Mark Rees
Author • Journalist • Cultural Historian exploring art history, folklore and the Gothic.
“Mark Rees is arguably Wales’ leading authority on the curious and paranormal aspects of the country’s history”
– Western Mail
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Books
10+ published books on history & folklore
Speaking
Universities • Cruise Ships • Libraries • Museums
Documentaries
Host and guest expert: BBC • S4C • Paranormal Unpacked
Podcast
Ghosts & Folklore of Wales (est. 2020)
Latest Updates
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Haunted Hills of Monmouthshire: White Ladies & Death Omens
Did a ghost haunt the grounds of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant? Why was a man in a top hat seen walking a Monmouthshire hillside? Can a thorn bush really be haunted? And who was the Woman in White said to…
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Hidden Holy Well in Wales | Llandeilo Literature Festival, Folk Horror & Welsh Folklore
Earlier this year, I headed to the Llandeilo Literature Festival to talk about Welsh ghosts, folklore and witches… and ended up having a cultural adventure, wandering between graves in search of a holy well where pilgrims used to drink holy…
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A Swansea Ghost Story: The Haunted Café in Sketty
On a recent Paranormal Unpacked filming day in Swansea, my good friend and co-presenter Steve Balsamo recalled some strange and spooky experiences from his time helping at a former antiques shop and café in Sketty with a reputation for being…
Mark Rees is currently researching the history of Halloween in Britain and Ireland and is available for media interviews, festival appearances and feature commissions throughout the 2026 Halloween season.
Books by Mark Rees
Mark is the author of more than ten non-fiction titles exploring Welsh history, folklore and culture, including the bestselling Ghosts of Wales series.
His books cover everything from “most haunted” castles to legendary figures, blending historical research with local storytelling to preserve and share the darker, more magical side of Wales’s past.
Titles like Paranormal Wales and Illustrated Tales of Wales are available from all major bookshops and online retailers (including Waterstones, where this very smiley photo was taken!).
Read more in the books section ↗
About Mark
Mark Rees is a Welsh author, journalist and cultural historian who specialises in the rich heritage of Wales - from its art and architecture to its folklore, myths and haunted landmarks.
Exploring the weird and wonderful, he also speaks and lectures internationally on European art history and his personal passion for the Gothic. A recognised authority on folklore and the uncanny, Mark is especially in demand around Halloween (spooky season is busy season!).
As a former Arts Editor with over two decades of experience in the media, Mark brings both depth and accessibility to his storytelling. His work bridges the academic and the atmospheric, whether discussing opera and oil paintings or sublime ruins and ghost stories.
Mark Rees is a regular voice on radio and TV, including the BBC, and a sought-after guest speaker at public events and festivals across the UK. He also gives lectures internationally on cruise ships, on-location cultural tours and at universities.
He is currently researching a PhD in Gothic visual culture, co-hosting the documentary series Paranormal Unpacked, and putting the finishing touches to two “dark” new books.