Spooky Buildings in Carmarthen

October 31st

Carmarthen, one of Wales' oldest and most storied towns, is steeped in both history and the supernatural.  With roots tracing back to Roman times, it’s no wonder that Carmarthen is home to numerous tales of haunted buildings, where echoes of the past seem to linger in the present.

Carmarthen Castle and County Hall stand on the site of the old Carmarthen jail, apparently a hotspot for ghostly activity.  Once a place of punishment and imprisonment, it’s not hard to imagine that the jail could be haunted.  Visitors have described hearing moans and cries in the night, and some claim to have seen fleeting figures of former prisoners in the shadows.  The Local Authority is looking to lift the heavy veil of ivy which hangs over the Castle and welcome new visitors to the Castle – hopefully none will be scared away by the stories of its gory past.

One of the town’s most notorious haunted sites is the Guildhall, an imposing Georgian building that has stood at the heart of Carmarthen since 1767.  Over the years, staff and visitors have reported strange occurrences, including the sound of disembodied footsteps echoing through the halls. Some have claimed to see shadowy figures moving through the building, particularly in the old courtroom where many trials and sentencing for executions once took place.  The Guildhall is now a thriving café but the Grade I Listed building still retains its historic courtroom on the first floor which can be viewed with or without its spectres.

Oriel Myrddin, now a contemporary art gallery, is another location with a haunted reputation. Once an Art School (the first in Wales), the building has a history stretching back over a century.  Local legends tell of a female apparition, often seen gliding silently through the old rooms. Staff and visitors have also reported a distinct chill in certain areas, and the unsettling feeling of being watched, especially after dark.  The Local Authority is currently working on a project to extend the Grade II Listed gallery and expand its reach, aiming to draw people into the town centre to savour its history and culture.

Carmarthen’s rich history is woven with myth and legend, and the town’s haunted buildings serve as reminders that the past is never far away.  Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories of Carmarthen’s haunted sites continue to capture the imagination of locals and visitors, adding a layer of mystery to this ancient town.