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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Aberystwyth Ghost Stories & Abertoir Horror Festival at Halloween
Ahead of Halloween (Nos Calan Gaeaf), I paid a rainy October visit to Aberystwyth, and recorded a weird and wonderful vlog that combines Welsh ghost stories, spooky decor and a chat about the world’s finest horror movie festival. More specifically,…
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Scream Time 2026 at Margam Castle: Wales’ Scariest Halloween Event?
I headed to Margam Country Park for the opening night of Scream Time 2026 – Wales’ “scariest” Halloween event, set in one of the country’s “most haunted” castles. Alas, it was absolutely pouring down by the end, but I had…
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Welsh Halloween Folklore: Hwch Ddu Gwta at Nos Calan Gaeaf
Halloween in Wales (Nos Calan Gaeaf) has some spooky old monsters lurking in the old folklore books, but few of these creatures are quite as fearsome – and notorious – as the Hwch Ddu Gwta, the legendary tailless black sow….
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.