Only two and a half miles from Denbigh, Henllan is well known locally for its unusual church. The tower is separate from the main body of the church and was built in the far corner of the church yard, on a rocky mound. One reason for that MAY be that it was felt that the church bells would be heard from further away, in what was once a large parish.
Henllan's ghostly charm: The village's only pub is believed to be one of the oldest in Wales. Llindir Inn is a 13th century thatched building, and is well known for its ghost! Dewi Roberts, in his book The Old Villages of Denbighshire and Flintshire, writes how pub-goers have seen 'an attractive woman in white'. She's believed to have been married to a seafarer, and while he was away, she found herself a lover. One winter night her husband took unexpected shore leave, and caught them both 'in the act'. He murdered his wife, and from that moment on, a number of people claim to have seen her. The story attracted so much attention, that it was even part of a television programme back in the sixties.
Famous people from Henllan: One of Henllan's most famous sons is Humphrey Llwyd who was actually born a mile away from the village, in Foxhall. He's best known for his cartography. He prepared Wales' first maps, and also published a number of books.
Henllan today: Henllan used to be a thriving village in the last century, with plenty of grocers shops, a butchers, and even a part time barbers shop. The village is still well known for its bread- Henllan bread- but that's baked in Denbigh.
More details: The Old Villages of Denbighshire and Flintshire by Dewi Roberts. Published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, Gwynedd.
Website: www.carreg-gwalch.co.uk
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your comments
Kasper Phillips - Ontario
Visited recently. My ancestors were from Henllan and some are buried in the churchyard. Different from what I was led to believe - bigger too. Almost missed it though what with the tatty village name plate on the Denbigh Road. It looks like its been there since Adam was a lad! All stained and mildew. I suppose it's what you Brits call 'character'. In Canada we would have turfed that out with the chamber pot.
Fri Aug 22 08:03:27 2008
Lucie, Henllan
Why is the noticeboard that is on Denbigh Street going to be moved? I, and lots of my friends think that it is fine where it is. To put it next to the bus shelter will make the pavement narrower especially if there is someone with a pushchair there as well. Surely the council could find something better to spend £2500 on - such as more facilities for the youth club.
Mon Aug 4 10:47:59 2008
Hilary Robinson from Canada
I went to Galltfaenan Boarding School in the late 1950s and early 1960s and I was confirmed in Henllan Church. We had to walk to the church every Sunday. I have many good memories, including the production of "Pride and Prejudice" that the school put on in Henllan Village Hall. In 1995 I went back to Henllan with my husband. It hadn't changed a bit!
Thu Jul 24 08:49:13 2008
Diane Waters
I moved to Henllan nearly 2 yrs ago and I love the place. Always lived nearby but the people have made us so welcome and I love the comunity spirt. The WI are always looking for new members so come along - it's great and the gardening club.
Mon Jun 23 09:28:55 2008
Gwennyth Bolinger, Canada
My grandfather William Parry grew up in Henllan. I think his parents might have owned the Llindir Inn at one time. We also have a picture of them at their home, ty Crwn. I would be interested in any info about the family.
Fri Feb 1 08:07:59 2008
Don Lewis, Cheshire
I'm researching my family and the area of Henllan keeps cropping up. My great grandfather Edward Lewis and his wife Sarah (nee Pierce) lived there in Vron Terrage in 1881. Does anyone know anything about Lewis decendants who may still be around?
Fri Jan 25 13:31:18 2008
Leta Clarke
My sister Olive lived at Yr Hen Felin (the old mill) in Henllan. She died in February this year and I miss her so much. She did so much for the village with her baking & flower arranging. She will be sadly missed by all her family & good friends.
Thu Dec 6 13:29:52 2007
Darren Charles - Perth, WA
The website I alluded to in my previous posting may be of help - if its still working. Try - henllan.com/forum They have had a nice geneology section which has assisted others.Good luck.
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Tue Sep 25 08:02:06 2007
Susan Davies Stevenage Herts
I have my ancestors living in Henllan in 1901, John Davies was a Master Painter, his son also named John a painter, also another family member living above post office. Where can I find any other information?
Fri Sep 21 13:38:48 2007
Darren Charles - currently in Perth , WA
What's (not) happening with the Henllan website? I looked for information about various village events and there is nothing reported. Don't they have the Extravaganza - Flower Show and other things any more? I've tried posting on their Forum, and my postings don't remain longer than a day and there are no responses! Aren't there any administrators any more, or is there no one else interested in doing the job? It was a nice site when it started.
