Who knocks at midnight—and what do they want? Are these visitors of the night bringing gifts or a curse? When a knock came at midnight, the family inside had no idea the supernatural visitors weren’t just visiting—they were hunting. A seemingly generous call from the Tylwyth Teg—the fairy folk of Welsh folklore—soon unravels into one of the darkest changeling tales ever recorded in Wales. Why did the visitors bring gifts of gold? What happened to the baby in the cradle? And what terrible fate aw...
Apr 10, 2025•27 min•Ep. 155
What lurks in the shadows of one of Wales’ most striking castles? What happens when a medieval battlefield becomes a haunted ruin? And can a headless ghost really ask for help? In this spine-chilling episode, we uncover the eerie legends of Kidwelly Castle - an ancient fortress steeped in bloodshed, rebellion and restless spirits. From the tragic tale of Gwenllian, Wales’ first warrior princess, who was brutally executed and now wanders the grounds searching for her missing head, to the mysterio...
Mar 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 154
What would you do if you came face to face with a ghostly hound? Would you reach out to pet it, or run the other way? And what if that spectral dog wasn’t just a harmless apparition, but a chilling omen of death? In this episode, we explore two terrifying real-life encounters with ghost dogs in Wales - one a faithful spirit bound by loyalty, the other a sinister harbinger of doom. What happened when a man walking home through a mysterious valley discovered his own dog frozen in fear at the sight...
Feb 13, 2025•31 min•Ep. 153
What would you do if you stumbled upon a stash of gold in the forest, knowing it might vanish with just one word? Could it be the legendary fairy gold of folklore, a treasure bound by secrecy and mischief? In this episode, we dive into enchanting tales of the mysterious wealth bestowed by the fairy folk—fortunes that could disappear in a puff of smoke if their origin is revealed. What makes fairy gold so coveted yet so dangerous? From Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale to the chilling accounts of W...
Jan 16, 2025•29 min•Ep. 152
The Ghosts and Folklore Podcast is celebrating a monumental milestone – Episode 150 – with a festive, eerie twist. For this special Christmas edition, host Mark Rees blends the magic of the holiday season with haunting tales and mysterious folklore. Get ready for a journey into the strange and supernatural, featuring festive ghosts, ancient traditions, and a mystery that will (OK, might!) keep you on edge. So grab your favourite drink, cosy up by the fire, and let’s dive into a world where the s...
Dec 19, 2024•30 min•Ep. 151
Have you ever heard a chilling, disembodied moan carried on the wind, growing louder and softer like waves crashing on the shore? What if that sound wasn’t just the wind but a sinister harbinger of death? This episode, Mark delves into the eerie Welsh death omen known as the Cyhyraeth - a ghostly sound that strikes terror into those who hear it. Could it be warning you of a tragedy in your home? Or perhaps signalling doom for someone far away? From haunting coastal cries accompanied by glowing c...
Nov 21, 2024•24 min•Ep. 150
This Halloween, are you ready to uncover the chilling secrets of Margam Castle? Who - or what - haunts this iconic Welsh landmark? Could it be the ghostly monks seen gliding through the night, the playful spirits of Victorian children, or the vengeful presence of a tragic gamekeeper? In this spine-tingling Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf) episode, we dive deep into the haunted history of Margam Park, exploring the eerie legends that have terrified visitors for generations. From ancient abbey grounds ...
Oct 24, 2024•32 min•Ep. 149
What happens when a quiet life in rural Wales is shattered by an unseen force? In this spine-chilling episode, join Mark Rees as he delves into the haunting tale of a poltergeist that escalated from harmless mischief to terrifying violence. Through a remarkable diary kept by a local vicar in the early 18th century, we uncover the shocking events that led a family to flee their home in fear. From stones raining down on unsuspecting workers to mysterious objects appearing and disappearing, this ac...
Sep 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 148
Could this be one of Wales' most terrifying hauntings? How did a dream home turn into a living nightmare? Why did its residents retreat to the kitchen, and who—or what—joined them there? Join Mark Rees as he delves into the spine-tingling haunting of Craflwyn Hall, a National Trust property nestled in the shadow of Eryri's (Snowdonia’s) peaks. Was it the decaying grandeur, the overgrown garden, or the ghostly apparition of a Victorian lady that kept this house steeped in perpetual gloom? Tune in...
Aug 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 147
What dark secrets lie in this picturesque corner of Wales? Why was it once known as the 'village of the dead'? And what horrifying events drove a family to the brink of despair in the mid-seventeenth century? Journey to the breath-taking Gower Peninsula to uncover the terrifying tale of the Demon House of Gower. Explore the mysterious and malevolent forces that plagued the Bowen household, where a spectral figure, or a demonic doppelgänger, or possibly sinister poltergeists reigned. Discover how...
