Blackstone Castle was the name locals gave to the palatial 49-room mansion Brynhyfryd that once stood atop Blackstone Hill. Built by Welshman Lewis Thomas in 1891 the mansion had its own passenger lift, electric lights, servants quarters and there was a live-in chauffeur. Lewis Thomas died in 1913 and his wife in 1930. After her death the mansion was bought by Rylance Collieries and over time dismantled. While the house was still standing, people said they could see the ghosts of Mr Thomas and his wife standing in the windows. Today you can walk through the reserve, where all that remains is a brick staircase and some walls of the dairy
