The Faerie Folk - Folklore, Myths and Legends from the U.K
The Faerie Folk 34 episodes Jun 1, 2026
The Faerie Folk is a travel, folklore and storytelling podcast exploring myths and legends from across the United Kingdom. Each episode retells a local folktale, discusses its origins and history, and offers travel tips for visiting the places connected to the stories. The show uses immersive soundscapes and friendly narration to bring the UK's magical locations and cultural heritage to life. It is aimed at both newcomers to British folklore and longtime fans who enjoy hearing familiar tales retold.
Episodes
Hertfordshire: The 'Wicked Lady' Highwaywoman
Stand and deliver! Today's episode explores the legend of 'The Wicked Lady Ferrers', a swashbuckling tale from the English county of Hertfordshire. (Virtually) travel with us to the old Markyate Cell estate, an impressive country house close by to the once infamous Nomansland Common, said to be the haunt of highwaymen. And who was Lady Katherine Ferrers, the woman at the centre of this legend? Is
Bristol: The Legend of the Crocodile
"On the morning of the third of February 2014, a bus driver travelling alongside the River Avon spotted something strange - swimming beneath Bedminster Bridge was something remarkable… a crocodile." In today's episode of The Faerie Folk podcast, we're on the hunt of an illusive Urban Legend - the infamous Bristol Crocodile, one of the most contemporary tales we've explored on the podcast. So hold
Herefordshire: The Faeries' Dancing Gate
In this episode we're reuniting with the faeries as we travel to Herefordshire to learn about the mischievous young girl who was lured into joining a perpetual faerie dance. Today our audio adventure takes us to Kington in Herefordshire where we dive head-first into a dramatic retelling of the Faeries' Dancing Gate, adapted from the folktale collected by Ella Mary Leather in her book, The Folk-lo
Folktales of the Sea: Storytelling Collection
Welcome to 'Folktales of the Sea' The Faerie Folk's very first storytelling collection, featuring a selection of my favourite folktales from across the podcast, all connected by their oceanic settings. I will introduce each of today's stories by their title and place of origin, including the version of the story I've based mine on, but without the usual history section of the podcast, so yo
Welcome to The Faerie Folk: Trailer
Welcome to The Faerie Folk podcast - the audio tour that takes you across the United Kingdom, stopping off at all the magical and mystical places along the way. Join me, your resident myths and legends lover and enjoy brand new retellings of classic folktales, accompanied by immersive soundscapes that take you right into the heart of these traditional tales. Sail across the sea to meet lovesick m
Kent: The Ghost Ship Lady Lovibond
We're sailing into spooky season this month with a ghoulish ghost story! Meet The Lady Lovibond, the ghost ship said to haunt the Goodwin Sands off the coast of Deal in Kent, appearing every 50 years - doomed to re-create her tragic fate. In today's episode we take a virtual trip to the seaside and dive head-first into the world of this legendary ghost story. Enjoy an atmospheric retelling of the
London: Spring-heeled Jack and Friends
All aboard! The podcast is back with a brand new episode, taking you on a magical, mystery tour across England's capital city, London. Learn all about the infamous Spring-heeled Jack, the city's many haunted pubs and weird but fascinating urban legends. This episode is as immersive as you can get, in the style of a London bus tour! You won't be alone on your journey however, as some brilliant f
Scotland: The Mermaid of Knockdolian
Today I'm taking you all on a brand new journey up to South Ayrshire in Scotland, to discover a lesser-known, but fascinating folktale, starring a vengeful mermaid and a devastating curse that would last a lifetime. cw: babyloss There's more folklore, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why not join us on: Threads: thefaerie_folk Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefaerie_folk/
Berkshire: The Legend of Herne the Hunter
Have you heard of Herne the Hunter? The spirit of Windsor Great Park is one of English folklore's most famous figures and in today's extra long episode, we travel to the county of Berkshire to learn all about Herne's mystical origins and consider why his legend has stood the test of time. cw: suicide, animal hunting There's more folklore, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so
North Yorkshire: The Lover's/Beggar's Bridge
Today's adventure takes us over to Glaisdale in North Yorkshire, to hear the tale of the famous Beggar's Bridge - also known to some as the Lover's Bridge. This folktale is a really interesting mixture of both history and folklore and so for this episode we are joined by the podcast's very first special guest - historian Catherine Warr, for a closer look at the facts behind this sweet Yorkshire le
Cheshire: The Wizard of Alderley Edge
Oh hello, it's been a while hasn't it? Welcome back to The Faerie Folk and thank you for your patience whilst I took a much needed break from the podcast. In today's episode we kick off season three with a virtual trip to Cheshire for an epic retelling of the famous folktale, 'The Wizard of Alderley Edge.' There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why not j
An Update.
