|
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 31st
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 |
|