A “Spooky” Ghost Tour Of South Wales

As well as the rugged countryside and diverse history Wales has a plethora of ancient legends, myths and ghost stories. These stories have been passed down over the centuries through the rich Welsh storytelling tradition. The earliest collection of stories known as The Mabinogion date from the 12th century, it was compiled from these earlier orally shared myths and tales.

When this storytelling tradition is combined with the dramatic landscape, old ruins and people’s love of the scary, weird and macabre. It’s no wonder, there are so many ghost stories and supposedly haunted buildings and locations around Wales. For this little ghost tour, let’s focus on our local area of South Wales,

Sker House

Well, the name says it all “SKER”! and it really suits this bleak location a couple of miles west of Porthcawl. The name actually comes from the Old Norse ‘Sker’ which means a rock in the sea.

Sker House sits on the windswept dunes overlooking the rocky Sker Point. The original building dates back over 900 years but the one you see today dates from the late sixteenth century.

It is said to be haunted by a number of ghosts but the most famous is the ghost of the Maid of Sker. She was Elizabeth Williams whose father locked her in the top room of the house to prevent her from running off with her lover. Legend has it she died in that room of a broken heart.

Margam Castle

The imposing country house known as Margam Castle can be found in Margam Country Park near Port Talbot. It looks like it’s straight out of a classic Hammer Horror film. Again, it’s no surprise that a number of ghost stories are attached to the gothic building and the surrounding grounds. The park also contains the ruined remains of the 12th century Margam Abbey.

One of the stories concerns the ghost of Robert Scott who is said to appear on the main staircase of the castle. He was the former gamekeeper of the Margam Estate and was killed by a poacher in 1898. You can find his grave in the neighbouring Margam Abbey Church.

The sounds of children playing in the empty rooms and corridors of the castle have also been heard. And a hooded apparition of a monk has claimed to be seen walking the remains of the abbey.

Ogmore Castle

The ruins of Ogmore Castle on the banks of the Ewenny River is the haunt of a mysterious white lady. There are actually quite a few ‘White Lady’ ghosts this area. However this story involves a ghost who leads a man to gold but later curses him for getting greedy and returning for more.

Only a few miles down the road you’ll find Ewenny Priory and the haunt of another white lady and not far alone the coast is Dunraven Bay where you can find the ghost of another colour, “The Blues Lady Of Dunraven”.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not you’ll certainly have fun exploring these places around Haunted Wales.

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