Llanfyllin Union Workhouse
The Llanfyllin Union Workhouse, located in Llanfyllin, Powys, Wales, was constructed in 1838 to house and employ the local poor. Designed by architect Thomas Penson, this imposing stone building operated as a workhouse until 1930. During its active years, it provided shelter for the destitute, elderly, and infirm, subjecting inmates to strict rules and hard labor in exchange for basic necessities.
The workhouse’s history is marked by hardship and suffering. Families were often separated upon entry, with men, women, and children assigned to different wards. Living conditions were harsh, with overcrowding and disease being common issues. Many inmates died within its walls, particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Ghost stories associated with the Llanfyllin Union Workhouse reflect its grim past. Visitors and former staff have reported unexplained phenomena throughout the building. The most frequently encountered apparition is that of a young girl, often seen wandering the corridors or heard crying in empty rooms. Some speculate she may have been separated from her family or died while in the workhouse’s care.
Other reported paranormal activities include the sound of heavy footsteps echoing through vacant areas, possibly attributed to the strict overseers who once patrolled the halls. Witnesses have described sudden cold spots and an overwhelming sense of sadness in certain rooms, particularly in the former children’s ward.
There have been accounts of spectral figures seen briefly in doorways or at the ends of corridors, only to vanish when approached. Some visitors have reported hearing the faint sounds of people working or children playing, even when the building was empty.
Address
the workhouse, A490, Llanfyllin, SY22 5LE, United KingdomA490
SY22 5LE Llanfyllin, Wales,