The Vampire of Monmouth
Monmouth Cemetery has been the site of a rather unusual paranormal sighting. In 1980 a driver claimed to have seen a cloaked figure standing next to the cemetery. The story made the press a few days later but at the time no one knew the identity of the mysterious figure. It wasn't until 38 years later that the truth came to light. Dave Vanian, lead singer of The Damned, confessed to being the one who had been spotted that night. He had been out for a late night walk after recording at Rockfield Studios, dressed in his black cloak.
This sighting took place in 1980 and was widely reported in the press at the time. What's interesting is that it was only years later that the true identity of the figure was revealed. Dave Vanian, a well-known figure in the music industry, had been walking through the cemetery after a late night recording session. His black cloak, which was likely a fashion statement, was misinterpreted as a sign of something more sinister. The story highlights how easily misinformation can spread and how sometimes the truth can be far more mundane than we expect.
The Damned were recording at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth in 1980
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Woman in the Corner
Royal Public House, Barry
The Royal Public House in Barry, Wales, has a reputation for being haunted by a female figure. This ghostly apparition has been spotted on multiple occasions, with one of the most recent sightings taking place in the men's toilets. The woman is said to be standing by the wall, a fleeting glimpse of a presence that seems to vanish as quickly as she appears. While details about her identity and the circumstances of her haunting remain a mystery, her presence has become an integral part of the pub's folklore.
Monmouth Black Haired Phantom
Road toward England, Monmouth
On a stretch of road near Monmouth, heading toward England, a rather unsettling encounter took place in late 2003. The driver of a coach, travelling at around 02:00h, spotted a woman dressed in black with long hair on the hillside to their left. She quickly descended and appeared to walk straight into the vehicle's path. The driver's colleague, sitting by the door, was convinced they'd hit her, and the driver stopped the coach, shaken. They disembarked, expecting to find a body, but there was nothing.
Theatre Ghost Fred
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth is home to a rather unusual resident - an entity nicknamed Fred. This theatre, like many others, has its share of ghostly tales but Fred seems to be a particularly intriguing character. Although there's no concrete evidence on when Fred's haunting began, it's clear that theatre-goers and staff have had some rather unsettling experiences. Imagine being in a grand theatre, waiting for a show to start, when you catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye. That's what some people have reported here.
The Phantom of Shire Hall
Shire Hall Court, Monmouth
Shire Hall Court in Monmouth has a reputation for being one of the most haunted buildings in Wales. A caretaker reported a strange sighting in 2006, where he saw a black cloak and the bottom of a pair of legs disappear behind a pillar. He investigated further but found no one in the area. This eerie encounter was just the beginning, as others have reported doors closing by themselves and the scent of perfume wafting through the air.
Monmouth Bright Light Encounter
Monnow Street, Monmouth
Monnow Street in Monmouth is home to a rather bizarre and unexplained encounter that took place in the early hours of the morning, likely in the early twentieth century. A man walking home heard what sounded like a horse slowly following him. As the sounds drew alongside him, the man was suddenly blinded by bright lights which overtook him, vanishing into a nearby closed garage. The whole experience must have been quite terrifying for the witness, especially given the eerie and deserted nature of the street at that time of day.
Monmouth Horse Echoes
Monnow Street, Monmouth
Monnow Street in Monmouth is home to the historic Chippenham House, an area steeped in paranormal activity. One of the most intriguing phenomena reported here is the unexplained sound of a horse trotting, echoing through the streets. The reason behind these eerie sounds remains a mystery, leaving residents and visitors alike to wonder about the origins of this ghostly equine presence. The horse's rhythmic hoofbeats have been described as a strange and unsettling experience, especially when heard in the still of the night.