I'm not the greatest person at history and clothing, so maybe somebody can offer some feedback? I live on the Foxwood estate near Erddig in Wrexham and, as anybody who lives in the area will know, running alongside the Foxwood estate is a railway, a large bank and two arches under which people can walk in order to reach Erddig. One takes you to Wrexham Training and a warehouse and the other...well this is where the story is focussed.
You can walk into a field which takes you under a bridge beside the river and a set of metallic steps which lead up to take you under a bridge over which the railway track runs. There's a room inside the bridge, a window which has always sparked curiousity, though maybe it's irrelevant.
Personally, I'm not fond of the place. There's something about it which makes one feel sick. You can walk over the river and enter the mouth of it and it hits you, this feeling, maybe not so much fear as sadness. It's like playing hide and seek and you know that somebody's in the room and at any minute, they could scream and terrify you. Sometimes you can hear murmuring, but here's two slightly odd occurrences that personally I have noticed...
- I used to have a dog, a terrier to be exact and I used to walk her over the bridge to take her to Erddig. After all, it's good to take your four-legged companions for a trot. However, there's an area where you get the strangest feeling and it's underneath the second side of the metal steps. It was an ordinary day and reluctantly Candy and I passed beneath the huge redbrick bridge as we usually did and then she ran ahead. Following her I picked up my pace and I felt that feeling, heavy on my shoulders and thick in my throat and I found her, pacing like a mad animal in a cage beneath this bridge, back and forth, back and forth, on the same spot where the second part of the story is concerned. And I can honestly say that I've never seen her behave like this before...
- On a separate occasion after the passing away of my canine friend I decided that I needed to stretch my legs, after all, I'd been online all day. Now I'd always been something of a sceptic about the paranormal, or maybe more in denial. It's very much like looking at a silhouette and being able to interpret the shape, although you don't want to admit it because it's a taboo or something...
I'd returned from Erddig and again this feeling hit me, a damn horrible feeling. I felt sick and although I'm used to walking in the dark as I never let my imagination run away with me, I was...well, terrified. It was those murmers again that spooked me, but somebody was crying. This feeling of emotion that still touches me now. Somebody was lost and crying and under the bridge, what I saw...
I don't know how old the boy was but I think he was in his school uniform. Grubby and hunched up, sat on the stone-cold floor with dirty knees and long socks. I looked again and he was gone, it was simply something caught in the corner of my eye. And it was then where I picked up my pace, I wanted to get away because I hated it, I ran over the bridge and made my way back but still it was stuck inside me and I saw something else, but I shan't go into details...
I was just wondering if anybody else had experienced this or knows if any murders or if any boy was found around the Erddig area over 50 years ago. 
your comments
Jenny
Peter. I think you may have had a bit too much to drink at the dance that you were going home from!
Mon Jun 8 10:58:57 2009
Lin Elliott, Bersham
I am very intrigued by the comments from Paul walking his dogs past Bersham Lodge - you now say that your dogs are OK with this and don't pull you. Any more spooky experiences out there? I walk in Bersham Woods every day and have not experienced any ghostly encounters nor heard of any.
Mon Jun 8 10:58:30 2009
Pete from Bersham
What a fascinating page. I live in Bersham and very regulary walk around the area. I have never felt unease about the place only peace, but I will begin to look closer as I am fascinated by these sightings/feelings.
Thu May 7 10:02:54 2009
Teresa from Essex
I have just come home from a wonderful visit to Erddig. I enjoyed the being in Erddig house immensely. It was freezing and dark in the house but this only made it easier to imagine what it must have been like living there with no electricity. I am usually very good at picking up on the 'vibes' in a house and I can honestly say that I didn't feel anything other than comfortable in Erddig. I'm looking forward to another visit later in the year.
Mon Apr 27 09:29:34 2009
Peter
Yes Erddig has some funny things. I came from a dance at night, taking a short cut. Yes I've seen a ghost. I don't like to say much about it. I jumped the river, running like mad but still in front was a sight that I will never say, or you'll think I am mad. I can tell you stay away at night times from Erddig. It was more like a monster then a ghost, it grabbed me by my neck, I just got up and ran. Not of mankind this thing was, more like the thing from outer space, this is true. I was grey the day after, my head was so sore I went back to bed. It was from some place but not from our planet. I will not say much more about this, just stay away from this place.
Mon Apr 6 10:46:11 2009
Kelly Davies
When me and my friends were 13 we used to go down Erddig in the summer at night to play dares and I remember one that I had to do was to go under the bridge and I was walking down, trying to be brave I saw something in front of me so I ran out and as I looked back the figure was still there staring.
Mon Mar 23 08:46:21 2009
Beth from Hawarden
I love Erddig, it it a beautiful place and will always be cherished as part of the country's many historic beauties. I know it is haunted as I am a keen psychic and can feel cetain energies in each room. A haunted place is a place with definition, a story to tell and almost a secretive place. I was struck by a ghost earlier this week and I know when a place is haunted, and Erddig is one of them. I have taken a picture of the outside of Erddig and found in the centre of the picture is a woman staring at me. This place always has a sickly feeling inside and a bad atmosphere but I still love it.
