Haunted Castles
Wales Sorted by Name

Ghost sightings have been reported in many castles and manor houses. Few old castles do not boast the shade of a jilted lover tumbling from the battlements, a ghostly White Lady, a demonic Monk who vanishes if challenged, a poltergeist, a headless phantom, a spectral coach and horses or disembodied wailing. An especially common theme is that of a victim walled up alive within the castle, whose ghost haunts the castle for centuries afterwards, until the victim's body is found and properly buried. Some stories tend to be regional - spectral pipers on the ramparts of Scottish castles or demonic Black Dogs known as Shucks in the South of England.

Stories of supernatural omens are attached to many castles and the families that own them, generally warning of a forthcoming death in the family, sometimes specifically the lord, chatelain or clan chief. The omen typically takes the form of an unusual animal such as a white deer, a white owl, or a white fox.

In Scotland over a dozen castles claim the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots. In England several castles claim royal ghosts including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Berkeley Castle. Many of the best stories have an historical events underpinning them: often an execution or a murder, with supporting detail such as names and dates. There are also a smaller number of reported supernatural creatures that inhabit castles: fairies, banshees and goblins; giants and vampires, and elemental sprites. There are also a large number of ancient legends and curses associated with castles.

On the right you can select ghost hauntings associated with castles in particular countries, or those of a particular type (ghosts, omens, poltergeists, legends, etc). You can also select the best ghost hauntings selected by the webmaster.

These are all well-known and widely reported supernatural visitations. The webmaster (a rationalist) does not warrant the factual accuracy of any of them.


