The Pool of Avarice: The Ghostly Whispers of Pwll Tra
Hidden deep in the hills above Cwmcarn, the Pool of Avarice isn’t just a dramatic spot for moody photography — it’s a place steeped in local legend. Said to be the resting place of a vanished mansion and cursed with eerie whispers, this still, reed-choked pool has fascinated and unsettled locals for generations. We recently paid it a visit — camera in hand — to capture its strange, haunting beauty and trace the path of the old folktale that surrounds it.
💀 The Pool of Avarice
Mountain walks, mysterious whispers, and a moral tale carved into the hillside…
High up on Mynydd Henllys, nestled in a hollow choked with reeds, lies a pool that never quite feels right. It’s calm. Still. But if you stand there long enough — especially when the weather turns — it’s hard to shake the feeling that the silence is watching you.
Locals call it Pwll Tra — the Pool of Avarice.
Bit of a name, that. Not exactly somewhere you’d bring a picnic.
📖 The tale that follows comes down from local folklore — passed from shepherd to schoolchild, and later written up by Monmouthshire author Fred Hando in The Pleasant Land of Gwent. And like all good folklore, it has everything: pride, punishment, and a pool that seems to whisper when no one else is around.
🏡 The Mansion That Vanished
Once upon a thunderstorm (as these things often go), there stood a grand house on the slopes above what is now the pool. A proper mansion, by all accounts — well-off family, big estate, pride to spare.
One day, a poor relative — down on his luck, stomach rumbling, wife and kids starving — climbed the mountain to beg for help. A crust of bread. Anything.
But the lady of the house wasn’t in a charitable mood. According to the tale, she mocked him, called for others to laugh along, and sent him back into the storm with curses ringing in his ears.
Then the skies broke.
Lightning tore through the clouds. The mountain shuddered. And with a sound like the earth itself was howling, the hillside gave way. The house, the family, the land beneath their feet — gone. Swallowed. All that remained was a dark, still pool where the mansion once stood.
The poor man, they say, made it out alive. Shaken. Alone.
And perhaps — just perhaps — vindicated.
👻 The Whispers in the Reeds
Ever since, stories have clung to that quiet pool like mist. Shepherds and hillwalkers talk of strange cries heard on stormy nights. Some say it’s just the wind in the reeds. Others… aren’t so sure.
Fred Hando’s book notes that locals heard ghostly sounds drifting from the water — not quite voices, not quite natural. Whispers, too twisted to name. Cries rising through the reeds, calling out when the storms roll back in.
There’s no stream feeding the pool. No water running out.
Yet somehow, it’s always full.
Unsettlingly so.
🧭 How to Find THE POOL OF AVARICE (If You Really Want To)
To reach the Pool of Avarice, head to Cwmcarn Forest Drive and park at Car Park 2. From there, follow the fire road that runs alongside the picnic area — heading uphill.
Keep climbing until you spot a mountain bike trail breaking off to your right. This is more or less the top of the ridge.
Now start heading back down the other side — but keep your eyes peeled. Just before the slope begins to flatten out, look for a turning on your left. It’s a little tucked away, and in summer it can get overgrown, but follow that narrow path.
You’ll know when you’re there.
The air changes.
The birds go quiet.
And suddenly, you’ll find yourself at the edge of something very still, very deep… and very old.
Alternatively, if you’d rather avoid the forest drive’s pay-to-park fee, you can start your journey from the Dorallt Inn in Cwmbran. This route, marked in yellow on the map, is a steep trek across grassy countryside paths—so be prepared for a proper hike. The red route on the map shows the path from the car park.
Either way, the journey adds to the mysterious aura of the Pool of Avarice. Tread carefully and keep your ears open—some say the pool listens.
A Quick Heads-Up Before You Go
If you’re thinking about taking on the Pool of Avarice trek, a little heads-up from me: the path isn’t exactly your average stroll in the park. The forest trail can get a bit wild and overgrown, especially in summer. And that alternative route from the Dorallt Inn? It’s a proper climb across some steep, grassy countryside — so pack decent shoes and maybe a sense of adventure (and caution).
Oh, and keep your wits about you. Around here, the quiet isn’t always peaceful, and sometimes the wind carries more than just leaves. But hey, that’s part of the charm, right? Happy haunting—I mean, hiking!
💡 Planning a visit? Learn more about Cwmcarn Forest Drive and its facilities here — just bear in mind the Pool of Avarice is off the beaten track!
Want to see more local folklore and mysterious spots?
[Check out the full series here ➜]
Or just… take a moment to listen to the reeds.
You never know what you might hear.
A Poetic Haunting: The Pool of Avarice Poem
Check Out the Pool of Avarice Poem
I’ve been hanging around Pwll Tra for a while now, snapping photos and soaking up the spooky vibes. At some point, I figured the story deserved a little extra something – so I wrote a poem about it. It’s called Pool of Avarice and it tells the whole eerie tale in verse.
If you’re into a bit of ghostly storytelling alongside your photos, give it a read. It’s a nice way to get into the mood before or after a visit.
Curious About the Pool of Avarice? People Also Ask…
If you’re intrigued by mysterious places like the Pool of Avarice, you’re not alone. Here are some common questions folks have when they hear about this eerie spot — and a few answers to set your mind at ease… or maybe not.
Q: Where is the Pool of Avarice located?
A: The Pool of Avarice lies high on the slopes of Mynydd Henllys near Cwmcarn Forest, nestled in a hollow filled with reeds.
Q: Is the Pool of Avarice a natural pool or man-made?
A: It’s a natural pool, but folklore says it was formed when the mountain swallowed a grand farmhouse during a violent landslide.
Q: Why is it called the Pool of Avarice?
A: The name comes from the legend of a wealthy family whose scorn and greed are said to have cursed the land, leading to the pool’s haunting presence.
Q: Can you visit the Pool of Avarice?
A: Yes, adventurous walkers can find it by following a fire road near Cwmcarn Forest car park number 2. Just be warned — the path can be overgrown, and the pool itself holds some unsettling stories.
Q: Are there any spooky stories about the Pool of Avarice?
A: Plenty. Locals tell of strange cries and eerie whispers heard on stormy nights — voices said to be those of the damned, echoing from beneath the water.
Return from the Pool of Avarice
Whether you believe the story or not, the Pool of Avarice is a striking place — one of those eerie, half-forgotten corners of the landscape that makes you slow down and look twice. Perfect for a quiet hike… or a spooky photo session if you’re feeling brave.
📸 Want more scenic (and slightly mysterious) spots from around South Wales?
[Explore more of Rich’s local photography ➜]