Mon Mar 9 09:53:28 2009
Kate Sloan
Has anybody seen or heard anything of an old lady called Anna Bonnet, who used to live in a small cottage near the orchard in Erddig park? My father saw her ghost when playing in the park with friends nearly 50 years ago. She just appeared to be an old lady on a bike, but my father was later told that she had died years before. Just wondered if anybody remembers anything about her as quite a few people had seen her back then.
Thu Feb 26 08:06:46 2009
Kayleigh from Rhostyllen
My aunty was actually one of the girls killed on the main road that Tara mentions and so walking past that way has always made me feel uneasy. I occasionaly walk home from work that route and can walk past the cemetery with traffic constantly speeding past but for some reason whenever I approach the bridge the traffic stops and I'm walking alone, probably a huge coincidence but still freaks me out!
Fri Aug 22 07:55:25 2008
John, Wrexham
I was told not long back on a drive with some friends that this girl one of my friends knows was on a driving lesson and went down the road that Dennis' factory is on to practise reversing (as it's quiet mostly plus it was about 8pm). When going over the bridge before you get to the first business park place, she hit (what she thought) was an old lady. In shock, her driving instructor got out of the car to tend to the woman, but nobody was there. She definitely hit something apparently so it must have been a ghost. Also, another friend of mine was driving to Ruabon from the same road. She went down there but nothing happened. Then she crossed at the juntcion to head towards the Gower and New Hall. When approaching, she saw a young lad sitting on the fence next to the road. As she passed this lad, he jumped in front of the car, making a huge banging noise. Again, when my friend and her mum (who was with her) got out, there was nobody there. I always feel creeped out on that road and the road leading into Ruabon from this road. I get the feeling that lots of bad things have happened on it. Does anybody know of anything?
Tue Apr 1 10:44:16 2008
Paul, Gwynfryn
I went here today, not the best of days to go looking for friends. I took several pics but no orbs there. I did manage to connect with the sprit of a boy. It was as if he was telling me that this is the wronge place and he would turn and walk away from me heading down stream. I also picked up on a gaunt-looking man with very mousey hair. The tunnel was acting like a wind tunnel, it was very hard to stand still - then no wind at all. Very strange place!
Thu Jan 31 15:35:12 2008
Dewi, Wrexham
I'm 15 years old and live by Erddig. I regularly walk through there and every time I go near that steep hill I get spooks, also when you're going to cross the bridge which leads to another steep hill. I don't know what it is but I've got a strange feeling about Erddig. My mum says she knows a woman who was at the trial of a man who murdered a young woman down Erddig. Don't know if that helps at all. I regularly end up sprinting past the woods and at night I feel extremely uncomfortable being anywhere near the place, I find it completely terrifying!
Tue Oct 30 09:38:49 2007
Paul, Wrexham
Interesting to read comments from Mandy, Wrexham. I used to walk my dogs along the road past the step waterfall in Bersham, when we would get to the point of approaching the lodge on the right hand side of the road, the dog would always start pulling hard on the lead with her tail down. Once we were a couple of hundred yards past the lodge, she would be ok. Anyone know anything about this area? I still walk in the woods there, and the dogs I have now seem fine.
Tue Oct 23 08:29:46 2007
Lauren, Wrexham
My name is Lauren I am 11 years old and live in Wrexham. Me and my mum have been to Erddig loads of times. We ask them is Erddig haunted? They always say no but the thing is they look away with fear.
Tue Oct 16 09:33:45 2007
Chris, Acrefair
I used to visit Erddig in the late sixties and Miss Lloyd the housekeeper swore she could hear the late squire Simon Yorke walking towards the kitchen where she sat every evening. She could hear his boots on the flag stones outside in the passage. There was no electric there and it was rather scary. They had a few dogs in the kitchen, one was called Mick, and budgies and also a tortoise.
Thu Sep 13 08:36:15 2007
Cat Hughes
My Gran, Daisy Hughes lived in Bersham when that happened. She has since passed and her ashes are scattered at the side of the river near the steps. My family told me the story about this young boy and when we go to visit the site we take a walk alongside the river the opposite side of the bridge to the steps and I must say it does make the hair stand up on my neck. Maybe because Gran's ashes are there...I don't know. Anyone know of any spooky happenings in Smithfield? I lived on Smithfield Road in a house that felt haunted!
Mon Sep 10 09:32:23 2007
S.P, Wrexham
I go to Erddig all the time it's such a nice place I'm always there! Can somebody tell me where the bridge is that you saw this because I'm not sure where you mean? I went to Erddig the other night until 3 because of the meteor shower and we felt we were being followed.
