Haunted Tourism

ANY castle that can boast a drowning pit, whipping pit and torture dungeons is, quite frankly, asking to be haunted - not to mention becoming a magnet for tourists too!

Add the execution of a jealous wife who murdered her husband’s lover with an axe and the chance of the place not bursting at the seams with wailing ghosts is practically nil.

It’s not surprising then that Ruthin Castle in North Wales is one of the leading beneficiaries of a new wave of “haunted tourism” sweeping Britain.

Boosted by programs such as Most Haunted – shown on the ironically-titled Living TV channel – ghosts, ghouls, specters and poltergeist which were once politely not talked about are now being heralded in guide books, tours and advertising blurbs.

Even seaside golfing hotspot Porthcawl is getting in on the act.
Bridgend Council has just produced a visitors’ guide book detailing “haunted Porthcawl”.
It turns out the town has an eccentric group of apparitions, ranging from the rather lackluster “ghost of a limping dog” in the Farmers Arms at Nottage to the far more spectacular spectral vision of an entire steam train at the ruined former station near Moor Lane.
The guide book, Ghostly Pubs of Porthcawl, is now available from local tourist information centers and at many of the haunted pubs and places mentioned.
The guide has been put together thanks to the research of local writer Hayley Williams, who has written a book on the haunted history of Porthcawl.
Bridgend Council tourism officer Graham Muschialli said: “With the help of the booklet it is possible to tour all the listed pubs and haunted places and check out the local ‘ghosts’ as well as trying beverages in each of the haunted licensed premises along the way.
“Can you think of a better way to spend an evening?
“The idea has created so much interest that there are plans to perhaps have regular guided walks throughout the season starting with a lecture and walk during the annual Porthcawl Sea Festival.”

A spokeswoman for Visit Wales agreed that haunted tourism was paying big dividends for Wales.
She said: “There are many myths and legends surrounding the castles and historic buildings of Wales and there are numerous ghost tours and haunting tours available.

“As well as being fun activities for everyone if a little scary at times, they also provide information on the history and heritage of Wales.

“Visit Wales recently organized a Haunted Wales tour taking in many castles and stately homes.
“Working with Cadw as well as with tour guides that specialise in haunted areas created a very interesting and spine-tingling experience.”

Wales already has a number of established ghost tours, which include:
Llancaiach Fawr, a semi-fortified mansion house near Caerphilly, said to feature the ghost of King Charles I, phantom children and some “icy entities”.

Creepy Cardiff, a tour of the capital’s “dark side” including the spot (in Cardiff Market, site of the former County Jail) where working class hero Dic Penderyn was hanged and is said to haunt.
Carew Castle, built 1280-1310, said to be haunted by the spirit of an unfortunate woman called Nest who had several children by Norman lords who captured her.

Nanteos Mansion, a Georgian home near Aberystwyth favored by Da Vinci Code enthusiasts as it was said to have once hosted the Nanteos Cup, thought of in some quarters as the Holy Grail, is also claimed to be packed with ghosts.

Skirrid Inn in Monmouthshire, apparently haunted by dozens of victims of the rope-obsessed Judge Jeffries, the original hanging judge.

Groups such as the Ghost Research Foundation International regularly organized paranormal and ghost hunting tours in Wales.
A spokesman said: “These events are having a positive effect on tourism and they also throw up a lot of history so are also very educational.”
Citizens of Denbigh however were not impressed with Most Haunted last year after the program labeled it “the Village of the Damned”.
Denbigh council leader Colin Hughes said at the time: “The whole town was outraged with what the TV company said.
“We agreed to let the film crew in to shoot a few episodes of the Most Haunted show but the producers put a bad slur on the town’s name.