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Testimony: The Terrifying Story of Britain's Most Haunted House
Strange faces appear on the floor of a house in a remote village in southern Spain. A ghost plane rises from the depths of Ladybower Reservoir on the Derbyshire Moors. The mummified hand of an English martyr is used to raise a Benedictine monk from a coma on the edge of death.
Odd stories. Perhaps unbelievable stories. Yet all of them were reported in British newspapers in the first half of 1995. They are just a tiny drop in the tidal wave of weirdness that sweeps over us every day of the year, all over the globe. Somehow, though, we persist in maintaining the illusion that in this age of high technology there can be no such thing as the supernatural. At least that is the view presented by much of the media.
Odd stories. Perhaps unbelievable stories. Yet all of them were reported in British newspapers in the first half of 1995. They are just a tiny drop in the tidal wave of weirdness that sweeps over us every day of the year, all over the globe. Somehow, though, we persist in maintaining the illusion that in this age of high technology there can be no such thing as the supernatural. At least that is the view presented by much of the media.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 1996
53 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Mark Chadbourn
66 books220 followersA two-time winner of the prestigious British Fantasy Award, Mark has published his epic, imaginative novels in many countries around the world. He grew up in the mining community of the English Midlands, and was the first person in his family to go to university. After studying Economic History at Leeds, he became a successful journalist, writing for several of the UK's renowned national newspapers as well as contributing to magazines and TV.
When his first short story won Fear magazine's Best New Author award, he was snapped up by an agent and subsequently published his first novel, Underground, a supernatural thriller set in the coalfields of his youth. Quitting journalism to become a full-time author, he has written stories which have transcended genre boundaries, but is perhaps best known in the fantasy field.
Mark has also forged a parallel career as a screenwriter with many hours of produced work for British television. He is a writer for BBC Drama, and is also developing new shows for the UK and US.
An expert on British folklore and mythology, he has held several varied and colourful jobs, including independent record company boss, band manager, production line worker, engineer's 'mate', and media consultant.
Having travelled extensively around the world, he has now settled in a rambling house in the middle of a forest not far from where he was born.
When his first short story won Fear magazine's Best New Author award, he was snapped up by an agent and subsequently published his first novel, Underground, a supernatural thriller set in the coalfields of his youth. Quitting journalism to become a full-time author, he has written stories which have transcended genre boundaries, but is perhaps best known in the fantasy field.
Mark has also forged a parallel career as a screenwriter with many hours of produced work for British television. He is a writer for BBC Drama, and is also developing new shows for the UK and US.
An expert on British folklore and mythology, he has held several varied and colourful jobs, including independent record company boss, band manager, production line worker, engineer's 'mate', and media consultant.
Having travelled extensively around the world, he has now settled in a rambling house in the middle of a forest not far from where he was born.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 9, 2023
I found out about this book through listening to the amazing podcast ‘The Witch Farm’ by Danny Robbins. I thought, considering the podcast explaining the series of events was so well executed and engaging, that this book would be too. At the end of the day, these are true events, meaning the story is already there, it’s just about how you tell it. Unfortunately, Mark Chadwick didn’t tell it in a way that I found to be engaging or worthy. In all honesty, the way it was written was boring and poorly structured. There were numerous mistakes on grammar, spelling and punctuation which should have been picked up when editing. At one stage there were numerous mistakes within one paragraph. You obviously don’t expect these mistakes to be in a book published by someone with such a track history of high profile writing and it puts me off reading any more of his work.
I feel that two stars wouldn’t give the story itself enough justice, however I think three stars is too generous to give for the writing itself.
I feel that two stars wouldn’t give the story itself enough justice, however I think three stars is too generous to give for the writing itself.
February 15, 2019
The "true" story of a barrage of hauntings in a place in Wales called Heol Fanog. It was covered by a recent TV series I forget the name of, although it's not a case often discussed - which I find odd due to the severity of what apparently happened there.