Wed Aug 15 09:55:33 2007
Emily, Welshpool
I have never found anything unnerving about Erddig gardens except the ducks chasing me! However, inside the house is a different matter. I'm 19 and not prone to 'paranormal tales' etc. But upstairs in Erddig I feel that the atmosphere is very oppressive; my throat became tight and it felt like my lungs were closing up. 'I could not breathe' would be a biological exaggeration, but that was the feeling. I am not claustrophobic or asthmatic. These rooms weighed me down. Outside, everything felt fine again. The overwhelming feeling inside was that I had to get out asap.
Mon Jul 9 08:51:46 2007
Tara from Rhostyllen
My mother went to school with the boy who drowned but just futher down, where the other bridge is, two girls I know got killed on the road above it and that would be 26 yrs ago and we used to play in the field below it and under the bridge with the window.
Fri Jun 22 07:14:22 2007
Davie James
Just spent a wonderful day exploring this path through to Erddig. We saw nothing, but did hear what we thought were voices, just as you enter the opening to the second bridge. After walking through the bridge they stop. We think it's just the sound of the water reverberating as it hits the rocks. Maybe we're right, maybe we're wrong. I must say I wouldn't like to do the walk at night, the place did have an unworldly feel about it. Just one more thing, does anyone know what the small tunnel on the left hand side of the river was used for?
Tue May 8 10:31:32 2007
Beth Richardson
Well, I have just been there today, 7/4/07. I have just experienced something you might not find spooky, but definitely weird. I was walking in the children's playroom, and I pictured some girls playing with the dolls house, but then I saw a picture, and the girls I had seen were on that picture. Another story, you know Philip Yorke - he last owner of ERDIGG? Well, he was one of my mum's friends. He used to come to the shop that my family used to own. He sometimes used to sleep there because even though he lived in Erddig, he didn't have any money. And when my great grandmother went for tea, he showed her where he slept - by the fire in the smallest room in the house.
Tue Apr 10 09:51:11 2007
Aimee Rawlinson
I walk all the time in Erddig, I have been there today walking with my dog and two young children. There may be an eerie feeling but I do think that is down to the peace and quiet - we are just not used to it anymore! I do believe in the paranormal and I am a bit of a baby with things like that but none of these stories will put me off from walking there. Enjoy the lovely walk all don't wind yourselves up!
Mon Mar 12 08:17:21 2007
Arthur Simpkins from Appleton, Warrington.
It was about 62 years ago since Gwilym was drowned. It was not near the 46 steps but further up stream towards the waterfall. His cap was blown off his head into the river, he went to retrieve it and fell in, never to be seen again until his body was recovered somewhere between Erddig and Sontley. I wasn't far away when it happened. If Erddig Hall has ghosts then I haven't seen of heard any. I spent many hours in and around that hall all hours of the day and night. In the winter nights the squire (Simon Yorke) gave us permission to use the 'both' stable yard, where we would light a fire and spend many happy hours. Then walk home to Rhostyllen in the pitch black. The bothy was being used as a Gift Shop the last time I visited there. The hall is nothing like it used to be, there are many things missing. There was a Gun Room which had weapons dating back for many years, which doesn't exist, the games room appears to have things missing, and of course, where are all the old uniforms which dated back to the year dot? I could go on, but having spent more than 30 years as a Police Office in Cheshire where there are supposed to be ghosts in abundance, I haven't seen any. My mother and father said they had seen ghosts. I'll keep on looking. Good luck 'Ghost Hunters'!
Thu Mar 1 08:54:33 2007
Shell Jones
I have walked under this bridge many times over the years and it's true, once you reach the clearing on the opposite side to Foxwood it is rather eerie. All noise seems to stop and it makes me feel like I'm in another time. I was there last, last summer and sat for a while when a heron landed in front of me in the river. I see lots of herons but this encounter seemed odd. Usually they don't like company, but this one stared directly at me, silent and still for about 20 minutes. I've never seen any ghosts there though. Someone here may know of the three trees at the centre of the Foxwood estate though, and these, we were told as children, were haunted by the spirits of three sisters crossed in love. The story went that the sisters were from a wealthy family and each found a suitor, unfortunately it was the same man! When they found out that they had all shared the same lover, they were so torn apart that they hung themselves from the three trees where they used to meet him as a warning to other besotted women. From then on the trees were called the three sisters. I've never done any research on this so I've no idea if it's true. Maybe someone could shed some light on it for me.
Wed Jan 24 08:43:19 2007
Mandy, Wrexham
Just been mooching on the internet and found this site.
Our family lived on the little Vawnog estate built before Foxwood for 9 years and we walked our dogs regularly to Erddig under the railway bridge. My husband and I have struggled to recall what was there before the metal steps. Nothing spooky happened, except one of our dogs on the Erddig estate refused point blank to continue her walk along the regular path so we had to detour. We couldn't see anything, perhaps our dog could! We still walk around the Erddig estate with our elderly dogs and continue to enjoy its peace and quiet, the trouble comes from the living not the dead! However I still will not walk in the woods by the Bersham waterfall, there is a sense of 'watching, waiting and being crowded' there, but that well could be me and not any paranormal events.
Thu Jan 18 12:43:45 2007
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