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Aberavon Castle Port Talbot, South Wales, Wales Ghost Haunting, Jane de Afan
Reported to float above the castle ruins, this phantom white lady could be the ghost of Jane de Afan, the last occupant of the castle.This phantom woman appears on or near the castle mound, located close to Saint Mary's churchyard.
Aberglasney House Carmarthen, Dyfed, Wales Omen, Five Candles
In the 1630's a maid saw five candles floating around one of the rooms in the castle. The next day, 5 maid servents were found dead in their beds. A stove left burning overnight had asphyxiated them. Flickering of candles became an omen for impending death in the household. Some believe that the death of the maids caused a curse upon the household.
Bodelwyddan Castle Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Victorian Lady
the ghosts of several dead people appear to be trapped within the castle, including a woman dressed in Victorian garb, a soldier (likely to be from the World War One, when the castle doubled as a recuperation hospital), and an unknown shadowy figure who lurks in the corridors.
Boverton Castle Boverton, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Wissie
During the reign of Richard I Boverton Castle was the property of the Earl of Gloucester. His daughter Hadwisa married Prince John. Ten years later John divorced Hadwisa of Gloucester, so that he could marry Isabella of Angoulˆme. His wife retired to the seclusion of Boverton Castle. According to local tradition, King John once fled from his barons, and was sheltered in Boverton Castle by the woman he had wronged. Her ghost still haunts the castle, her face scarcely visible, her long dark hair in neatly braided tresses down to her waist. She wanders from room to room in a slow, disconsolate manner, and occasionally her sobs break the silence.
Caergwrle Castle Caergwrle, Flintshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Dark Lady
This female form has been seen slowly moving around the grounds of the old castle; her feet several centimetres clear of the soft earth below.
Caernarfon Castle Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales Ghost Haunting, Floating Lady
This ghost, sometimes seen drifting down the corridors, tampers with any electrical equipment left out at night.
Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in Green
The ghost of a green lady flits fearlessly from turret to turre.
Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Wales Ghost Haunting, Figure in Red
A spectral figure dressed in red haunts the castle
Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Wales Ghost Haunting, Ghostly Soldiers
Ghostly soldiers patrol the battlements.
Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Wales Ghost Haunting, Scent
An inexplicable smell of perfume at all times pevades the flag tower, inducing an equally inexplicable fear in those who venture there.
Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Wales Omen, Hag
The de Clare family were haunted by a Gwrach-y-rhibyn, warning them of an imminent death in the family. Since they moved away, the ghost is seen - drifting towards the castle. It disappears once it reaches the ruins
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Legend, Giant
A three metre tall giant walks the castle park
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Poltergeist, Poltergeist
The dining-hall of the castle is disturbed by a poltergeist each night. At 3:45am heavy doors open and shut by themselves and lights flash on and off.
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in White
A "faceless vision in a flowing grayish-white skirt" appears in a stockroom disarranging items there.
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Ghost Haunting, Sarah
The ghost of a faceless woman in a long skirt, called Sarah, is seen at the castle.
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in Grey
The ghost of a grey lady walks down Queen Street, then stands on a bridge waving towards the castle
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Ghost Haunting, Marquess of Bute
The ghost of the second Marquess of Bute walks through the fireplace of the library. He leaves then leaves the library by passing through a six-foot-thick wall into a corridor. He then passes through the wall of the chapel and into the room in which he died.
Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales Omen, Sound of a coach
A horse drawn coach is heard when a member of the Hastings family is about to die at the castle. It was last heard by John Boyle, the night his cousin the Marquis of Hastings died.
Carew Castle Pembroke, Dyfedÿ, Wales Ghost Haunting, Helen of Wales
A ghostly figure, thought to be Princess Nest, known as the Helen of Wales, walks the castle grounds looking for something
Chepstow Castle Chepstow, , Wales Legend, Sleeping King
A cave under the castle was once explored by a man who claimed to have seen King Arthur and his knights. He fled after making noise which made the knights stir.
Castell Coch Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales Legend, Three Eagles
There is a hoard of buried treasure at the castle, protected by three supernatural eagles
Castell Coch Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales Ghost Haunting, Dame Griffiths
The young son of Dame Griffiths fell into a pool of dark water within the castle precincts and was never seen again. Dame Griffiths was inconsolable and died from her grief. Her ghost, a White Lady, wanders about the castle and its surrounding woods.
Castell Coch Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales Ghost Haunting, Spectral Cavalier
The ghost of a cavalier walks the castle grounds.
Conwy Castle , Conwy, Wales Ghost Haunting, Bereaved Lord
One of the lords at Plas Mawr had to leave Conwy to fight in a distant war. When he was due to return, his wife and child climbed the steep steps to a lookout tower. He did not appear, so the wife and child had to leave the tower when it grew dark. On the way down she slipped, and both of them fell to the bottom of the tower. They were taken to the lantern room and a Doctor Dic was summoned. He could do nothing to save them. Fearing the wrath of the lord upon his return, a servant locked Dr. Dic inside the lantern room with the dying mother and child. On the lord's return, the door was unlocked and he found the dead bodies of his wife and child, but there was no sign of Dr. Dic, who was was never seen again. The bereaved lord went mad with grief and died soon after. His ghost still seeks the vanished doctor in the lantern room.
Conwy Castle , Conwy, Wales Ghost Haunting, Figure in Cloak
Walking around the battlements of the castle, this shadowy cloaked figure has been glimpsed by tourists.
Denbigh Castle Denbigh, Clwyd, Wales Ghost Haunting, Young Man
The son of the castle's builder was accused of having an affair with the land owner's daughter, and was thrown to his death from the partly completed tower. The dark ghostly figure seen dashing around the Goblin Tower is said to be his ghost.
Denbigh Castle Denbigh, Clwyd, Wales Legend, Dragon
Local legend says that a dragon once resided in the castle. It was killed by a man with eight fingers on each hand.
