Destination

Folklore, Custom or Legend

Abbots Ann, Hampshire

The custom of hanging the ‘Maidens Garlands’ in the local church in memory of deceased virgins dates back to the early eighteenth century.

Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire

The ancient Horn Dance takes place here each September.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-September.htm

Abbotsbury, Dorset

Garland Day is still celebrated here each May

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Abingdon, Oxfordshire

The traditional election of the Mayor of Ock Street is held in mid-July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Adderbury Oxfordshire

Local folklore connects the Devil with the church spire.

Alfriston, Susex

The shape of the Church of St Andrews is said to have been inspired by four oxen.

Allendale, Northumberland

Tubs of blazing tar are carried through the streets during the New Year’s Eve Fire Festival.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-December.htm

Alnwick, Northumberland

Traditional Shrove Tuesday Football is played annually.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Ambleside, Cumbria

A rush-bearing ceremony takes place on the last Sunday in July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

Appleby-in-Westmorland

Britain’s largest horse-fair takes place in June.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-June.htm

Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Shrovetide Football is played with goal a mere 3 miles apart. The village is also know for well-dressing.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Ashford, Derbyshire

The tradition of well-dressing takes place in May.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Aston on Clun, Shropshire

Arbor Day celebrations take place in May.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Athelney, Somerset

King Alfred hid from his enemies and burned those famous cakes when sheltering in a cottage here.

Atherstone, Warwickshire

A venue for the annual Shrovetide Football event.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Bacup, Lancashire

Famous for the mildly eccentric ‘Nutters Dance’!

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Easter.htm

Badbury Rings, Dorset

An Iron Age hillfort associated with Mount Badon, where King Arthur defeated the Saxons.

Bakewell, Derbyshire

Well-dressing takes place in June.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-June.htm

Bamburgh Castle, Nothumbria

Associated with the legends of Sir Lancelot, also the haunt of the Laidley Worm.

Bampton, Oxfordshire

The Bampton Morris Men annually celebrate Whit Monday in style.

Bardney, Lincolnshire

A shaft of holy light appeared before the monks of Bardney when they refused to accept the bones of St Oswald.

Barlow, Derbyshire

The well-dressing tradition is practised every August.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-August.htm

Barnsdale, Yorkshire

Believed by many to be the true home of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

Barrowden, Leicestershire

A traditional rush-bearing ceremony takes place here each June.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-June.htm

Barwick-in-Elmet

Famous for its Maypole dancing event.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Baslow, Derbyshire

Well-dressing takes place here each July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

Bath, Somerset

Associated with legend of the leper Prince Bladud, who discovered the healing power of the spa.

Berden, Hertfordshire

The annual ceremony of the enthroning of the Boy Bishops takes place here each December.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-December.htm

Berkeley, Gloucestershire

The Witch of Berkeley was carried away to hell by the Devil on a horse covered with spikes.

Berry Pomeroy, Devon

Preferring death to dishonour, two brothers rode their horses off the castle ramparts after a failed rebellion attempt.

Berwick-upon-Tweed

The annual ceremony of Blessing the Salmon Nets takes place here each February.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Biddenden, Kent

In memory of a pair of Siamese twins, the Biddenden Dole gifts are distributed each Easter Sunday.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Easter.htm

Bideford, Devon

Each New Year’s Day, at the custom known as Andew’s Dole, loaves of bread are given out.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Jan.htm

Biggar, Strathclyde

Each New Year’s Eve a traditional celebration known as ‘Burning the Old Year Out’ takes place.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-December.htm

Blidworth, Nottinghamshire

A cradle-rocking ceremony takes place each February in the local church.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Bloxham, Oxfordshire

A local legend connects the Devil with the church spire.

Blythburgh, Suffolk

Back in 1577, evil spirits came a calling at Blythburgh’s Church of the Holy Trinity.

Bonsall, Derbyshire

Well-dressing takes place here each July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

Bourne, Lincolnshire

The annual running auction is held each Easter Monday.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Easter.htm

Braemar, Grampian

The Royal Highland Gathering meets each September.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-September.htm

Bradwell, Derbyshire

Well-dressing takes place here each July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

Brandeston, Suffolk

The Witchfinder-General Mathew Hopkins, sentenced the Rev’d John Lowes to be hanged for witchcraft in 1645.

Braunton, Devon

Braunton’s first church was founded by St Brannoc, who had sailed from Wales in a stone coffin.