Hello, I thought I would send out a little update to let you know that unfortunately I'm having to cancel the planned Halloween special of The Faerie Folk podcast. My family and I are going through a very difficult and heartbreaking time at the moment and I need to spend all my time loving and supporting them as we try our best to make it through this together. Therefore, I have made the difficult
The Dangerous Dragon and Frightening Faeries of Tyne and Wear & County Durham (Part Two!)
Welcome to part two of our two-part adventure to the North East of England! In today's episode we will be once again be coming face-to-face with the English Faerie Folk who, as always, have a nefarious plot to carry out! Don't forget to subscribe/follow the podcast on your prefered listening platform so you'll be notified when October's Halloween special episode arrives later on. There's more folk
The Dangerous Dragon and Frightening Faeries of Tyne and Wear & County Durham (Part One!)
Welcome to part one of our two-part adventure to the North East of England! In this episode we're off to the county of Tyne and Wear to learn how the famous legend of the 'Lambton Worm' came to be. Don't forget to subscribe/follow the podcast on your prefered listening platform so you'll be notified when part two arrives later in the month. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you
Derbyshire's Stolen Skull and Masterful Magician
In this month's episode we will be exploring the spooky tale of a cursed skull that wreaked havoc upon a group of railway workers over in Coombs Moss. Then, the fantastical story of two magicians-in-training, who defied their master and dared to take a look inside his very precious - and very powerful - spellbook. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so w
Wales' Faithful Faerie Bride and Dangerous Dancing
Our virtual tour returns to Wales for a look at two different folktales featuring the Tylwyth Teg, or Welsh Faerie Folk. The first Welsh tale of the day is the story of the young man from Llyn y Dywarchen, who fell in love with a beautiful faerie woman - and the second is the story of a magical faerie harp, infused with the power to enchant all those that hear its music. There's more folktales, my
Wiltshire's Cursed Church Bell and Mysterious Moonrakers
Welcome back virtual travellers! In this month's episode our magical tour takes us over to the county of Wiltshire, to discover the strange origins of a spell said to have been cast upon a vicarage in Wilcot. Then we're off to the market town, Devizes, to uncover the famous legend of the Wiltshire Moonrakers. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why no
Lancashire's Wicked Wishes and Enchanted Fisherman
In this month's virtual adventure we're off to Lancashire to meet the man who made a deal with the devil and was granted three wishes, in exchange for his soul. Then over by the sea in Morecambe, we meet the fisherman who found his way to the magical 'Land of the Nodding Flowers' and befriended a group of Lancashire faeries known as the 'Greenies'. cw: alcoholism There's more folktales, myths an
Warwickshire's Brave Knight and Shakespearean Mystery
It's time for another virtual adventure! In this month's episode we're off to the English county of Warwickshire, to meet the chivalrous medieval hero, Guy of Warwick. Then over in the beautiful town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, we set out to discover the truth behind the gothic legend connected to the town's most famous resident - William Shakespeare. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting
Cambridgeshire's Gallant Giant Slayer and Unique University Legends
This month's podcast episode takes us to Cambridgeshire, to meet the famous folk-hero Tom Hickathrift, who lived in the marshland of Ely and took on a giant! Then we take a relaxing boat trip down the River Cam to learn more about Cambridge University, its long history, fascinating urban legends and chilling ghost stories. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you over on social me
Norfolk's Hidden Treasure and Mournful Mermaid
In this Norfolk-based episode, we will be joining the famous 'Pedlar of Swaffham' who travelled from Norfolk to London on the whim of a dream, to seek his fortune over in the city. Then we'll be heading to the coast to meet a mournful mermaid in search of a soul, whose figure is now immortalised in a church in Upper Sheringham. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you over on soci
Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway and Magical Music
Hello and welcome to season two of The Faerie Folk, the podcast that takes you on a magical tour to discover the myth and the magic of the United Kingdom - without leaving the comfort of your own home! Today's episode takes us over to Northern Ireland to explore The Giant's Causeway and the legend of the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill who is said to have built it. Then join us as we fly away with the fa
Northumberland's Woeful Worm and Faerie Friend