Apart from being somewhat repetitive (due to the various stories of various efforts to exorcise the building) and at times a little cheesy (the author is also a scriptwriter for BBC drama 'Doctors'), the book contains some genuinely creepy moments and evokes some important questions.
I was left with the feeling that the victims were genuinely afffected by whatever happened there, but had a vulnerability about them that intensified and accelerated a downward spiral of mental health problems, which were then exacerbated and exploited by the myriad "professionals" who attended the house to "help".
Indeed, the conclusion of the affected couple after the hauntings ceased was (to paraphrase): "Blimey.... that was shit... But at least we found Jesus."
Apart from being somewhat repetitive (due to the various stories of various efforts to exorcise the building) and at times a little cheesy (the author is also a scriptwriter for BBC drama 'Doctors'), the book contains some genuinely creepy moments and evokes some important questions.
I was left with the feeling that the victims were genuinely afffected by whatever happened there, but had a vulnerability about them that intensified and accelerated a downward spiral of mental health problems, which were then exacerbated and exploited by the myriad "professionals" who attended the house to "help".
Indeed, the conclusion of the affected couple after the hauntings ceased was (to paraphrase): "Blimey.... that was shit... But at least we found Jesus."
January 4, 2023
I read this book on the back of listening to the excellent BBC Podcast Uncanny The Witch Farm.
Whether you are on Team Believer or Team Sceptic or firmly on the fence this is a story with so many layers about the happenings in one remote Welsh Valley that you find yourself saying 'no one could make all this up'!
Read with the lights on!
Whether you are on Team Believer or Team Sceptic or firmly on the fence this is a story with so many layers about the happenings in one remote Welsh Valley that you find yourself saying 'no one could make all this up'!
Read with the lights on!
August 6, 2023
"Silence. Secrecy. These stories simmer behind closed doors."
I think like a lot of other people, I came to this book because of the BBC podcast, The Witch Farm (which I would definitely recommend). My partner and I listened to that when we went to North Wales for a couple of nights earlier this year. Driving through Snowdonia, whilst listening to the experiences of Bill and Liz Rich in their rented property within Brecon was atmospheric, to say the least. So, when I discovered that there was also a book on the subject, I decided to check it out.
I'm not sure where I lie in regards to believer or sceptic. I think it possibly differs on different days, and at different times of my life. When I was younger, I was fascinated by ghosts, and devoured stories about them, either made up or 'real.' What Testimony shows you is that something definitely happened at Heol Fanog all those years ago. Just what that was, well Testimony invites you to make your own decisions, after you have read through all the evidence.
On face value, what Bill and Liz Rich experienced would have been absolutely terrifying. They moved into their rental house, Heol Fanog in 1989, and almost straightaway things started to go bad. The things that they began living through sends a shiver down your spine, when you try to imagine having to deal with what they did. Whatever was in Heol Fanog, or whatever they experienced there, it is no understatement to say that it very nearly cost them everything.
I would definitely recommend this book. But I would also recommend that you listen to the podcast, as they try to provide answers/ explanations for the phenomena that they experienced. The only thing that got on my nerves with this book was the mistakes in spelling/ grammar. Not a massive issue, but there were quite a few of them.
"Many people of varying degrees of credulity, differing ages, sex and religious persuasion, are convinced something beyond the bounds of reason happened at Heol Fanog between November 1989 and June 1995. Something supernatural. Something evil."
Read this, and then you decide.
I think like a lot of other people, I came to this book because of the BBC podcast, The Witch Farm (which I would definitely recommend). My partner and I listened to that when we went to North Wales for a couple of nights earlier this year. Driving through Snowdonia, whilst listening to the experiences of Bill and Liz Rich in their rented property within Brecon was atmospheric, to say the least. So, when I discovered that there was also a book on the subject, I decided to check it out.
I'm not sure where I lie in regards to believer or sceptic. I think it possibly differs on different days, and at different times of my life. When I was younger, I was fascinated by ghosts, and devoured stories about them, either made up or 'real.' What Testimony shows you is that something definitely happened at Heol Fanog all those years ago. Just what that was, well Testimony invites you to make your own decisions, after you have read through all the evidence.
