On a dark and stormy night, Carew Castle appears as an imposing fortress looming over the Welsh landscape.
Lit only by the occasional flash of lightning, the medieval castle stands as a silent sentinel, withstanding centuries of warfare and bearing witness to countless deaths within its walls. As rain lashes against the weathered stones and thunder rumbles overhead, it’s easy to imagine how Carew Castle earned its reputation as one of the most haunted places in Wales.
Carew Castle was built nearly 600 years ago, back in the 13th century, by Sir Nicholas de Carew. Strategically positioned on an island in the River Carew, the castle was constructed for both comfort and defense. With its sprawling acres of land, grand banquet hall, bedchambers and solar blocks, Carew Castle was once a luxurious manor house for nobility. However, its location on the border between England and Wales meant that it also needed to serve as a military stronghold. The thick curtain walls, intimidating towers, barbican and moat were constructed to withstand any attack.
Over its long history, Carew Castle witnessed many bloody battles and violent attacks as it changed hands multiple times.
Death was a frequent visitor through war, murder, disease, torture and execution. Tragedy also lingered within its walls, from stories of heartbroken women driven mad by grief to betrayals and political intrigue. With such a long legacy of suffering and death, it’s no wonder Carew Castle has inspired tales of hauntings and paranormal encounters.
The Haunted History of Carew Castle
Perched on the banks of the River Carew in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Carew Castle has a long and bloody history stretching back over 500 years. Built in the 13th century by the de Carew family, the castle has passed through many hands over the centuries. As an important military stronghold and border fortress between England and Wales, Carew Castle witnessed vicious battles, violent sieges, and tragic deaths within its walls.
With such a turbulent past, it’s no wonder Carew Castle has become renowned as one of the most haunted castles in Wales. According to local legends and paranormal accounts, several ghosts are said to roam the castle grounds and interior. From heartbroken ladies to headless knights, the spirits refuse to leave the place where their lives were cut short by war, murder, or grief. Ghostly lights, unexplained voices, and strange shadows have all been reported by visitors to the castle after dark.
The most famous ghostly resident of Carew is the Blue Lady, who wanders the castle still searching for her lost love after dying of a broken heart. Another is the headless apparition of Sir Roland de Carew, brutally executed for treason. A weeping woman in white haunts the castle chapel, distraught after being left at the altar. Their tragic tales and gruesome deaths have fuelled centuries of spine-tingling lore.
While the rational mind may dismiss the supernatural, Carew Castle’s 500-year legacy of death and sorrow make it the perfect setting for ghosts. For those who dare to visit after dark, the possibility of encountering the paranormal adds an extra thrill to exploring its magnificent halls and grounds. Carew Castle stands as both an impressive historical monument and the possible home of restless spirits who still walk its corridors today.
The Blue Lady
One of the most famous ghostly residents of Carew Castle is the Blue Lady, who according to local legend still roams the grounds searching for her lost love. Believed to be the spirit of Celia de Carew, the story of her tragic death and endless heartbreak has been passed down through generations.
As the tale goes, Celia fell deeply in love with a man of lower status much to her family’s disapproval. Vowing to be together, he left Carew Castle to make a name for himself so they could marry. However, he never returned. Crisis of war or foul fate unknown kept him from his promise to Celia. Driven mad by grief from her lover’s abandonment, Celia retreated to the upper ramparts of the castle, refusing food and human contact as she waited in vain for his return. She died of a broken heart up on the castle heights, dressed in a blue gown.
To this day, Celia’s forlorn ghost wanders the castle walks and open countryside still dressed in blue, earning her the name “The Blue Lady.” Eyewitness accounts over the centuries claim to have seen her ghostly figure gliding silently along the riverbank or the upper castle walls, her face etched with deep sadness as she searches eternally for her lost love. Some say on quiet nights you can hear her faint sobs as she weeps for her lover who never returned.
While the real identity of the Blue Lady remains a mystery lost to time, her tragic tale of love lost has become intricately woven into the haunting legends of Carew Castle. Her lonely spirit serves as a cautionary reminder of the immense sorrow and madness that heartbreak can bring.
Tide Witch of Carew Castle
According to Welsh folklore, the Tide Witch was an embittered woman with mystical abilities over the seas and tides. Some say she was a princess of the old Celtic tribes. Others claim she was a pagan priestess drowned by rising waters. Her true origins are lost to time. But her fearsome legend lives on in Carew Castle’s tragic fate.
As the story goes, the Tide Witch was wronged by the Lord of Carew Castle centuries ago. Vowing revenge, she placed a terrible curse – one day the tides would rise up and consume the castle and village as punishment for his cruelty. For years after, locals claimed to see her ghostly visage gliding over the waters at night, laying in wait for her bitter promise to come to fruition.
Tales of Terror from the Tide
Over the ages, the superstitious people of the village lived in dread of the Tide Witch’s powers. When the waters swelled higher than normal or strange objects washed in with the tide, she was blamed for meddling with the seas. Lights flickering over the surface late at night were rumored to be the witch waiting to work her watery magic.
In the early 19th century, a vicious storm surge breached Carew Castle’s sea wall defenses. Waterlogged bodies washed ashore, fishermen went missing, and an air of doom hung over the village. They claimed the Tide Witch had awoken once more. Fearing her spirit, Carew Castle was abandoned and left to ruin.
The Curse Fulfilled
In the 1830s, a powerful storm assembled over the Celtic Sea. As waves smashed against the aging seawalls and rain pounded the coast, Carew Castle was powerless against nature’s assault. The swollen River Carew overflowed its banks and joined the oncoming tides. Sea water breached the castle walls just as the Tide Witch had prophesied centuries before.
When at last the storm subsided, much of Carew Castle had collapsed into the sea. Only haunted ruins remained, leaving villagers to wonder if the Tide Witch had finally achieved her revenge…
