A small clip-lock box in a geoflage bag hidden near the ruined church in Graig Fawr Woods.
This cache has been placed with kind permission of the Woodlands Trust.
Margam Castle's Ghosts
Margam Castle Staircase Hall. It is believed that one frequently encountered spirit is thought to be Robert Scott a gamekeeper that worked at the Castle for many years. It is thought that Scott was murdered by a poacher and his spirit still rages around the grounds today. Robert Scott has often been seen purposefully ascending the Gothic staircase leading the Castle. His presence has come forward regularly with psychic investigators, all of whom have insisted his spirit is consumed with rage over his unjust killing. The sound of giggling children is heard frequently through the long corridors and dramatic rooms of the family areas. There have been reports of children in Victorian dress seen drifting in and out of doorways and mischievously moving objects. The large figure of the blacksmith is also a familiar vision to many of the gamekeepers and gardening staff today who maintain the vast castle grounds. At night the castle's security guards have reported the noise of running footsteps and chattering voices with no sign of anyone else in the building.
Paranormal activity
In recent years the high reports of paranormal activity have brought psychic investigations to this wonderfully intriguing building. Reports of cold spots and orbs in the Castle are frighteningly abundant on paranormal activity nights. It seems the Castle is flushed with psychic energy. Rocks have been thrown at those who hold seances and endeavour to speak with the spirits. The most violent and angry spirit is certainly Robert Scott who is said to have slammed doors and hurled projectiles, Margam Castle is an impressive and dramatic site with unique architectural features. The number of paranormal stories coming from the castle on a regular basis could make this property a contender for most haunted house in Britain.
HAUNTINGS: Both the castle and grounds are reputed to be haunted. The castle is said to have the ghost of a ‘White Lady', who has also been seen in the grounds. It is believed she had once worked at the castle and had taken her own life after becoming pregnant. It is not known who this women was or who the father of the unborn child may have been. There are reports of one particular monk, that has been witnessed regularly in the Abbey and nearby ruined cloisters. It is also believed that several monks wander around the estate, along with a gentleman who has been described as a ‘well to do' type of man.
Recommended parking is at the base of the hill where there is parking for 2 cars (4 in good weather). Take the steps to the right of the information board and follow the track uphill. There are also other paths in these woods and alternative parking can be found at the stones museum or by the duck pond further up the road. You can then follow the lane up the hill and turn left into the woods to follow the waymarked trail (footpath sign with butterflies). The terrain is easier this way, but it is a longer walk. If you have time you can do both in a circular walk. Don't forget bread for the ducks though!
The cache is a small plastic clip-lock box in a black bag hidden near the ruin of Hen Eglwys. As the cache is under trees, you may wish to check out the spoiler photos that are provided to help locate the box, however these are spoiler photos and may make the cache location very obvious (Bracken is currently (June)much higher than in the photos).
Situated on a prominent south-west facing scarp slope overlooking Margam and Port Talbot, Graig Fawr is visible for many miles. It is a dramatic landscape feature with a mixed canopy of conifer and broadleaves along with natural features such as cliffs and open grassland. To the west of Graig Fawr is the small hamlet of Brombil and to the south-west the M4 motorway runs along a section of boundary. The majority of the adjoining land to the north and north-east is farm pasture, whilst directly east are the grounds of Margam Country Park owned by the Local Authority, which includes woodland and is a very popular place to visit. Finally to the south is the Gorsedd Field of the National Eisteddfod at Port Talbot in 1966.
The cache is located close to the ruin of Hen Egwlys. This simply means 'old church' but the ruin is also known as Capel Mair, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary as were all Cistercian Abbeys. It is 15th Century and was either used by the monks as a private oratory or was used by the lay people for worship. The Cistercians did not allow their churches to be used by parishioners but they often built small chapels near the abbey for their use.
A steep walk from the recommended parking area, with lots of steps. Good terrain in dry weather, suitable footwear will be needed in the wet.
This cache should not be attempted in the dark!
There are alternative routes through the woodland which is worth exploring further.
~ protheroes