Aug 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 146
What connects Gothic ghost stories, Dylan Thomas, Frankenstein, Swansea Castle, and shadow people that don't rest easy? Swansea Castle is a site brimming with contradictions and untold stories. Is it haunted or unhaunted? Easy or challenging for ghost hunters? Discover why this iconic landmark, steeped in history and surrounded by folklore, defies simple explanations. Unearth the secrets behind the Blue Lady—an apparition with a dubious historical record—and learn about the castle's shadowy form...
Jul 04, 2024•40 min•Ep. 145
The tragic story of Mallt-y-Nos (Matilda of the Night), the female spirit cursed to hunt and ride for eternity. What drove this Norman lady to such a fate? How did her passion for the hunt lead to everlasting torment? Discover the dark wish that sealed her destiny and how her ghostly cries still echo through the Welsh countryside. Explore the lore with Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare. Until next time, nos da! ORDER PARANORMAL CARDIFF BY MARK...
Jun 06, 2024•27 min•Ep. 144
Join your host, Mark Rees, as he uncovers age-old secrets designed to protect against the otherworldly forces that lurk in the shadows. Don't let the spirits catch you unawares—listen now! Explore three traditional methods of warding off spirits, fairies, and even werewolves. Can invoking the name of God or Jesus truly banish malevolent entities? Discover how gorse forms an impenetrable barrier against fairy intruders. And what about the drastic measure of moving house to escape haunting? Follow...
May 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 143
Delve into the eerie world of corpse birds, winged entities said to foretell impending death. Are these sightings mere coincidences or something more sinister? Uncover the chilling tales behind these supernatural avian visitors as we explore first-hand accounts like the tale of Miss Griffiths and the mysterious "little grey one," or the tragic fate of Mr Powell, who encountered the ominous bird on the high seas. Discover how corpse birds transcend borders, manifesting in far-off lands like Weste...
Apr 11, 2024•26 min•Ep. 142
Ghostly encounters that defy explanation are reported at two haunted houses. Are you brave enough to explore these mysterious cases where the line between the living and the dead blurs, and every shadow holds a secret? In our first story, we delve into the grisly crimes of a house shrouded in a sinister past. Who—or what—haunts its halls, leaving guests trembling in fear? What secrets lurk within the walls, and why does the specter of violence linger in the darkness? We then venture to Oaklands,...
Mar 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 141
Mischievous spectral beings wreak havoc in a Welsh mansion that promises thrills and chills at every turn. Fact with folklore intertwine in this mysterious tale that blurs the lines between reality and the paranormal. Was it truly the work of supernatural forces, or merely the imaginings of a frightened community? As we explore the remnants of a once grand Welsh mansion, now reduced to ruins since the tragic fire of 1807, we encounter a tale unlike any other. Discover the rituals employed to ban...
Mar 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 140
Spectral hounds roam the land at night. Some possess the bodies of half-humans, with eyes like moons and mouths that emit smoke. What do these unearthly creatures signify? And why do they haunt the valleys and mountains of Wales? In our exploration, we'll encounter tales of evil fishermen chased into the sea, lost travelers saved by the power of prayer, and clergyman harassed for their sermons. But amidst the terror, there's a thread of folklore that reveals a complex interplay of myth and spiri...
Feb 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 139
Step into the realm of the uncanny and delve into the mysterious world of death omens and supernatural secrets. From the infamous corpse candles to chilling premonitions, uncover the spine-tingling tales that have haunted communities for generations. What do these strange signs really signify? How do they choose their harbingers of death? And could you be the next witness to an otherworldly phenomenon? Explore the lore with Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast....
Feb 15, 2024•22 min•Ep. 138
Unravel the mysterious realm of exorcism, a practice as old as time itself, employed to banish ghouls, ghosts, and goblins from our world. Is there a safeguard against the forces of darkness? Could your daily piety be the key to repelling the bogeys and fairies lurking in the shadows? Are you ready to unravel the secrets of exorcism, spirituality, and the age-old battle between light and darkness? Delve into the very fabric of Welsh folklore, where Christianity plays a pivotal role, shaping not ...
Feb 01, 2024•26 min•Ep. 137
Can the most terrifying paranormal activity also be the most boring? Are dull ghosts really the scariest of all? In this chilling episode, Mark Rees unravels a paranormal theory that turns the mundane into the terrifying. What if the most ordinary ghost stories held a power that could send shivers down your spine? Delve into a "dull" ghost tale in a Romantic, Gothic house shrouded in eerie charm that may, in fact, be the scariest encounter ever. Imagine encountering a spirit so ordinary, it migh...
Jan 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 136
Picture this: snarling spectral dogs traversing the air in hot pursuit of their prey. Their haunting howls are harbingers of death, and their appearance cannot be easily defined, ranging from small white creatures with rose-coloured ears to "ugly beasts" with fiery eyes. On this chilling episode, we delve into the eerie realm of the Welsh otherworld to unravel the spine-tingling tales of the Cŵn Annwn — the Hounds of the Underworld. As we navigate through the Welsh countryside, we'll answer the ...
Jan 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 135
Dive into the Christmas revelry with singing and dancing, but beware: there's a darker side to these Victorian traditions involving a frightening hag and a horse-skulled Christmas visitor. Uncover strange tales of festive celebrations, the Welsh love for singing in the 'land of song', the long-standing links between Morris Dancing and the Mari Lwyd, and introducing the bizarre Aderyn Pig Llwyd, a horse-headed creature adding an eerie touch to Christmas streets. Will you be ready for the unexpect...
Dec 21, 2023•30 min•Ep. 134
Christmas Gremlins have struck the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast HQ. Sadly, there is no new episode this week due to some potentially paranormal technical difficulties. Instead, here's a quick update from Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) in which he explains what you can expect over the festive season, and calls on the Mari Lwyd to deliver some seasonal good luck. See you soon - merry Christmas/ Nadolig llawen! ORDER PARANORMAL CARDIFF BY MARK REES: This case is taken from Mark's latest "Ghost...
Dec 07, 2023•4 min•Ep. 133
A haunting described as "one of the biggest poltergeist cases ever" saw a Welsh business plagued by paranormal activity. The chilling case of Peter the Poltergeist/ Pete the Polt is one of the most significant poltergeist cases documented. A haunting that spanned a decade, mysterious objects were thrown around a workshop in Cardiff that led the bewildered owners to suspect a paranormal presence. What sets this case apart is its investigation by a renowned academic and future president of the Soc...
Nov 23, 2023•30 min•Ep. 132
Can an "uncanny piece of furniture" really suck your blood like Dracula? Is this vampire bed possessed by Nosferatu? When a young family in seventeenth-century Cardiff acquire a heavy four-posted bedstead at a bankruptcy sale, little could they have known it was the soon-to-be infamous "vampire bed." It caused a four-month-old baby to scream in terror, and the man of the house was lost for words - could their bedroom be haunted by one of the children of the night? Explore the gothic lore with Ma...
Nov 09, 2023•22 min•Ep. 131
Dare you join Mark Rees and a team of paranormal investigators for an "as-live" spine-tingling ghost hunt in Wales? Nos Calan Gaeaf - as Halloween is known in the Welsh language - is the perfect time of year for ghost stories and, of course, ghost hunting. The "most haunted" location for this year's eerie exploration is a live music venue in the heart of Swansea city centre just off the Kingsway that has never featured on a recorded investigation before. The Bunkhouse is a bar where members of s...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 130
Halloween folklore of Wales and the world: explore the haunted history of Nos Calan Gaeaf with Mark Rees and a special guest on this eerie seasonal special. Nos Calan Gaeaf, as Halloween is known in the Welsh language, has long been a time for tradition and festivities. But how did Victorian celebrations differ from modern-day parties? By teaming up with fellow cultural writer Chris Carra ( Planet Health ), they aim to investigate the Halloween folklore of Wales and the world, and delve back int...
Oct 12, 2023•39 min•Ep. 129
Journey into the haunted heart of Welsh folklore, exploring eerie accounts of encounters with mysterious apparitions known as corpse candles (canwyll corff). In the 19th and early 20th centuries, innocent individuals walking through the Welsh countryside found themselves face to face with ghostly lights that foretold impending deaths. Tales from Maesydderwen and Silian talk of enigmatic lights that lead to bone-chilling revelations of imminent burials. These stories have deep roots in Welsh folk...
Sep 28, 2023•40 min•Ep. 128
Corpse candles were once a common sight in Wales. What's truly spine-tingling is that sometimes these lights were carried by ghostly figures, believed to be the very souls soon to depart. This episode delves into historical cases of individuals who regularly witnessed corpse candles, shedding light on the eerie prevalence of this phenomenon. We also explore the belief that St. David himself prayed for corpse candles to demonstrate the existence of an afterlife. Corpse candles manifested as pale,...
Sep 14, 2023•27 min•Ep. 127
Were witches, devils and fairies responsible for destroying cities? And what about the lake monsters and dragons lurking in the depths? Events that some people might describe as an act of god have been blamed on all manner of supernatural creatures. What do you believe? Explore the lore with Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare! BUY MARK REES A COFFEE: If you'd like to support the GHOSTS AND FOLKLORE OF WALES podcast you can treat Mark to a coffe...
Aug 31, 2023•23 min•Ep. 126
