Wales, a land steeped in ancient myths and breathtaking landscapes, holds secrets that continue to baffle and intrigue. From misty mountains to historic towns, countless tales of the unexplained whisper through its valleys. If you love a good mystery, you’re in for a treat! We’re about to explore some of the most chilling and perplexing stories that Wales has to offer. Get ready to discover puzzles that have remained unsolved for years, sometimes even centuries!
10. The UFO of Berwyn Mountains
Our journey into Welsh mysteries begins with a story that feels like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie. Back in 1974, an event in the Berwyn Mountains earned the nickname “Roswelsh,” drawing comparisons to the famous Roswell incident in the USA. Locals saw a brilliant ball of light streak across the sky, followed by a powerful tremor that shook the ground. Some believed it was a UFO crash. Others suggested an unrecorded earthquake, or perhaps a mix of both. Even though official government files were released in 2010, many residents felt the truth was being hidden. Decades later, what truly happened that night in the Berwyn Mountains remains a hotly debated topic.
9. The Sunken Kingdom of Cantre’r Gwaelod
Wales’s coastline, particularly around Cardigan Bay, is rich with legends. One of the most captivating is the tale of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a Welsh Atlantis. This once-prosperous kingdom is said to have been swallowed by the sea due to one man’s carelessness. Legend says Seithenyn, the lock keeper, became too drunk one fateful night and neglected his duties. As a result, the sea gates were breached during a fierce storm, and the entire kingdom was flooded. To this day, people walking the coastal paths claim to see faint outlines of buildings beneath the waves and even hear the ghostly ringing of the kingdom’s bells.
8. Teggie of Llyn Tegid
You’ve likely heard of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. But did you know Wales has its own mysterious lake creature? Hidden in the depths of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake in English) is the legend of Teggie. First reportedly sighted in 1975, Teggie is described as an amphibian-like creature, possibly growing up to an astonishing 12 feet long. While sightings have occurred over the years, much like with Nessie, there’s no concrete proof of Teggie’s existence. It seems these British water myths share a common, elusive nature. Perhaps a visit with a pair of binoculars might reward you with a glimpse of this mystical being.
7. What Happened to Trevaline Evans?
When a shopkeeper posts a “back in two minutes” sign, you expect them to return shortly. But for Trevaline Evans, an antique dealer in Llangollen, those two minutes have stretched into decades. In 1990, she put up such a sign and vanished without a trace. The unsettling part is that Trevaline left her coat and handbag in the shop, suggesting she didn’t plan to be gone for long. Her car was also found parked nearby, untouched. Over 30 years later, the case remains open, and calls for information continue. What happened to Trevaline Evans is a chilling modern mystery.
6. The Hanging Judge of Skirrid Inn
Wales, like much of the UK, has a history filled with conflict and harsh justice. The Skirrid Mountain Inn in Monmouthshire stands as a grim testament to this past. This ancient pub once served as a courtroom presided over by Judge George Jeffreys, a man known for his cruelty and eagerness to send people to the gallows. Following the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 (not 1865 as sometimes mistakenly stated in retellings), he is said to have condemned around 180 rebels. These unfortunate souls were not hanged in the town square but within the pub itself, from a large oak beam that still exists today. It’s a dark tourist spot, rich with spooky history, where visitors might share a pint with the rumored ghosts of the condemned.
5. What Happened to Owain Glyndwr?
Anyone familiar with Welsh history will know the name Owain Glyndwr, the last native Prince of Wales. He was a national hero who led a major revolt against English rule in the early 1400s. Despite initial successes, his forces were eventually defeated by King Henry IV of England. After his defeat around 1409, Glyndwr disappeared. While his family members were captured, Owain himself evaded the English, protected by loyal followers. The last confirmed sighting of him was around 1412. The great mystery is what became of him. Where did he spend his final years? Where was he buried? How did he die? His fate remains one of Wales’s most enduring historical puzzles.
4. The Disappearance of Richey Edwards
One of the most prominent mysteries in recent Welsh history is the disappearance of Richey Edwards, guitarist and lyricist for the iconic Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. Edwards was a rising star, known for his intense lyrics and persona. In February 1995, on the eve of a promotional tour to America, he vanished. He was due to fly out of London with his bandmate James Dean Bradfield, but instead, Edwards drove from his London hotel to his apartment in Cardiff, Wales. His car was later found abandoned near the Severn Bridge. Many speculated he took his own life by jumping from the bridge, but no body was ever recovered, and numerous unconfirmed sightings were reported for years. His disappearance remains an unsolved and poignant mystery.
3. The Mystery Life of Violet Charlesworth
Con artists are certainly captivating figures, and Violet Charlesworth from Rhyl, North Wales, was a master of deception in her time. At the young age of 24, in the early 20th century, Charlesworth orchestrated an elaborate scheme, even faking her own death after swindling several wealthy men. She posed as the goddaughter of General Gordon of Khartoum and claimed to be the heir to a £100,000 fortune, using this tale to lure in her victims. Known for her lavish lifestyle, her web of deceit eventually unraveled. Violet and her mother were caught and sentenced to five years of hard labor, later reduced to three. After their release from prison, both women vanished completely. Given their talent for deception, they could have assumed new identities anywhere. Her story is like a real-life tale from a gripping documentary.
2. Is Ynys Enlli the Site of Avalon?
Arthurian legends are deeply woven into the fabric of Welsh mythology. One of the most famous elements is Avalon, the mystical island, a place between worlds. Scholars and enthusiasts have long tried to link these legends to real locations, and a leading theory suggests that Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), off the Llyn Peninsula, could be the legendary Avalon. Some even propose it as the final resting place of King Arthur or Merlin. This island already holds a profound spiritual significance. It was a major pilgrimage site in the 6th century, so important that some believed three pilgrimages to Bardsey were spiritually equivalent to one to Rome. It’s said that over 20,000 saints are buried there, imbuing the island with supernatural qualities. A boat trip to this legendary spot might offer an encounter with the island’s ancient, mystical atmosphere.
1. The Haunting of Plas Teg
Often, the most chilling ghost stories are born from tales of tragic romance. Plas Teg, a striking Jacobean mansion located near the A541 in North Wales, is renowned for its beauty and its deeply spooky history. The most famous legend centers on Dorothy, the daughter of Sir John Trevor I. She fell in love with a local farmer’s son, a match her father strongly disapproved of. Dorothy planned to elope with her beloved. To fund their new life together, she secretly buried her valuable jewels in the grounds of Plas Teg, intending to retrieve them later. Tragedy struck when, under the cloak of darkness, she went to unearth her treasure but accidentally fell into a well and drowned. Visitors to Plas Teg still report seeing the sorrowful ghost of a young woman in a white dress, believed to be Dorothy, wandering the grounds, forever searching for her lost jewels and her lost love. Will you be the one to spot her on your visit?
Wales is undoubtedly a land rich in mystery and folklore. These ten tales offer just a glimpse into the eerie and unexplained events that color its history. From possible alien encounters to tragic ghostly figures, these puzzles continue to fascinate and spook us in equal measure.
Which of these Welsh mysteries sends the most shivers down your spine? Do you know of any other spooky Welsh tales? Leave your comment below and share your thoughts!
