Cardiff Castle haunted tales aren’t limited to just the Marquess and Marchioness. All manner of ghouls and spirits appear to dwell within its walls based on the terrifying accounts of eyewitnesses.
The Haunted History of Cardiff Castle
The most infamous phantoms lurking within Cardiff Castle‘s walls are the Second Marquess of Bute, John Crichton-Stuart, and his wife Lady Sophia Rawdon-Hastings. Lord Bute inherited the castle in 1848 and transformed the site into the lavish Gothic Revival mansion seen today. He and his wife spent much time at Cardiff Castle before their deaths in 1900 and 1917 respectively.
According to local legend, the couple never truly left their beloved home. Eerie apparitions fitting their descriptions have frequently been sighted across the castle grounds. The late Marquess is said to haunt the library, while the Marchioness Sophia prefers the Nursery and other rooms that were hers. Their ghostly forms have startled many unsuspecting visitors and staff members over the decades.
Disembodied voices, strange sounds, and poltergeist activity have also been attributed to the presence of the Marquess and Marchioness. The lord and lady seem to linger at Cardiff Castle even in death.
The Ghostly Sightings
Staff members and tourists visiting the Cardiff Castle grounds have reported experiencing a wide range of unexplained phenomena:
- The ghostly figure of a woman in Victorian dress floating through the hallway
- Disembodied whimpering and cries of an infant heard in the Nursery
- Sudden temperature drops and odd breezes felt, even on hot days
- Strange lights and orbs spotted on security cameras late at night
- Doors and windows inexplicably slamming shut despite no drafts
- Flickering lights and electrical disturbances, especially in the chapel
- Phantom footsteps echoing from empty rooms and passageways
- Furniture and other objects eerily moving on their own
Many claim the creepy events tend to spike at night after the castle is closed and seemingly deserted. Those brave enough have witnessed first hand that Cardiff Castle comes alive after dark with paranormal phenomena. The underlying question is – who or what is causing it?
Things That Go Bump in the Night
Nighttime at Cardiff Castle is when the site’s supernatural forces seem most active. Once the last visitors have departed and darkness falls over the grounds, an entirely different realm awakens.
The castle’s labyrinth of rooms and corridors become the playground for restless spirits. Phantom footsteps, eerie whispers, and faint screams resonate through the night. Many report hearing their name called in an unseen voice or feeling an icy breath on the back of their neck.
The hauntings appear concentrated in key areas of the castle that were important when still inhabited by the living:
- The Library – Believed to be a favourite spot of the late Marquess, strange sounds and shadowy figures spotted here.
- The Chapel – Creaking wooden pews, organ music playing on its own, and white mist seen rising over the altar.
- The Tunnels – Networks of underground passages where ghostly soldiers have been witnessed marching.
- The Nursery – Childlike giggles, the rocking of empty cribs, and impressions left on the beds.
These paranormal hotspots and others lead many to avoid Cardiff Castle at night entirely. For when darkness falls, the dead come out to continue living at the castle as they did ages ago.
Psychics Weigh In
The reports of ghosts and paranormal phenomena at Cardiff Castle have piqued the interest of psychic mediums over the years. Several reputable psychics who have visited the castle claim to have communicated with the resident spirits haunting the grounds.
Some of the ghosts they have allegedly encountered include:
| Ghost | Background | Spotted |
|---|---|---|
| Second Marquess of Bute | Original owner of the castle in the 19th century | Wandering the library and his old bedroom |
| Lady Sophia Rawdon-Hastings | Wife of the Marquess | Rocking in a chair in the Nursery |
| Roman Soldier | Dating back to the castle’s origin as a fort | Marching in the tunnels beneath the castle |
| Medieval Girl | Who lived at the castle centuries ago | Playing in the castle courtyard |
The psychics assert these spirits and more still dwell at the castle, trapped between this world and the next. Many seem unaware they have passed on and continue acting as they did when alive. The psychics warn visiting Cardiff Castle could result in a supernatural encounter.
Visiting the Haunted Castle
Despite its ghostly reputation, Cardiff Castle remains a popular tourist attraction that welcomes thousands of visitors each year.
While not guaranteed, visitors to Cardiff Castle may experience supernatural encounters like ghost sightings, temperature changes, and unexplained noises. Venturing into hotspots like the library and tunnels boost the chances. For the brave and curious, Cardiff Castle offers a thrilling possibility of ghosts and ghouls!
