Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Category: Fairies

Fairies / Folklore / Roman

Hardknott Roman Fort (Mediobogdvm)

The Roman Fort of Mediobogdvm, above Hardknott Pass, is said to hold a fairy rath where King Eveling holds his court. Hardnott Pass can be found at the end of the Eskdale Valley and is also one of the steepest roads in Cumbria.

Ancient Sites / Fairies / Folklore / Stone Circles

Elva Hill

Elva Hill is known as a fairy hill and the name may be derived from an old Viking name meaning place of the elves. A stone circle on its slope suggests ancient ritual use of the area, only 15 stones of the original 30 remain. The circle is on private land belonging to Elva Farm, but there is a nearby footpath. The site is thought to date from Neolithic times.

Fairies / Folklore

The Beetham Fairy Steps

The fairy steps, West of the church are steps cut into the limestone rock. If you can climb them without touching either side you will be granted a wish by the fairies.

Directions: Reached from a footpath through woodland to the South West of Beetham and South East of Storth.

Ancient Sites / Early Christianity / English Fairies

Irton Cross and Church

There are two Celtic Crosses in Irton Churchyard, one is truly ancient and the other is a copy of the former incorporated into more modern grave. The ancient cross is thought to date from the early ninth century, before the Norsemen invaded the area.

English Fairies / Fairies / Folklore / Hauntings

Willy Wilcock’s Hole

Willy Wilcock’s Hole is a cave said to be haunted by a fisherman of the same name who was transported to the fairy kingdom. He is still searching his way home after all this time. On wild nights his cries can be heard mingling in the wind.

Fairies / Folklore / Legends / Mermaids

Zennor Church

Zennor Church is the home of the Zennor Mermaid, depicted in carvings in Zennor Church. According to legend, Mathew Trewella was a squire’s son who was a gifted singer. One day he was singing by the shore so sweetly that a mermaid was compelled out of the water. Mathew succumbed to her otherworldly charms and was lost forever.

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English Fairies / Fairies / Folklore

The Piskies of Cornwall

There are a number of creatures particular to Cornish folklore, although their cousins can be found elsewhere in Britain under a different name and guise. One of these strains is the Piskie also known as a Pixie in other West Country counties.

The Piskie is a general name for a fairy race or tribe in Cornwall.

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English Fairies / Fairies / Folklore

The Knockers

In many old established mining areas throughout the world, there was a
long tradition of mine spirits, in Cornwall these were known as the
Knockers. They frequented the tin mines that formed much of local
economy in 18th and 19th century Cornwall. Knockers was not the only
name given to mine spirits others being Knackers, Buccas, and Spriggans

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English Fairies / Fairies / Folklore

The Spriggans

Spriggans is the name given to a family of fairies in Cornish folklore, they are the closely related to the Piskies, but were generally believed to be darker and more dangerous than their mischievous cousins. Whereas Piskies are generally described as being cheerful and fun loving, Spriggans are more spiteful and full of malice, directed at humans in the form of evil tricks.