Welcome to the online home of Mark Rees
Cultural Historian • Author • Speaker
“Mark Rees is arguably Wales’ leading authority on the curious and paranormal aspects of the country’s history”
– Western Mail
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Ghosts, Demons & Underground Churches: Exploring Saint-Émilion ⛪🇫🇷
During my recent cruise gig to France, I was lucky enough to go on a cultural adventure in Saint-Émilion, a medieval town I’ve talked about in lectures for years but had never actually visited. Famous for its wine – like…
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Welsh Death Omens: Ghost Dogs, Phantom Birds & Strange Warnings
What do you do when phantom hounds howl outside your home? What does it mean when a bird appears at the window? And are Wales’s – and England’s – death omens mere superstition… or something more? In this episode of…
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The Adventures of a Cruise Ship Speaker: Life as an Art Historian at Sea
I kicked off 2026 with an exciting new sideline: travelling the world as a cruise ship speaker. To say it’s been an adventure – a cultural adventure, even – would be an understatement. I’ve been lucky enough to set foot…
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.