Bristol, Somerset

Each Whit Sunday a rush-bearing procession takes place at St Mary Redcliffe’s Church.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Brockworth, Gloucestershire

Each Spring Bank Holiday cheeses are rolled down Cooper’s Hill.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Associated with a legend that involves the slaying of a magical boar by Sir Rylas. The head appears on the towns’ coat of arms.

Buckland, Surrey

The village was once terrorised by a fearsome creature known as the Buckland Shag.

Burghead, Grampian

An ancient fire festival known as the ‘Burning the Clavie’ is celebrated each January.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Jan.htm

Buxton, Derbyshire

Well-dressing takes place here each June.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-June.htm

Cadbury Castle, Somerset

The Iron Age hillfort believed by many to be the most likely site of King Arthur’s Camelot.

Calder Valley, Yorkshire

The traditional Pace-Egg Play is performed each Good Friday.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Easter.htm

Callington, Cornwall

The ancient Christian Depth Well is signposted from the village centre

Canewdon, Essex

A local legend connects the tower of St Nicholas’s Church with seven witches.

Carhampton, Somerset

The tradition of Wassailing the cider apple trees is held on the Old Twelfth Night.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Jan.htm

Carlisle, Cumbria

Several Arthurian legends are connected to the city.

Carmarthen, Dyfed

Celebrated as where Merlin’s Oak grew, also for Job’s Healing Well.

Castleton, Derbyshire

Garland King Day celebrates Charles II’s escape from the Roundheads each May.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Chanctonbury Ring, Sussex

A hillfort linked with legends of buried treasure, druids and the Devil himself.

Charing, Kent

The Hooden Horse celebrations are thought to have been brought to Kent by the invading Jutes.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oxfordshire

Traditional May Day celebrations include Garland Dressing and Maypole dancing.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Chelmorton, Derbyshire

Well-dressing takes place each June.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-June.htm

Chelmsford, Essex

One of the most infamous sites associated with the witchcraft trials.

Chester, Cheshire

The Miracle Plays take place in July every fifth year. The next is scheduled for 2008.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

With kind permission & courtesy of Chester Mystery Plays

Chester-le-Street, Durham

The Shrove Tuesday football match is an annual event.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Chichester, Sussex

Blessing the Plough Ceremony takes place on the first Sunday following Twelfth Night.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Jan.htm

Christchurch, Hampshire

Local legend recalls how divine intervention helped to construct the town’s priory church.

Cilgerran, Cardiganshire

Venue for the annual coracle races that take place each August.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-August.htm

Cleator Moor, Cumbria

Pilgrims arrive to pray at the replica shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Combe Martin, Devon

Over the Spring Bank Holiday the village practices the seventeenth century custom of ‘The Hunting of the Earl of Rone’.

Comrie, Tayside

‘Burning the Old Year Out’ is celebrated each 31^st December.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-December.htm

Constable Sands, Cheshire

These sand bars on the River Dee commemorate a miracle by St Werburga.

Corfe Castle, Dorset

King Edward the Martyr was murdered here by order of his stepmother.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-March.htm

Cottingley, West Yorkshire

Setting for those controversial ‘Cottingley Fairies’ photographs.

Coventry, West Midlands

Site of Lady Godiva’s naked ride.

Deerhurst, Gloucestershire

For years the townsfolk lived in fear of a dragon until it was slain.

Derwentwater, Cumbria

St Herbert’s Isle in Derwentwater is named after the holy hermit who once lived there.

Devil’s Bridge, Cumbria

Legend tells that the Devil built the bridge across the River Lune in order to trap an old woman.

Devil’s Dyke, Sussex

An old woman saved the local folk by outwitting the Devil

Dewsbury, Yorkshire

A bell known as Black Tom tolls every Christmas Eve to keep the Devil from the streets of Dewsbury.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-December.htm

Dilston, Northumberland

Linked with supernatural occurrences after the Jacobite leader James Radcliffe was beheaded in London.

Dore, Yorkshire

Well-dressing takes place here each July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

Duloe, Cornwall

Site of St Cuby’s holy well.

Dunmow, Essex

Each leap year the Dunmow Flitch Trial is held in order to establish the couple who share marital bliss.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-Feb.htm

Dunster, Somerset

Hobby Horse celebrations take place each May Day.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

East Dereham, Norfolk

Site of a convent founded by St Withburga in the seventh century. Her holy well and shrine are close to St Nicholas’s church.

Ebernoe, Sussex

Site of the Horn Fair held each July.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-July.htm

Edenbridge, Kent

Bonfire celebrations take place on 5th November.

www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/England-History/GuyFawkes.htm

Edinburgh, Lothian

The Beltane Fire Festival takes place annually.

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/FolkloreYear-May.htm

Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire