Folklore
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There are few things that humanity has been quite so consistently afraid of as a dead person who refuses to behave like one.
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Our ancestors didn’t imagine another world above the clouds. They imagined it was just beyond the hill..
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Forget everything you think you know about the Fairy Queen. Long before glitter and fairy tales, Britain knew mysterious women who ruled hidden kingdoms below hills, lakes and ancient forests. Meet the powerful Queens of the Otherworld, where myth, magic and folklore become one…
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Scarecrows used to be harmless protectors of crops, but now they creep us out and star in horror stories. Still, towns celebrate them in festivals, showing their quirky charm and creativity.
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John Barleycorn has been cut down, drowned and burned for centuries. But behind this brutal old folk song lies a much older story of harvest, sacrifice and rebirth…
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Pull up a chair… The tide is coming in and every coastline has a story to tell…
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“For every branch that falls from this old oak, a member of your family shall die.”
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“From phantom big cats to haunted castles and distant quasars, another fascinating week reminds us that the world’s greatest mysteries rarely announce themselves with certainty. They simply leave us asking questions…”
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Another classic from the Mysterious Times mahoosive vault 🧛♂️
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Crop Circles, Big Cats and a Regrettable Lack of British Ghosts (Because frankly we would appreciate the cold spots in this heatwave…)
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There are places in Britain where the past never truly leaves. Old churches. Quiet stations. Lonely roads across the moors. And, sometimes… football grounds…
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There are some people who slip quietly into history. Others kick the door down, throw glitter into the air and refuse to leave.
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Bigfoot is still striding through Canadian forests. