25/01/2026
A WELSH LOVE STORY |
As a popular Welsh wedding venue, we feel blessed to play a part in so many love stories, but in honour of St. Dwynwen’s Day, here is a snippet of the famous Welsh love story, The Maid of Cefn Ydfa…
Ann Maddocks (born Thomas) was a Welsh maid, who according to tradition was forced to marry against her wishes, and eventually died pining for her true love.
Legend states that Ann, of Cefn Ydfa, Llangynwyd, fell in love with a local poet and thatcher, Wil Hopcyn. When this was discovered, they were forbidden to see each other.
Ann was kept prisoner in her Manor House, yet continued her relationship with Wil Hopcyn by sending love letters in secret, taken by one of her maidservants who hid them in a hollow oak tree on the Cefn Ydfa estate.
Legend has it that when these letters were discovered, and Ann’s writing materials were taken away, she took to writing on leaves plucked from the tree outside her window, in her own blood.
Ann is said to have pined so desperately for her true love that she fell seriously ill. On her death bed, she requested to see Wil Hopcyn, and when he arrived, she died in his arms. ❤️
Ann Maddocks is buried in St Cynwyd’s Church, Llangynwyd, whilst a memorial cross dedicated to Wil & Ann stands outside The Old House 1147.