In the season one finale of The Faerie Folk, we travel up to Northumberland to discover the famous folktale known as 'The Laidly Worm Of Spindleston Heugh'. Then we finish our virtual journey in Rothley - the setting of a lesser-known story called 'My Ainsel', featuring a curious little boy and his new faerie friend. There's more folktales, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media t
Suffolk's Changeling Child and Tricky Tom Tit Tot
Today's episode takes us to the county of Suffolk in the East of England, where we discover the strange story of a young girl who claimed to have been stolen away by the faeries. Then we take a trip to a castle, to learn all about the trickster imp known as Tom Tit Tot. There's more myths and magic waiting for you over on social media too: Twitter: twitter.com/thefaerie_folk Instagram: www.insta
Shropshire's Paranormal Plane and Wandering Will O' the Wisp (Halloween Special)
Join us as we welcome in the autumn season with a rather spooky episode of The Faerie Folk! Learn all about the history of Halloween and how the festival we know and love came to be. Then travel to Shropshire to find out about the pilot who supposedly haunts the Arvo Lincoln plane in Cosford's RAF Museum - and finally discover the story behind the strange glowing phenomena known as the Will O' the
Lincolnshire's Boastful Boggart and Iconic Imp
It's time for another Faerie Folk adventure! Today's episode is all about the county of Lincolnshire, where we meet Mumby's boastful boggart and learn all about the deal he made with a local farmer. Then we travel into the city of Lincoln, to discover the origins of one of its most famous folktales - the story of the Lincoln imp. There's more myths and magic waiting for you over on social media to
The Legendary Loch Ness Monster
I'm sure you've already heard of the mysterious monster that is supposed to live within the murky depths of Loch Ness - but how much to do you know about her history? Come with us on an extra-long virtual adventure to the loch, where we follow Nessie's journey from the very beginning and learn about how one of Scotland's most famous and well-loved legends came to be. Have you been lucky enough to
The Helpful Hob and Mysterious Merman of the North York Moors
Are you ready for another Faerie Folk adventure? Today's journey takes us to The North York Moors where we learn all about the household spirit known as a Hob, that might secretly help out with some of your day-to-day chores - but only if you stay on its good side. We also take a trip down to the beach, to discover the legend of the Skinningrove merman and find out whether the 'man from the sea' w
Somerset's Famous Faerie King And Ancient Standing Stones
Today we're traveling to Somerset to discover more magical creatures and traditional folktales. Our virtual adventure first takes us up to the top of Glastonbury Tor to meet the Faerie King Gwynn Ap Nudd and learn all about his encounter with the abbot, St. Collen. And then we journey over to the village of Stanton Drew, famous for its many ancient standing stone circles. Are they the neolithic mo
London's Victorian Vision and Vicious Vampire
This week we're traveling into the city to discover more of the United Kingdom's most fascinating myths and legends. London is full of great ghost stories and frightening folklore - but just who was William Terriss and why does his ghost haunt the Adelphi Theatre? And did a vampire really stalk the grounds of Highgate cemetery in the 1970s? Join us for another magical tour and you might just find
Scotland's Shapeshifting Selkies and Fantastical Faeries
Our latest magical excursion takes us up to Scotland to have a look at two different Scottish folk creatures - selkies (also known as silkies, selchie or roane) and faeries (or fairies if you prefer!) We begin our journey at the very top of the country, on the edge of Duncansby Head, close to John O'Groats. Down below the waves, we come face to face with a whole community of friendly, but myster
Devon's Famous Phantom and Haunting Hounds
Today we're traveling to Devon, the county known for its cream teas, scrumpy… and ghostly apparitions. The Hairy Hands are one of Dartmoor's most famous legends, but what exactly are they - and who do they belong to? We also travel to Buckfastleigh to meet Squire Cabell, the 'monstrously evil man' and his hellish hounds that haunt the Devonshire countryside. Disclaimer: This episode was written, r
Wales' Dragon Battle And Devil's Bridge
Today's adventure takes us to Wales for an exciting look at some of the country's most interesting myths and legends. Our first stop is Dinas Emrys, the hillock said to have once been the site of a great dragon battle. But why were the dragons fighting, and how did the area get its name? Then we journey on, to the uniquely named Devil's Bridge where three magnificent bridges sit on top of one anot
The Mystical Mermaids Of Cornwall
Come and join us on our very first Faerie Folk adventure as we travel down to Cornwall - home to some of the U.K's most famous myths and legends. Discover the story of The Mermaid of Zennor and the charming singer who fell in love with her, and meet the vengeful Mermaid of Padstow and learn of the terrible curse that she bestowed on the town. Disclaimer: This episode was written, recorded and edit
