YOU can be sure of a thrilling time at Llancaiach Fawr Manor House - even if you don't meet any of its reputed ghosts.

Visitors to the semi-fortified Tudor house step back in time to 1645 and meet household servants, as pictured.

They will bring the past to life with tales of their lives during the Civil War when they served the Pritchard family.

History is made fun at Llancaiach Fawr, Nelson, in Caerphilly county borough, so there are no dusty exhibits, rope barriers or signs telling you not to touch.

Instead, visitors are encouraged to try on Civil War costumes, sit at Colonel Edward Pritchard's dining table or read letters in the steward's office.

The living history museum's entertaining style has won awards such as Wales' Family Attraction of the Year and Heritage House of the Year as well as attracting more than 300,000 guests since it opened in 1991.

In-depth research means that the characters who inhabit the manor - such as roguish valet John Bolitho, storyteller Ettie Gryffydds or pious serving man James Nicholas - are dressed in authentic 17th century costume and speak in the style of the time.

A purpose-built visitor centre contains a gift shop, conservatory restaurant, toilets and disabled toilets.

The shop has a wide range of gifts and keepsakes while the restaurant had a range of home cooked dishes often based on a 17th century or traditional Welsh theme. It is very popular and groups are advised to book in advance.

Llancaiach Fawr is set in four acres of grounds and includes walled gardens recreated in the style of the time. It also has three different herb gardens - culinary, medicinal and dye - and a kitchen garden.

Special events are held throughout the year and ghost tours are held for those who want to check out the spirits that allegedly roam the manor. by Jane Helmich