Perched amidst the picturesque scenery in South Wales, Llancaiach Fawr embodies the vibrant legacy of the Tudor period. Constructed in 1530 by Colonel Edward Pritchard, this Tudor-style manor was strategically built on the remnants of a medieval castle. The Pritchard family, descended from Welsh royalty, wielded power and influence, with Colonel Pritchard himself playing a key role in local battles during the civil war. This manor, divided into sections for military and familial purposes, was […]
Nestled in the historic Old Chapel Yard in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Penuel Chapel stands as a tribute to centuries of religious dedication and architectural evolution. With the chapel’s origins dating back to 1757 when preacher, Stephen Davies, founded the initial chapel across the road, it gained formal recognition by the Baptist Association in 1778. As the congregation flourished, funds were raised to secure its current site in 1786, leading to a series of extensions and rebuilds. […]
Beechworth Asylum, once known as, Mayday Hills Psychiatric Hospital is a decommissioned ‘lunatic’ Asylum nestled on the outskirts of the rural Victorian town of Beechworth. The 200-acre site was chosen based on the belief that its altitude held the power to purify patients of their ailments. Beechworth Asylum was established in 1867 under Superintendent Thomas Dick. Over its 128-year existence, this ominous institution swelled to its peak, housing a total of 1,200 patients, alongside a […]
Shepton Mallet Prison stands as a monument to over three centuries of history in Somerset, England and is one of the oldest prisons in the U.K. Also known as Cornhill, this formidable structure opened its doors in 1625 as a correctional facility and quickly became notorious for its grim conditions, where men, women and even children were held captive together, often succumbing to illness. Despite early disrepair, the prison evolved through the centuries, marked by […]