Candleston Castle, South Wales
Candleston Castle lies in ruins, having been engulfed by the thick vegetation, which now wildly surrounds and covers the remaining structure. It was constructed sometime in the mid 1300s and has a history shrouded by legend and mystery.
Candleston Castle was actually a fortified manor and is thought to have been named after the Cantilipe family who may have been the first to occupy the building, though records dating that far back are scarce. This family occupied Candleston Castle for many years. Though it passed through many other prominent families in the following centuries who continues to build onto and alter the original structure of the building.
The shifting of the nearby Merthyr Mawr sand dunes sealed the castle’s doomed fate. This caused it’s value to drop as the land’s agricultural purposes were wrecked. After the last occupant of the castle, who was a farm hand in the early 19th century, Candleston Castle was officially abandoned. It began to crumble, decay and become an overgrown ruin, reclaimed by its surrounding woodlands.
Today, Candleston Castle continues to exist as a shell of its once glorious self. The sinister and creepy aura given off by this ruin is one that is well spoken of in the local community. Many believe that the castle and its surroundings are one of the most haunted places on South Wales, and its ghostly legends attest to this.
Haunted Legends From Candleston Castle
The most famous ghostly legend to come out of Candleston Castle is that of the Goblin Stone. The origins of this stone are unknown but are believed to be related to the nearby town of Treganlaw, which mysteriously disappeared from existence leaving just small traces behind. Most people believe that the nearby sand dunes engulfed the town, where as some think that the supernatural might have been at play. In any case, it is told that anyone who is unfortunate enough to stumble across the Goblin Stone will be forced to their knees, by some form of ghost or spirit, to assume a praying position. Their only hope of release after this is to actually begin to pray.
Additional paranormal occurrences at Candleston Castle and in its near vicinity are frequent. Orbs and light anomalies have been captured on camera and sighted by countless witnesses. Many more have seen sinister looking shadow figures lurking within the castle ruins or the nearby woods late at night. It is though that these shadows could be the lost souls of former Treganlaw residents or those who once lived within Candleston Castle.
Visiting The Haunted Candleston Castle
Candlestone Castle today sits in ruin but is easily accessible to brave visitors. It rests just southwest of Merthyr Mawr and is surrounded by nature hikes through sand dunes that stretch to the beach. Parking is a small fee payable at the posted parking meters but castle access is free.
The castle is in a severe state of deterioration and isn’t overly maintained. Take care when visiting and be sure to show the ruin respect.
If you are looking for other haunted castles in the United Kingdom, I highly recommend reading up on the Tower of London’s ghost stories.
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Posted by Sonia on July 22, 2018
OMG spooky as hell, definitely something out there
Posted by Amy on July 23, 2018
Thanks for watching. There was definitely something out there.
Posted by martin on July 21, 2019
love this one not far away from me going to go and have a look around love you any keep posting x
Posted by Amy on July 22, 2019
Thanks, Martin! It is an amazing place, I hope you enjoy your visit. So cool to have somewhere like this close by. Cheers.
Posted by Nadine on July 3, 2020
I just saw a youtube video about Candleston Castle, that’s why I then found your homepage and video about it. I literally cried when I saw the castle, I really can’t describe what I felt in that moment. Like when you find something you lost a long time ago. It’s wired, I know. Still don’t know were to put this feelings.
Lovely greetings from Germany, Nadine!
Posted by Amy on July 5, 2020
Thanks for the comment, Nadine. It is so cool to hear how you found my website and to know you have such a strong feeling of connection to Candleston Castle. I hope one day you are able to visit for yourself.
Posted by Jude on August 11, 2020
I was born and raised there it is much worse than one could imagine the whole area and its people are cursed with supernatural phenomena. My mother still lives there and is plagued buy constant whaling at night. Look at the Bridgend suicide curse to get an idea of the horror kind regards J.
Posted by Amy on August 14, 2020
Thanks for sharing Jude, great to hear from a local. This sounds very intense.
Posted by Luis on April 28, 2021
Hi Amy!
Great article, I visited yesterday evening and enjoyed. It was still daylight and I didn’t find anything unusual. I wonder if I visited at night it will be more interesting in terms of finding something unusual?
Thanks.
Posted by Amy on April 30, 2021
Thanks for sharing, Luis. I hope to return again someday.
Posted by Loki on September 14, 2022
I live not far away, even in the daytimes, it’s creepy, you feel like you’re being watched and sometimes, the whole place feels quite malevolent! You could not pay me enough money to go visit it after dark, I wouldn’t go within miles of the place. You’re very brave to have done this. .