On face value, what Bill and Liz Rich experienced would have been absolutely terrifying. They moved into their rental house, Heol Fanog in 1989, and almost straightaway things started to go bad. The things that they began living through sends a shiver down your spine, when you try to imagine having to deal with what they did. Whatever was in Heol Fanog, or whatever they experienced there, it is no understatement to say that it very nearly cost them everything.
I would definitely recommend this book. But I would also recommend that you listen to the podcast, as they try to provide answers/ explanations for the phenomena that they experienced. The only thing that got on my nerves with this book was the mistakes in spelling/ grammar. Not a massive issue, but there were quite a few of them.
"Many people of varying degrees of credulity, differing ages, sex and religious persuasion, are convinced something beyond the bounds of reason happened at Heol Fanog between November 1989 and June 1995. Something supernatural. Something evil."
Read this, and then you decide.
September 19, 2024
Testimony by Mark Chadbourn: This is a true story based on Bill’s and Liz’s Rich testimony about what they went through living in a secluded home called Heol Fanog, in England for six years.
It was found to be haunted by ghosts of people that, for whatever reason, hadn’t been able to transcend, and by at least one evil entity, or demon.
Adding to the couple’s accounts, there are testimonies from various other people that were involved in this story and also were witnesses to what went on.
I felt so bad for the family living in this house, they were really tormented during that time. I admire them for being strong and drawing strength from their union.
They bring in all kinds of people they thought could help them get rid of these presences, from exorcists to psychics and spiritualists, to dowsers, (people who locate underground water and metals using a divining rod, or well, sticks).
I thought some of these people crossed the line into nonsense and could get silly in their explanations. But, I understand the need of the family to request help from anyone claiming they could give it.
I would have been desperate too.
Beautifully written an so very entertaining, it’s easy to get lost in the story. Held my attention until the last word.
Recommend 100%!
It was found to be haunted by ghosts of people that, for whatever reason, hadn’t been able to transcend, and by at least one evil entity, or demon.
Adding to the couple’s accounts, there are testimonies from various other people that were involved in this story and also were witnesses to what went on.
I felt so bad for the family living in this house, they were really tormented during that time. I admire them for being strong and drawing strength from their union.
They bring in all kinds of people they thought could help them get rid of these presences, from exorcists to psychics and spiritualists, to dowsers, (people who locate underground water and metals using a divining rod, or well, sticks).
I thought some of these people crossed the line into nonsense and could get silly in their explanations. But, I understand the need of the family to request help from anyone claiming they could give it.
I would have been desperate too.
Beautifully written an so very entertaining, it’s easy to get lost in the story. Held my attention until the last word.
Recommend 100%!
November 2, 2023
I came across this book after it was mentioned on a Danny Robins podcast. I have to say that I found the book incredibly hard to finish and quite boring. Which was the complete opposite to how I felt whilst listening to the tale being told by Danny, which was a little disappointing as I thought the book may have been a lot more interesting than it was.
June 5, 2025
I gave up before finishing. Not at all readable, and the author has either been taken in by a lot of flannel from Bill, or has put a deliberate slant on the story to portray Bill as a successful artist destroyed by this house. That is so far from the truth that it casts the whole book into doubt and renders it unreadable.
November 6, 2022
Read this book years ago as a teenager and it stayed with me ever since. Somehow over the years the book was misplaced and I have tried and failed to find another copy. I can get it on Lindle but not in paperback.
Well worth the read.
Well worth the read.
April 4, 2024
I was really disappointed by this book. I learned about it from a Youtube video, and I should have just saved my money, because the video pretty much said it all. I found this was not very well written, with poor language and errors throughout. Not what I would expect from a journalist.
