Craig y Nos Castle, a prestigious wedding venue on the edge of the Black Mountains, is one of the most haunted castles in Wales and offers accommodation for wedding guests and ghost hunters seeking a spooky bed-and-breakfast stay. The castle and country park sits alongside the upper River Tawe, with several local walks starting directly from your room. It is open to the public year-round with free admission, and has two car parks with free parking for visitors and guests.
A History of Grandeur and Tragedy
According to Haunted Rooms, Craig y Nos Castle was originally built in 1843 by Captain Rice Powell. However, in 1898, the famous opera singer Adelina Patti fell in love with the castle and made it her home. Patti gained worldwide fame due to the exceptional quality of her voice and her ability to perform "vocal gymnastics" effortlessly.
Between tours, she recharged and entertained her many friends at Craig-y-Nos Castle on Brecon Road, according to the venue's website. Patti transformed the property into a luxurious retreat, hosting elite guests such as Henry of Battenberg, the Crown Prince of Sweden, and even Edward VII.
After Patti's death, the castle took a much darker turn and was converted into a tuberculosis hospital and later a care home for the elderly. The castle did not return to private ownership until 1986. With so many lives lost within its walls, the castle is said to be haunted.
Ghostly Encounters and Tours
The most notorious location is what used to be the children's ward, now considered the most paranormally active room. Visitors have reported hearing children's laughter, seeing ghostly figures, and hearing the eerie sound of bouncing balls in the dead of night. Patti is also rumoured to haunt the castle; she was embalmed in the castle's cellar, and people have reported experiencing high-pitched noises and the sensation of objects, such as tables and chairs, moving.
Today, haunting stays and chilling ghost tours are on offer, with members guided through the venue's most haunted rooms. These include the theatre basement, where Adelina Patti once made her stage debut; the children's ward at the end of a long, dark corridor, complete with original light fittings; and the treatment room, once home to tuberculosis patients in the 1920s.
One of the most unnerving elements of the tour is the room of John Mellon, who was said to be an employee of Adelina Patti and suffered an untimely death in a room on the building's top floor. During an episode of Most Haunted, psychic Derek Acorah said he felt as though he was being pushed out of its window.
Staying at the Castle
For those brave enough, there is an opportunity to stay as a guest on a short B&B break, a dog-friendly getaway, or a budget-friendly family holiday. According to its website, the castle has 36 rooms in total, with a bar, kitchen, gym and dining facilities "for the perfect break away".
Most rooms at Craig-y-Nos are en-suite doubles, family rooms or apartments, with two rooms equipped with disabled facilities. A separate block of budget rooms without en-suite facilities is available, comprising nine doubles and one single room. Many rooms feature fine period details, classic florals, and oak.
You can also enjoy dinner in the main dining room, or dine and unwind in the dog-friendly Patti Bar. Craig-y-Nos also offers several Ghost Tour packages for couples, friends, or individuals looking to join other enthusiastic ghost hunters. Celestial Paranormal professionally organises and runs paranormal investigations, carrying out scientific and spiritual experiments throughout the night using investigatory equipment.
