In 1899, the quiet town of Burry Port was gripped by the mysterious tale of a ghostly pianist, whose eerie tunes captivated both believers and sceptics alike
As the 20th century approached, Britain was awash with tales of the paranormal, offering both distraction and intrigue during times of rapid change.
In March 1899, one such eerie tale unfolded in Burry Port, a quiet coastal town in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
The local press, particularly the South Wales Daily Post, was captivated by what became known as the Burry Port Ghost, a spectral being with a fondness for piano playing and mischief.
A Ghost in Burry View
The haunting centred on Mrs Phillips, a resident of Burry View, who found herself at the heart of the supernatural drama.
According to her, the disturbances began with the sound of furniture moving in the night, followed by the eerie strains of a piano.
Mrs Phillips described the ghost as a bold, heavy-footed presence, unlike any quiet spirit. “It wasn’t like anybody practising,” she said, referring to the unearthly music. “it was lovely, everything was finished and perfect.”
Even her sceptical husband was unsettled, declaring that the ghost “ran his fingers over the keys and played… a beautiful tune.”
This musical ghost appeared to be growing in confidence, as Mrs Phillips had allegedly experienced its presence for nine months, though it had never touched the piano before.
To add to the mystery, the ghost reportedly walked through the house at night, even frightening the family’s children.
“He opened the little window at the top of the stairs and jumped down onto the landing,” she recalled, “making a big noise, and afterwards walking about quite bold-like.”
Despite the fear gripping the household, there was an almost absurd normality to their encounters with the spirit.
The Phillips family would investigate the disturbances, check the locks, and even position chairs behind doors in an effort to trap the ghost, all to no avail. The ghost, it seemed, was a regular, if unwanted, guest.
Folklore and Scepticism
While Mrs Phillips was unwavering in her claims, not everyone in Burry Port believed in the ghost.
Landlord Mr David John Badger, in particular, was outraged by the rumours, which he feared could tarnish the reputation of his property.
In a frustrated letter to the local paper, he dismissed the tale as “trivial nonsense”, demanding that the matter be resolved to avoid devaluing the house.
Moreover, a previous tenant, Mrs Thomas, refuted any suggestion of a haunting, stating that her family had never experienced anything unusual during their time there.
Yet, for every sceptical voice, there were witnesses who fuelled the lore. Some claimed to have spotted the ghost not in the house, but at a nearby location known as the Copper Works Tip.
The spectral figure was said to have been seen “enveloped in foam,” a vision so bizarre it was hard to dismiss outright.
These sightings only deepened the town’s fascination, as the ghost became as much a part of Burry Port as the copper works themselves.
The Spirit’s Last Song
While Mrs Phillips’ vivid accounts of ghostly music and paranormal disturbances created a media sensation, not everyone believed in a supernatural explanation.
A group of young men offered to stay at the house one night, but Mrs Phillips declined, suggesting the ghost would simply vanish if anyone tried to catch it.
In a humorous twist, some locals even speculated that the “beautiful” piano music might have been inspired by something more mundane—a spirit of a different kind, possibly linked to Burry Port’s reputation for strong drink.
By the end of March 1899, the ghost had reportedly vacated the Phillips’ home, perhaps driven away by the town’s spring cleaning efforts.
Its new haunt at the Copper Works Tip was short-lived, however, as a well-aimed brick, thrown by a local sceptic, was said to have finally “laid” the ghost to rest.
Though the story faded, the tale of the Burry Port Ghost remains a fascinating example of how folklore and superstition can grip a community.
Whether a case of overactive imaginations or something more, the events of 1899 serve as a reminder that not all mysteries can be easily explained.
And as for the ghostly pianist? Perhaps it still lingers somewhere, waiting to play its next tune.
What do you think of the Burry Port Ghost? Tell us in the comments section below!
