Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 danger...

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...

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 someo...

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 hav...

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 ...

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 Victo...

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 dopp...

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 du...

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 yo...

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 abo...

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...

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...

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 encoun...

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 thre...

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 Re...