SOUTHERNDOWN
In the Vale of Glamorgan was Dunraven Castle, which once stood on the headland overlooking Dunraven Bay. More a fortified mansion than a castle, it had its own kitchen gardens and landing stage in the bay. It was lived in right up until the 1940’s but was demolished in 1963 as it was crumbling and considered unsafe. Although the Castle is no longer there, the gardens can still be seen. There are many legends of smuggling and deliberate shipwrecking associated with this dramatic spot. Dunraven is now home to the Heritage Coast Centre where information of the 14 mile of unspoilt cliffs and coastline is available.
The Legend of Southerndown
The Vaughan Family once lived in Dunraven Castle. The head of the family, Walter Vaughan wasted his entire fortune on fast living and a life of extravagance.
Three of his children drowned in an accident in the nearby sea, so Walter made plans to set up a sea rescue business. Sadly, he was refused permission by the governing body of the time. Walter was so annoyed at this he co-operated with a well-known notorious pirate called ‘Mat of the Iron Hand’ (due to his hooked hand), and helped to organise shipwrecks, which he then plundered for treasure. One of the techniques used was to tie lamps on the tails of his sheep at night. As the sheep wandered along the cliff top, they inadvertently lured the ships to their doom.
His ill-gotten lifestyle came back to haunt him when his sole surviving son became one of the victims of his shipwrecks as he was on his way home from his travels. Who knows if the story is true other than Walter himself, but it is considered fact in the area.
The story of Walter is just one of many tales associated with Dunraven Castle. Apparently, when the castle was used as a convalescent hospital during the first World War, the ghost of a young woman, known locally as the Blue Lady, was seen many times by the staff. They claimed they could tell when she had appeared, as she left a prominent perfume smell behind her, which resembled the yellow mimosa flower.
The constant roar of the waves on the cliffs at Southerndown could well have been the origin of the next story of the area, or it might even have been Walter Vaughan himself, who originated it, to frighten away curious locals during his ship wrecking days.
The story related says that a prophet of death and doom known as the Cyhiraeth was the reason for the noise. It would let out terrifying moans that people could hear from a distance. The story eventually came to be a foreteller of a sea disaster.
Tours by foot - St Brides
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