This is what we know: The manor was built in 1596 by Griffith Williams of Candleston for his Son-in-Law, Edmund Van (or Vann?). The manor is built in a half-H shape of limestone.  Apparently a single-pile house originally and given the forward wings, rear stair tower and forecourt walls in the early 17th Century soon after 1600. It remained with the same family until 1694, however conflict between the Seys family and the Vans left the Vans ruined and the manor remained home to just one old woman. It was abandoned as a house in the early 18th Century and fell into ruins; the interior had been fully dismantled by 1874. 

           "Old Place" stands within a short walk of anywhere in Llantwit Major, and you can see the brooding stone walls as you walk or drive past it on Castle Street.  The manor is believed to be haunted by a Dutchman!  Also said to be haunted by a lady in white.  The Grade II listed building is a scheduled ancient monument and is in the Llantwit Major conservation area. The manor is owned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

          (from listing) "The forecourt wall is from the early 17th Century and contemporary with the extension of the house, built by Edmund Van. Designed to keep strangers away, giving security and privacy to this major house. A common feature of this house type, for instance St Fagans Castle. The gateway was formed in the 19th Century and may have been broken in to take advantage of the courtyard as a garden, the house already being a ruin; it is known to have been dismantled before 1834.  Tall limestone wall of roughly coarsed random blocks about 3.7m - - 4m in height. Battered at the base and with neatly built corners. The wall can be easily seen along the street (east side) and along the north side where it is more broken. The centre of the street front has a narrow arched doorway with elliptical head with concrete lintel and recessed entrance with an iron gate; this has only ever been a foot entrance and appears to be a 19th Century alteration. The south side is also mostly there but much covered in ivy".

          Time has not been kind to Old Place. Do look at the photo taken about 1900 and compare it with modern photos.

Have you got additional historic or interesting information? Have you visited the ruin? Have you seen the ghost?  Please share your adventures (scary or pleasant) or memories and history for the enjoyment of others.  Are you related to the builder, inhabitants, or the ghost?  Masons: the ruin is in serious danger of large sections collapsing. Contact the Vale of Glamorgan Council if you wish to volunteer your time and skills to repair the walls of the manor to preserve this treasure for future generations.  Would you like to translate this page into Welsh?  Digital scans of old photographs & postcards, maps, or pages from old books containing descriptions, history, drawings/engravings or stories about the property would be extremely useful as well.

Have you photographs which you would like posted on this page?  Please send any material (to which you hold ownership) which you would like posted for visitors to read and view worldwide, complete credit given and return links provided as desired.