November 16, 2022
Intreging
Interesting book. I don't know if I would have been brave enough to endure half of the experiences. Left me wanting to find out more
Interesting book. I don't know if I would have been brave enough to endure half of the experiences. Left me wanting to find out more
November 28, 2022
Spooky fun
It almost doesn't matter whether or not you "believe". If you like well written spooky fun, this the book for you.
It almost doesn't matter whether or not you "believe". If you like well written spooky fun, this the book for you.
August 19, 2023
Gave up after page 13. If an investigative journalist hasn't worked out Wales isn't in England, then I don't set much store by his research methods.
January 2, 2025
After listening to the podcast I had to read the book. I wasn't disappointed. A five star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 30, 2025
Interesting Reading
The story moved along at a easy pace. It told of the Riches whose life was turned upside down. I am a skeptic but this story sounded believable.
The story moved along at a easy pace. It told of the Riches whose life was turned upside down. I am a skeptic but this story sounded believable.
January 18, 2015
Occasionally, just to keep things interesting, I like to throw a bit of non-fiction into my reading mix. As far as horror fiction is concerned haunted house stories have always been a bit of a favourite of mine so the thought of reading non-fiction that details a genuine haunting seemed like a good fit.
Testimony tracks the unexplained events that plagued a family living in an isolated farm in Wales. From the day they moved into Heol Fanog, Bill and Liz Rich suffered a host of inexplicable phenomena. This account details what happened and the people who they meet as they tried to get to the bottom of the issues that surround the house.
One of the most striking things about reading Testimony is the moment you realise that the Riches are just normal people. They have their share of ups and downs in life, but then doesn’t everybody? They are just trying to live their lives the best way that they can, yet something is causing them constant grief. The effects of the events they experience build into quite a harrowing account. Reading about all the things that happened to them did make me wonder if I would have been able to cope in their place. I suspect the answer would have been a resounding no.
After reading Testimony, do I believe that Riches experienced a haunting? I still honestly don’t know. The sceptical part of my brain falls firmly into the camp that just because there isn’t a scientific explanation we shouldn’t automatically afford events a supernatural explanation. But there is still also that niggling shadow of doubt. Do I believe that The Riches believe they experienced a haunting? Absolutely. I’ve tried to remain open-minded about supernatural events and it strikes me that in documenting this account Mark Chadbourn does too. The details of Bill, Liz and their shared experiences are presented without embellishment. I never felt that as a reader I was being pushed in any particular direction regarding what I should think or feel about what was going on. I’d be genuinely surprised if anyone finished this and discovered all their questions had been answered. This is the sort of book that is going to leave you thinking.
For me, one of the most interesting aspects of reading non-fiction by one of my favourite fiction authors, is picking up on the themes that have informed his more recent work. There is a definite journalistic tone to the book and that’s hardly a massive surprise as Mark Chadbourn was a journalist at one point. I also spotted that some of the concepts and theories touched upon in this investigation have obviously left their mark, as they appear in his later fiction novels. It’s enthralling to see glimpses of the various ideas that I know will appear, and are further explored, in this writer’s creative future. Taking this opportunity to read some of his earliest writing I feel like I have gained a far greater insight into Mark Chadbourn’s work.
Should you read this book? If you have an interest in the supernatural, or are a Mark Chadbourn fan, then I would heartily recommend Testimony.
Testimony tracks the unexplained events that plagued a family living in an isolated farm in Wales. From the day they moved into Heol Fanog, Bill and Liz Rich suffered a host of inexplicable phenomena. This account details what happened and the people who they meet as they tried to get to the bottom of the issues that surround the house.
One of the most striking things about reading Testimony is the moment you realise that the Riches are just normal people. They have their share of ups and downs in life, but then doesn’t everybody? They are just trying to live their lives the best way that they can, yet something is causing them constant grief. The effects of the events they experience build into quite a harrowing account. Reading about all the things that happened to them did make me wonder if I would have been able to cope in their place. I suspect the answer would have been a resounding no.
