how she only haunts unmarried men." Another agreed saying: "Gwen sounds lovely, sure she’d be nice if you give her the odd unmarried man to haunt. 10/10 would buy if I had £1.6m."
A final commented: "I think this place is amazing, and I would be in if it was for £1.6m and them pesky kids chasing the Lady in White!"