Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron Workshop 3 — The magic of Tŷ Mari | Stori Wyllt 2026

We finally managed to go to the house of Mari Berllan Biter on the Esgair Arth estate.

The minibus arrived filled with students and staff, and we gathered around the entrance to the field, with the song of the Willow Warbler, identified by ecologist Carys May.

We set off across the tussocky pasture, diagonally left toward the corner, where the footpath descends down through the wood. Along the way, we saw voles plenty of spiders, mole hills and evidence of voles.

The path was very steep, and everyone was suitably cautious, and the excitement grew as we stepped carefully over fallen trees and descended into the valley. There were Oak saplings everywhere, amongst the Bilberries and the Cow Grass, following last year’s mast year.

We all lined up outside Tŷ Mari, an old and derelecit cottage, with trees growing through and across, and just the two end walls standing. The artist Rebecca Wyn Kelly had prepared a special story about Mari and her witching ways, and the students (and adults!) were captivated within the rubbling walls, beneath the fresh green canopy. Rebecca pointed out where all the stories took place: the Hare coming down the chimney, the doorway where the local village girl stood near-frozen.

Then we explored over the bridge and down by the river Arth, before returning home to rest awhile amongst the long grass, to take a snack and a breather.