Halloween brings Swansea Bay’s haunted past into the spotlight…but you don’t have to look too far for a spooky story!
The Old Rectory, owned by the National Trust.is situated at Rhossili Bay (Britain’s Best Beach, according to Trip Advisor users!) is said to be haunted. A reverend and his wife reported seeing a couple dressed in Edwardian clothes after hearing them descend the stairs.
Another reverend, John Ponsonby Lucas was once responsible for parishioners in both Rhossili and Llangennith, and used to travel between his parishes on his horse, across Rhossili beach. It is said that you can still see him on his ghostly horse, doing just that. The beach is also believed to be haunted by Squire Mansell and his coach. He is, reportedly, looking for gold that he believed was buried somewhere in the sands.
Pennard Castle is perched above Three Cliffs Bay. It’s said to be haunted and cursed. It is believed that anyone who stays the night there will become insane, after encountering the woman who committed suicide after avenging the death of her lover!
There are many haunted tales of Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower including The Demon Husband of Gower, The Loud Lady at Bishopston, the Knight in Shining Armour at Arthur’s Stone, the Sea Horse at Fall Bay and the White Lady of Llangennith. Whether you’re a believer or not, the spooky tales will fascinate even the most cynical amongst us!
There’s a lot happening here in Swansea Bay this Halloween. Read on if you dare…
Take the little ones to Plantasia where they can get up close and personal with the creepy crawlies! There will be 4 shows a day between 27th and 29th November. But don’t forget to book your tickets! Or enjoy Halloween Spook night at Plantasia, between 30th October and 1st November 2014 at 5:30pm. Dress up in your spookiest costume and venture through the creepy cobwebbed forest after dark. Come across creepy crawlies, ghosts, ghouls and join in the spooktastic fun.
And if that doesn’t put the shivers up you, there are lots of other Halloween Events taking place in Swansea Bay, including a Spooktacular at Oystermouth Castle. There are two events at the Castle on Friday 31st October, the first at 2-4pm for mini monsters aged 3 – 7 yrs and one at 5 – 7pm for daring devils aged 7 – 11 yrs. Enjoy creepy crafts, gory games (prizes to be won!) and ghastly ghost stories. And see if you can catch a glimpse of the White Lady, the castle’s most famous ghost.
There’s also two Halloween Craft Workshops at Swansea Museum on Halloween, between 10am – 12 noon and 1pm – 4pm. This is a free event, so no need to book!
The history of Halloween is sometimes lost as we look annually towards this frightful and spooktastic event; with much focus being placed around scary costumes, dressing up, and carving pumpkins. Halloween is also known as All Hallows’ Day which is a day for remembering the dead, influenced by Celtic harvest festivals with Pagan Roots. Traditional celebrations generally focus around trick or treating, pumpkin carving, decorating and dressing up. This Halloween workshop is a great opportunity for all you crafty devils out there, make some spooky decorations, ghostly drawings, and pumpkin pictures.
Fancy taking the Ghost Train along the Prom? On 30th and 31st October, the Halloween Ghost Train will be making its spooky way down Swansea Prom. Ghosts, goblins and witches of any age can enjoy the popular return journey from Southend Gardens to Blackpill Lido. The train will leave Southend Gardens at: 4.45pm, 5.30pm, 6.15pm and 7pm – hop aboard – but don’t forget to book!
Check out the Halloween Parties at Gower Heritage Centre (book your tickets now!) Enjoy a Halloween party night with lots of spooky goings-on including a spooky disco, screaming competitions, fancy dress competitions for adults and children, dancing competitions, pumpkin carving, bat hunts and story-telling. Parties are taking places on Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st October, 6pm – 9pm.
Happy Halloween!!
