A mysterious house that survived the complete demolition of a Welsh mining village is now up for auction, offering a unique glimpse into a lost community.
The Ghost Village of Troedrhiwfuwch
The Welsh mining village of Troedrhiwfuwch was once a small but lively community, home to around 600 residents on the steep slopes of the Rhymney Valley. The village comprised roughly 100 terraced houses along three principal streets, along with a school, church, shops, and pubs. Its origins date back to the 1850s, built to accommodate workers at nearby mines.
However, fears emerged that the village would suffer a fate similar to Aberfan, one of the UK's most devastating landslip disasters. Concerns centered on the geology of the surrounding landscape, with fears that the mountain behind the village was moving. In 1985, residents were forced to move out, and the village was largely demolished.
The Sole Surviving House
While most of Troedrhiwfuwch was wiped off the map, two houses survived: the former post office on the main road and a cottage on Chapel Street. Now, one of these—number 2, Lawrence Terrace—is being sold at auction. The isolated dwelling is surrounded by trees and undergrowth, offering an eerie connection to the past.
Sean Roper of Paul Fosh Auctions said: "It's a vastly overused word but this is a truly unique sale. The house offers a real-life connection to a now vanished community where a population of more than 600 men, women, children, and their pets once thrived."
"Why this otherwise ordinary three-bedroom house survived while all the others didn't remains a bit of a mystery. It may be a story a new owner may wish to unravel."
Property Details
The house has two reception rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom on the ground floor, with three bedrooms upstairs. It features a rear yard with outbuildings and a front garden. The property has gas central heating (not tested) and is part uPVC double glazed. Outside, there are stunning valley and mountain views.
The auction house suggests that once updated, it could fetch up to £900 per calendar month in rent. It is being offered for online auction with a guide price of £35,000. Bidding opens at noon on Tuesday, June 23 and ends at 2:36 pm on Thursday, June 25.
For more information, including booking a viewing slot on Wednesday, June 10 or Wednesday, June 17, contact Paul Fosh Auctions at 01633 254044.