After reading Testimony, do I believe that Riches experienced a haunting? I still honestly don’t know. The sceptical part of my brain falls firmly into the camp that just because there isn’t a scientific explanation we shouldn’t automatically afford events a supernatural explanation. But there is still also that niggling shadow of doubt. Do I believe that The Riches believe they experienced a haunting? Absolutely. I’ve tried to remain open-minded about supernatural events and it strikes me that in documenting this account Mark Chadbourn does too. The details of Bill, Liz and their shared experiences are presented without embellishment. I never felt that as a reader I was being pushed in any particular direction regarding what I should think or feel about what was going on. I’d be genuinely surprised if anyone finished this and discovered all their questions had been answered. This is the sort of book that is going to leave you thinking.
For me, one of the most interesting aspects of reading non-fiction by one of my favourite fiction authors, is picking up on the themes that have informed his more recent work. There is a definite journalistic tone to the book and that’s hardly a massive surprise as Mark Chadbourn was a journalist at one point. I also spotted that some of the concepts and theories touched upon in this investigation have obviously left their mark, as they appear in his later fiction novels. It’s enthralling to see glimpses of the various ideas that I know will appear, and are further explored, in this writer’s creative future. Taking this opportunity to read some of his earliest writing I feel like I have gained a far greater insight into Mark Chadbourn’s work.
Should you read this book? If you have an interest in the supernatural, or are a Mark Chadbourn fan, then I would heartily recommend Testimony.
January 9, 2015
This is a non-fiction book based around a family's experience of living in a haunted house in Wales over the space of several years.
It's a very intriguing book.
I'm a bit of a sceptic but have experienced feelings that can't really be explained, mostly relating to the atmosphere of certain places I have visited e.g. total peace and tranquility at Lindisfarne, and the 'otherworldiness' of Avebury.
The sheer number of the witnesses of the supernatural activities at Heol Fanog is amazing and apparently there were many more witnesses not mentioned in the book. I challenge anyone to try to explain away the various phenomena described in the book.
This is one of Mark Chadbourn's earlier books which has recently been republished in e-book format. If you're into the supernatural, or even just enjoy horror stories, I would definitely recommend this.
The only slightly annoying part of reading it was the large number of typos. I guess this wwas down to the way it was converted to e-book format. It would be shocking if the original book had been published with so many typos.
It's a very intriguing book.
I'm a bit of a sceptic but have experienced feelings that can't really be explained, mostly relating to the atmosphere of certain places I have visited e.g. total peace and tranquility at Lindisfarne, and the 'otherworldiness' of Avebury.
The sheer number of the witnesses of the supernatural activities at Heol Fanog is amazing and apparently there were many more witnesses not mentioned in the book. I challenge anyone to try to explain away the various phenomena described in the book.
This is one of Mark Chadbourn's earlier books which has recently been republished in e-book format. If you're into the supernatural, or even just enjoy horror stories, I would definitely recommend this.
The only slightly annoying part of reading it was the large number of typos. I guess this wwas down to the way it was converted to e-book format. It would be shocking if the original book had been published with so many typos.
September 10, 2008
Mark Chadbourn's true-life account of the events which took place at Heol Fanog in Brecon (in Wales) is one scariest books, I didn't put it down until I'd read it all!
Testimony tells the story of the Rich family, who move to their idyllic retreat in the country, only to find to find their dreams torn apart by a series of terrifying supernatural events. First there are the footsteps on the landing, followed by a feeling of being watched; then there's moving furniture, inexplicable power surges, pets driven mad by their surroundings - all tied into a string of incredible bad luck.
It's an incredible story and one about which I was eager to hear more.
Testimony tells the story of the Rich family, who move to their idyllic retreat in the country, only to find to find their dreams torn apart by a series of terrifying supernatural events. First there are the footsteps on the landing, followed by a feeling of being watched; then there's moving furniture, inexplicable power surges, pets driven mad by their surroundings - all tied into a string of incredible bad luck.
It's an incredible story and one about which I was eager to hear more.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews