Which Christmas decoration began life as a witch-repelling charm? What haunted Welsh mansion has glowing fog drifting through its corridors even in summer? And who is the mysterious Boy in Blue said to appear in an unnerving old painting? This Christmas, we return to Dinefwr and Llandeilo - some of the most haunted locations in Wales - with storyteller and National Trust guide Ronnie Kerswell-O’Hara, who previously joined us for last week’s Mari Lwyd folklore episode. Ronnie reveals the eerie ob...
Dec 18, 2025•50 min•Ep. 166
How do you build a Mari Lwyd? Where do you find a horse skull? How heavy is it really – and how on earth do you dance with one? This Christmas, we go behind the folklore of Wales’s most iconic winter visitor – the Mari Lwyd – to uncover the practical secrets rarely talked about: construction, decoration, materials, performance, and the surprisingly tricky art of bringing a skeletal horse to life. Mark Rees is joined by Ronnie Kerswell-O’Hara of the National Trust at Dinefwr, Llandeilo – a maker,...
Dec 04, 2025•47 min•Ep. 165
What happens when you spend Halloween night in one of Wales’s eeriest ruins? Who – or what – haunts the sand-blown walls of Pennard Castle? And could the terrifying Gwrach y Rhibyn still be keeping watch? It’s Halloween Eve, and Mark Rees heads to the haunted remains of Pennard Castle on the Gower Peninsula – a place steeped in ghostly sightings, fairy-folk legends and one of Wales’s most chilling curses. From the night a witch-like death omen was said to strike a man mad, to a modern eyewitness...
Oct 30, 2025•21 min•Ep. 164
🎃👻 What dangerous games did people play on the night when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest? Who walked the dark lanes of Wales on Nos Calan Gaeaf long before modern Halloween lights flickered? In this special Halloween episode, Mark Rees explores centuries-old Welsh traditions that mixed fun, fear, and fortune-telling. From sowing hemp seeds in graveyards to listening at church doors for whispered names, discover how spooky games revealed secrets about love, death, and the unknown. ...
Oct 02, 2025•21 min•Ep. 163
Who is the mysterious Ghost Rider haunting a lonely Welsh road plagued by Halloween Jack-o'-Lanterns? What dark link ties this spectral horseman to an old murder, a flickering light in the darkness, and the Devil himself? On this episode, journey into the shadows of rural Wales, where folklore and fear merge on moonlit lanes. Discover the chilling tale of a ghost rider whose hooves are not quite human, and why this terrifying encounter has echoed through generations — a story steeped in mystery,...
Sep 04, 2025•25 min•Ep. 162
What if death could knock on your door — quite literally — before claiming a life? Would you answer? Would you believe it? And what strange thread connects these events in Wales to a death in America? In this eerie real-life account from 19th-century Wales, a tailor living in a remote farmhouse near Newcastle Emlyn is disturbed by strange and persistent sounds — knocking at doors and windows, ghostly wailing in the night, and an uncanny sense that something is coming. Witnesses hear it too. The ...
Aug 07, 2025•21 min•Ep. 161
Why do people report ghostly knights, phantom horses and spectral visions during the full moon in this Welsh beauty spot? What ancient force still lingers atop Cefn Bryn? On this episode, Mark journeys to the windswept heights of Gower during the summer solstice to investigate one of Wales’s oldest and most mysterious sites — a place steeped in druidic ritual, pagan legend, and haunting lore. Is this neolithic tomb truly connected to King Arthur? Did Merlin himself walk these lands? And what rea...
Jul 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 160
Why has Craig-y-Nos Castle drawn ghost hunters, psychics and TV crews for decades? What secrets still linger in its shadowy halls? Find out in the 5th anniversary episode of Ghosts and Folklore of Wales. This month, Mark returns to one of the UK’s most famously "most haunted" sites — a place so notorious it’s become part of British paranormal legend. Once home to opera star Adelina Patti and now a hotspot for chilling encounters, Craig-y-Nos Castle has a spine-tingling history of ghostly sightin...
Jun 12, 2025•48 min•Ep. 159
What kind of spectral creature leaps onto a corpse, rides in the hearse, and disappears into the mourners at the graveside? In this folkloric lucky dip of ghostly odds and ends, Mark Rees unearths the eerie tales too strange, too short, or too scattered to fit anywhere else… until now. Why did a grand Welsh mansion blaze with phantom lights long after its owner had died? Who — or what — tormented a hardworking farmer until he uncovered a buried secret? And did a goblin really make a house vanish...
May 08, 2025•27 min•Ep. 156
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
