Goat's Hole Cave (often referred to as Paviland Cave) is one of the limestone caves between Port Eynon and Rhossili. In January 1823, Rev. William Buckland undertook an an archaeological dig at Goat's Hole Cave. There Buckland believed he discovered the remains to be those of a female dating from the Roman period. Later analysis, however, showed the remains to have been of a young male. Archaelogists state that Goat's Hole was occupied repeatedly throughout prehistory.
Local lore states that the area has been haunted for a considerable time. The apparition of the Red Lady of Paviland is said to have been a woman imprisoned in the cave by a storm, whilst she was seeking for treasure and has now returned to haunt the place in death. The stories were given some credence following the discovery of a red-ochre stained skeleton in the caves by Buckland. However, later scientific study found the skeleton to belong to a male! Radiocarbon dating shows the skeleton to be around 29,000 years old.
Pictured left is Paviland Cave courtesy of Jeremy Bolwell.
Co-ordinates:
51°32'59.7"N 4°15'19.9"W. approx
For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe.