Beyond its tangible history, Chepstow is also known for its paranormal residents and unexplained occurrences that have frightened staff and visitors alike for centuries.
Construction began in 1067 under the instruction of William FitzOsbern, Earl of Hereford. The castle saw expansion and fortification over the centuries, serving as an important fortress along the Welsh border.
Beyond its rich history, Chepstow Castle is also renowned for its paranormal residents and unexplained occurrences that have frightened staff and visitors alike for over a hundred years. Though now a tourist attraction, eerie happenings within the castle’s walls hearken back to darker days of siege, war, and imprisonment.
The Ghost of Henry Marten
One of Chepstow Castle’s most famous ghosts is that of Henry Marten, an English lawyer and politician who met an unfortunate end here in the 17th century.
Marten was a Roundhead and one of the judges who signed King Charles I’s death warrant in 1649.
After the Restoration of the Monarchy under Charles II in 1660, Marten was captured and imprisoned at Chepstow Castle to await trial. He was found guilty of regicide for his role in Charles I’s execution and hanged, drawn, and quartered in London in 1662 at the age of 59.
Marten’s tortured spirit is said to still haunt Chepstow Castle today, with reports of his ghost going back over a hundred years. Tales tell of doors abruptly slamming shut, echoed footsteps pacing the stone floors, and shadowy figures lurking in Marten’s former prison room. Some visitors have claimed to see Marten’s ghostly visage peering out of windows or wandering the castle grounds.
Staff at the castle often report feeling an unnerving presence in places associated with Marten. Lights flicker, temperature drops, and objects even move seemingly on their own in these areas. Is this the lawyer’s restless spirit still trapped at the scene of his downfall over 350 years later?
Other Paranormal Activity
In addition to the famous ghost of Henry Marten, staff and visitors have experienced other unexplained paranormal occurrences at Chepstow Castle over the centuries. Strange happenings have been recorded across the expansive castle grounds and within the ruins themselves.
In the Great Hall, cold spots are frequently reported, where the temperature suddenly drops with no apparent cause. Disembodied voices of unknown men and women have also been heard here, along with noises like footsteps when no one else is around. The sounds of revelry and faint music are sometimes detected as well, echoing from a bygone era of feasting and merriment.
Down in the creepy castle cellars, objects have been known to mysteriously move on their own, leaving staff puzzled. It’s easy to imagine ghosts lurking down here in the shadowy chambers that once held prisoners and stores.
In the overgrown grounds, reports abound of shadowy figures seen moving among the trees and disappearing around corners. These could be medieval soldiers still standing guard.
Within the ruins, apparitions dressed in medieval clothing fitting the castle’s era have been witnessed floating through various points by stunned visitors. Records indicate no costumed guides on staff.
The bone-chilling screams of a woman have also been reported at night near the castle, with no source found.
Spine-Tingling Stories from Chepstow’s Past
With its long and often dark history as a medieval fortress, prison, and likely scene of many deaths, it’s no wonder Chepstow Castle is regarded as one of Wales’ most haunted sites. The famous spirit of Henry Marten and other eerie occurrences make this a beloved location for paranormal investigators and ghost walk tours.
Visitors have been captivated by supernatural events here for over a century, from disembodied voices to phantom figures wandering the grounds. The ghost of Marten seems to be the most active presence, with many reporting unnerving phenomena in his former prison room.
While some encounters could be passed off as imagination, the sheer number of chilling stories from staff and tourists alike seems to suggest otherwise. There does appear to be paranormal energy clinging to the stones of Chepstow.
If you’re brave enough, visit the castle grounds and keep an eye out for any spirits from the past still lingering within its spooky walls. Wander through the empty chambers and listen for echoes of the past. But be warned – you never know what you might encounter wandering around after dark at one of Wales’ most haunted sites!