Denbigh Castle Denbigh, Clwyd, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in Grey
The ghost of a grey lady is seen at the castle.
Dinas Powys Castle Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales Legend, Man in Gold Laced Suit
A spectral Man in Gold Laced Suit appeared to a poor spinning woman and guided her to a hidden box. She was instructed to send it to the Earl of Powys in London without opening it. She did so, and in return the Earl paid her rent for the rest of her life. The contents of the box were never revealed.
Dunraven Castle St Brides Major, Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in Blue
The castle was demolished after World War II. The castle ruins are haunted by a little old lady in a blue dress who left behind her the smell of mimosa.
Dunraven Castle St Brides Major, Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Ship Wrecker
This castle (now demolished) was haunted by the ghost of a ship wrecker. The ghost appears on the anniversary of his death, walking the coastline, shouting and screaming.
Ewloe Castle Deeside, Flintshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Phantom Soldiers
The ghostly echo of marching soldiers haunt the castle.
Ewloe Castle Deeside, Flintshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Phantom Singing
A soft ghostly singing can be heard as the rain and wind buffet the castle.
Gwrych Castle Llanddulas, Conwy, Wales Ghost Haunting, Woman in White
This castle is haunted by the ghost of a womanÿin white, who returned to the castle after her body was buried in unconsecrated ground.
Gwrych Castle Llanddulas, Conwy, Wales Ghost Haunting, Woman in Red
The castle is haunted by a lady in pink (ie scarlet) thought to have been killed while riding to hounds.
Gwydir Castle Llanrwst, Conwy Valley, Wales Ghost Haunting, Maid
Sir John Wynn murdered a maid at the castle after she threatened to make public their affair. He bricked her body up in a chimney, but the smell of the rotting corpse hung around the room for months afterwards. Her ghost is said to secrete the same stench. Sir John also continues to linger around the building, as does a large dog and several crying children.
Kidwelly Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Gwenllian
The female warrior Gwenllian, Princess of Wales, lost her head in battle in 1337 against the Norman at the site of the castle. Her headless ghost rode the area for many years afterwards. The haunting stopped when her head and body were located and buried together.
Manorbier Castle Pembroke, Dyfedÿ, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in Black
This female ghost dressed in black appears near the castle gatehouse each September.
Margam Castle Port Talbot, South Wales, Wales Ghost Haunting, Robert Scott
A former gamekeeper, Lincolnshire was murdered by a poacher. His ghost haunts the staircase in the hall.
Margam Castle Port Talbot, South Wales, Wales Ghost Haunting, Disembodied Laughter
The spectral sound of disembodied laughter is heard at the castle.
Margam Castle Port Talbot, South Wales, Wales Ghost Haunting, Victorian Children
The ghosts of Victorian children haunt the castle.
Newport Castle Newport , Dyfedÿ, Wales Ghost Haunting, Robert FitzHamon
The castle is haunted by the giant figure of FitzHamon who built it.
Ogmore Castle Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Guard
A ghost protects hidden treasure at the castle. This ghost once attacked a man who tried to take treasure and he died soon afterwards of a mysterious wasting disease.
Ogmore Castle Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Spectral Woman
The ghost of a woman haunts the castle.
Oystermouth Castle Swansea Bay, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in White
The castle grounds are haunted by this crying phantom with a bloody back.
Penard Castle Penard, Gower Peninsula, Wales Ghost Haunting, Gwrach-y-rhibyn
The ghost of an old hag haunts the castle ruins.
Penhow Castle Penhow, Gwent, Wales Ghost Haunting, Phantom Girl
A phantom young girl dressed for a kitchen has been reported in the great hall.
Penllyne Castle Cowbridge, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Crested Dragons
The dragons here were once said to be quite common, if not a little shy. They snacked on the local produce, and sparkled and shimmered when escaping farmers; they were eventually all killed.
Pennard Castle (ruins) Penmaen, Caerphilly, Wales Legend, Fairies
The owner of this former castle once refused the local fairies the right to dance at his wedding party. The upset little people conjured up a massive storm which then destroyed the building. The site is now home to a Gwrach-y-rhibyn.
Powis Castle Welshpool, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Man in Gold Laced Suit
This haunting ended in 1780 when a new maid was placed in a haunted bedroom as a joke planned by the other workers; she listened to the ghost instead of running like so many had done in the past, and as a reward the supernatural being led her to a box hidden under a floorboard. This was later presented to her master who rewarded the maid with freedom and a cottage. The ghost was seen no more.
Raglan Castle Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Bard
A phantom musician reportedly haunts this building, particularly the area where a library once stood.
Roch Castle Roch, Pembrokeshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lucy Walters
Lucy Walters, was first mistress of Charles II. Her ghost wearing a white dress runs around the castle, her dress flowing as she moves, passing through closed doors if they stand in her way.
Ruthin Castle Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Glowing Ball
A strange spectral glowing ball of light can be seen at the castle.
Ruthin Castle Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady in Grey
A woman decapitated her husband when she discovered him with a younger woman at the castle. In turn, she was beheaded for the act of revenge. Her ghost haunts the castle ruins.
Ruthin Castle Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, man in armour
The castle is haunted by the ghost of a man in armor wearing only one gauntlet.
Ruthin Castle Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady Grey
The ghost of Lady Grey wanders the hallways of the castle.
St Donats Castle St Donats, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Floating Eye
The castle is haunted by a large floating eye that glows.
St Donats Castle St Donats, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Large Black Cat.ÿ
The castle is haunted by a semi-transparent large black cat.ÿ
St Donats Castle St Donats, South Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Spectral Piano Music
The spectral sounds of a piano is heard, when no-one is playing it.
St Donats Castle St Donats, South Glamorgan, Wales Omen, Old Hag
The apparition is seen, looking like an old hag. This spectre heralds a death in the family much like a banshee, wailing in the night and scratching at windows.
West Orchard castle St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales Ghost Haunting, Lady de Clare
This white lady is said to have been buried alive by her cruel husband who incorrectly believed she was having an affair. Her ghost walks the castle and the surrounding area.