Wales, a country rich in history and folklore, is home to numerous chilling tales and ghostly legends. As Halloween approaches, stories of eerie and haunted places across the country come to light, offering a glimpse into Wales’ dark past and mysterious past. From castles to bunkers, tunnels to lighthouses, these sites hold a special place in Welsh culture, drawing in visitors seeking a thrill or a glimpse into the supernatural.
One such location with a haunting history is Capel Salem in Pentre Gwynfryn, Gwynedd. This chapel is immortalized in Sidney Curnow Vosper’s painting ‘Salem’, where an eerie face is said to appear in the folds of a woman’s shawl. The legend of Devil’s Bridge in Pontarfynach, Ceredigion, tells of a bridge built by the Devil himself, striking a deal for a soul that was cleverly outwitted by a resourceful elderly lady.
Frongoch internment camp in Gwynedd, once a site for Irish prisoners, became a breeding ground for revolutionaries, while Cardiff’s secret tunnels, used as air-raid shelters during World War II, hide stories of the city’s past. The Ynyslas Fossilised Forest in Ceredigion is linked to the mythical sunken kingdom of ‘Cantre’r Gwaelod’, adding an air of mystery to the landscape.
In Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, the Skirrid Inn stands as Wales’ oldest haunted pub, with a history of hangings and ghostly sightings. Ruthin Gaol in Denbighshire, once home to notorious criminals, is said to echo with the sounds of the past, while Kidwelly Castle in Carmarthenshire is haunted by the spirit of Princess Gwenllian, a fierce warrior from Welsh history.
Roch Castle in Pembrokeshire, known for its luxurious accommodations, hides a haunted past with sightings of a ghostly woman in white. Meanwhile, Llandudno’s lost tunnel network, remnants of a 19th-century copper mine, poses a dangerous allure to explorers. The South Stack lighthouse on Holy Island, Anglesey, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former lighthouse keeper, adding to its mystique.
St Catherine’s Island in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, is shrouded in ghostly tales, with sightings of mysterious lights and spectral figures. Finally, the Sub-Control Centre in Llandaff, Cardiff, a relic of the Cold War era, holds secrets of Wales’ wartime preparations, hidden beneath the quiet facade of a suburban street.
As Wales prepares for Halloween, these 13 locations stand as reminders of a dark and haunted past, offering visitors a glimpse into the supernatural and the mysterious. With their chilling tales and eerie histories, these sites continue to captivate and intrigue those brave enough to seek them out.