Cardiff History and Hauntings

Haunted places you can visit in Cardiff

There are some chilling tales from Cardiff’s history.

 

Cardiff is full of fascinating history, but did you know that there are some haunting tales? We have put together some of our favourites, and you can visit them all on your next trip to Cardiff. Read on, if you dare!

Stay right in the heart of Cardiff’s spooky side at Future Inn Cardiff. Our hotel, perfect for ghost-hunting solo travellers, couples, and groups, puts you within easy reach of the city’s most haunted buildings and eerie locations. After exploring shadowy lanes and historic sites with chilling tales, return to spacious bedrooms with large Canadian-style beds, complimentary WiFi, and tea and coffee facilities. Families are welcome too — kids stay free and under-fives eat free. With free on-site parking, electric car charging, and hearty meals in Thomas Restaurant & Bar, including a hearty breakfast, Future Inns makes the perfect base for a haunted escape.

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Haunted Places in South Wales

There have been exorcisms, unexplained disturbances and ghostly sightings. We have compiled some of the legendary whispers and eerie buildings that are part of Cardiff’s ghost stories.

Did a Victorian woman appear at the Wales Millennium Centre?

A short walk from Future Inn Cardiff is the Wales Millennium Centre. Even though the area has now been revamped, the Cardiff Bay district has a dark and sinister past. It was once one of the busiest ports in the world, and there have been countless murders, riots and violence. 

In 2009, Google footage needed to be examined as it appeared that a woman dressed in what seemed to be Victorian-looking clothing appeared to be gliding above the pavement. She wore a long skirt, blouse, bow tie, hat, and scarf. Experts who have studied the image cannot account for her presence.

 

An angry architect at the National Museum of Wales

With so many old and historical artefacts, it is, of course, plausible that some of the objects are haunted. It is believed that the National Museum of Wales is haunted by at least two ghosts. 

The building’s architect was Dunbar Smith. Following his death, his ashes were interred at the museum. When the museum was renovated to install public toilets, these were built on the site where the ashes were buried. The installation is said to have enraged Smith's spirit, and he now takes revenge by haunting the museum’s corridors. At night, he causes a commotion, including clattering furniture and other objects. A recording of a ghostly voice has also been captured, saying, “The wrong place! The wrong place!”

The other ghostly figure is Lord Ninian, a son of the Third Marquis of Bute. He died in action during the First World War, aged 32. There is a statue dedicated to him in the Gorsedd Gardens, and it has been reported that his presence has been felt – particularly on election night.

Does a phantom coach and horses appear at Cardiff castle?

There is no surprise that the walls of Cardiff’s historic castle are filled with unnerving tales. Legend has it that Cardiff Castle has a significant amount of paranormal activity. Ghost stories include items in the stock room moving around by themselves. There is also a faceless woman who roams the castle, and a phantom coach has also been seen travelling towards the castle gates.

At 3.45am precisely each morning in the main dining room, the doors open and close by themselves, even if these heavy doors are locked. The same place also experiences lights flickering and furniture being rearranged.

 

Cardiff Castle Ghost Tours

The Cardiff Castle Ghost Tour offers a spine-tingling experience through one of Wales’ most iconic landmarks. By torchlight, visitors explore the castle’s rooms, staircases, and hidden passages, hearing tales of ghosts seen, heard, and felt over generations.

A ruckus at the Rummer Tavern

The tavern was built in the 18th Century, but its narrow shape indicates that it was built on a medieval plot. A rummer is a large glass or cup for wine, which originated in central Europe in the 16th Century and was associated with toasts. Over the years, several staff and customers have reported seeing or experiencing ghostly presences in the Rummer Tavern, most often in the toilets and the cellar. It is said that a jealous sailor died in the building shortly after finding his wife in bed with another man and continues to haunt the tavern to this day. How he died is not documented so was it murder, suicide or a broken heart that killed him?

An exorcism at Cardiff Royal Infirmary

You can expect an unfortunate death or two as a hospital, but it has its fair share of haunted happenings. Opening in 1822, Cardiff Royal Infirmary on Newport Road has nearly 200 years of unexplained paranormal sensations. A security worker gave an account when monitoring the cameras. He saw a lady come out of the security office and pass right in front of him on the monitor, but directly in front of him, there was no one there.

If this was not spine-chilling enough, there are also various accounts of vanishing matrons, wounded soldiers and playful children who like to tap you on the shoulder or ankles as you walk up the stairs. It got so bad in the Pathology ward that the doctors and nurses had an exorcism. What the staff had experienced was never divulged. Still, it was enough for them to seek professional help for something that clearly frightened them.

The ghosts of Llandaff Cathedral

With the Cathedral dating back to the 11th Century, it is understandable why Llandaff is one of the most haunted spots in Cardiff. Behind the Cathedral, there used to be a village and a road, which was called the ‘road of the dead’. Bodies were carried along here to be buried in the graveyard. In the cemetery of Llandaff Cathedral, visitors have reported seeing hooded or faceless figures, and even witch-like demons. Other sightings have included soldiers, monks and priests. The sounds of children have also been heard by visitors. As well as them playing or peeking from behind trees and gravestones.

A boy in blue drowned when playing in the River Taff, and the ghost of the boy’s mother has been seen wading through the water, desperately searching for him. On the paths themselves, eerie footsteps have been heard and reported sightings of a lady, who locals call Bella, who committed suicide over 100 years ago.

 

Llandaff Ghost Walk

The Llandaff Ghost Walk at Insole Court combines rich local history with spine-tingling tales of the supernatural. Once home to the influential Insole family, whose fortunes rose and fell with Cardiff’s coal industry, the Gothic revival mansion has witnessed generations of change. Today, visitors can step inside after dark to hear stories of unexplained footsteps, ghostly children’s laughter, a mysterious woman in black, and even a phantom dog said to haunt the grounds. With no gimmicks or staged scares, the tour blends fascinating history with genuine accounts of paranormal encounters, making it one of Cardiff’s most atmospheric and unforgettable experiences.

Civil War soldiers at St Fagan’s Museum of Natural History

Many people forget that, amongst the historic buildings that have been relocated from all over Wales, there is a Grade I listed castle, St Fagan’s Castle. It is known as the most haunted museum in the country. It is said that the restoration of the village disturbed the ghosts, and they have now returned to their former home.

Besides the main house, the most haunted building is the Elizabethan House. There is a bed there, where a woman and her baby died in childbirth. One visitor who touched it was so overcome she had to be carried out of the building. It is also the site of a Civil War battle, which took place in 1648. Over 200 men lost their lives, and ghostly echoes of fighting have been heard. In 2016, a mum taking a picture of her young son even ‘captured’ two of the soldiers in a photograph.

 

A white lady in the red castle – Castell Coch

Castell Coch, also known as Castle Coch, was built on the site of 13th-century ruins. Reports exist of the ghost of a white lady believed to be Dame Griffith who haunts the fairytale castle. Even the rebuild did not drive her away. She has been seen more frequently since the renovations by both staff and visitors. Apparently, she died of a broken heart after her son, who was exploring the castle, fell into a pond and drowned. She wanders the castle and the wood searching for the lost soul of her son.

With its creepy corridors and dark dungeons, it's no surprise that there are regular spooky sightings inside Castell Coch, too. The most famous local ghost story is the legend of the Castell Coch Cavalier. The story comes from reports from the servants of a lady who rented the castle as a private residence for a short period from the Bute family. Apparently, a male servant said he awoke in the middle of the night to find the ghost of a cavalier standing at the foot of his bed. Naturally, the servant had quite a fright but escaped unharmed. The cavalier is said to have hidden treasure in the walls of the castle before going off to fight in the Civil War. Tragically, he was never to return, except as a ghost who continues searching the castle grounds for what he had lost.

Ghost Hunts and Ghost Tours

Fogo's Free Tours offers the Cardiff Dark Side Tour, a two-hour walking experience that delves into the city's murky past. Starting from the John Batchelor Statue on The Hayes, the tour explores tales of slums, cholera, public executions, haunted pubs, and Welsh Halloween traditions. While not a traditional ghost walk, it provides a captivating glimpse into Cardiff's darker history. 

Cardiff Cruises' Ghost Ship Tour - with the starting point a short walk from Future Inns - offers a spine-chilling journey along the River Taff, delving into the city's dark past. Passengers explore hidden tunnels, hear tales of medieval prisoners, wartime shelter dwellers, and Cardiff's notorious pirates, all while cruising past the eerie waters. 

 

Ghost Stories from Cardiff

Hopefully, these hair-raising tales have got you in the spirit for Halloween. Whether you believe or not, there is no doubt that Cardiff is home to some of the most haunted and historic spots in the UK.

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Haunted Cardiff

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Thomas Restaurant in Cardiff Bay

 

Thomas Restaurant is a vibrant dining venue in the heart of Cardiff Bay that offers a memorable culinary experience. Known for serving locally sourced produce, the menu showcases a delightful range of British and Welsh dishes, ensuring that diners can enjoy an authentic taste of the region. From hearty breakfasts to leisurely lunches and indulgent dinners, it is ideal for both hotel guests and locals alike.

Additionally, the restaurant features an inviting bar area, perfect for enjoying a drink. In the summer months, take advantage of the outdoor terrace. A large selection of drinks is also available, including popular local brands Brains beers, Penderyn whiskey and vodka, Benjamin Hall gins, and Cariad wines. Naturally, there's a good choice of soft drinks, including refreshing fruit juices, tea, coffee, and mocktails.

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