Mon Sep 17 08:07:44 2007
Kathryn Goodell, El Paso Texas
Came to Henllan to see where my great-great-grandather was born (Elias Evans) and I really enjoyed my time there.I hope to be back in 2008 for more visiting there and in St Asaph.
Mon Aug 6 11:37:50 2007
Liam (formerly Henllan)
Typical Welsh village - nice and quiet. A bit too 'Peyton Place' for my liking though. I lived in the old schoolhouse on Ochr-y-Bryn. The pub - the Llindir in those days - buzzed. Some real characters there then - Dia Bach and Dai Dump. All gone now I expect.
Wed Jul 18 13:13:15 2007
Joyce Cavanagh
Hi Christine Rollison (nee Griffiths). I haven't been on the website for a few weeks, so only saw your letter today about happy times spent in Henllan. I would love to contact you, but as the website doesn't allow posting personal email addresses I'm not sure how to go about it. I just hope that BBC Wales northeast can find a way of giving me your details, or you, mine. Look forward to that being made possible.
Mon Jul 9 08:35:31 2007
Christine Rollison (nee Griffiths) Sydney Australi
I would like to contact Joyce Radford (nee Cavanagh) re her and Brian's time at Henllan. Mr & Mrs Griffiths are my Nain and Taid and my father, Thomas Owen Griffiths, lives in Denbigh. I do remember you both coming for summer holidays and I have photos of us all on a day out with my mother. I stayed with Marjorie Lyndhurst a few years ago when I was over from Australia. Where Taid kept the bees has all gone now and another house has been built. He always used to win prizes at the Denbigh Flower Show for his honey. Do please try and contact me.
Wed Jun 27 09:59:03 2007
Ann from London
Great to see David & Vanessa on television at lunchtime today. So pleased that they are making such a go of the shop/post office and wish them well for the future. I like to call in to see what changes they have made to the shop whenever I am going through Henllan.
Wed May 9 16:32:42 2007
Paul Williams from Henllan
I went to Henllan Primary when I was young. A beautiful village with great people.
Tue May 8 09:49:59 2007
Margaret Jones, Stevenage, Herts
I used to go to Brownies in Henllan in the early fifties and our Brown Owl lived at Foxhall.
Wed Mar 28 16:40:36 2007
Joyce Cavanagh (nee Radford)
I enjoyed looking at the photo's of Henllan. My mother and brother Brian were evacuated to Henllan from Liverpool during the war, my father being in the Navy. I was born in Wrexham a few months after they arrived. My brother went to Henllan school aged three. Mr & Mrs Thomas Griffiths had taken us in and became like family. They were so kind and good to us and thereafter we spent our childhood summer holidays with them. They were definitely some of the best years of our young lives. We got to know everything about Henllan and spent hours playing in and exploring the area, so the photos brought back such happy, happy memories, especially seeing Meifod, where we used to stay, in the background of Lyndhurst.
Mon Mar 19 08:30:04 2007
Pat from Liverpool
Came to Henllan to visit my husband's ancestors' birthplace. Lovely place. Fantastic Sunday roast at the llindir.
Mon Feb 19 13:21:28 2007
Henry from Box Hill (ex Crowborough)
Visited recently only to find Wenna's comments true. It's a pity. That Alan guy -can't remember his last name - kept a real good pint of beer. Beers cheaper here too.
Thu Nov 16 12:07:59 2006
Wenna from Henllan
We have a nicely revamped shop and Post Office. Pity about the Llindir Inn, its really gone down.
Mon Oct 30 10:05:41 2006
Henry from Crowborough
A quiet little village with a nice old fashioned pub. It's nice to see that the local folks are having their say about what affects and concerns them. Keep giving authority a bashing Henllan folk. More power to the people.
Tue Aug 29 16:22:27 2006
Ifan from Henllan
Henllan now has its own web site. The locals are really giving Denbighshire County Council a bashing. Take a look if your interested at: www.henllan.com (forum).
Mon Feb 6 22:24:35 2006
liam from henllan
henllan is ece hi danny
Thu Nov 24 11:16:56 2005
Karin from Stockholm, Sweden
Henllan was fantastic - and so was my entire stay in Wales. Had two great nights in the Henllan pub! :) I'll be coming back!
Wed Nov 24 14:46:54 2004
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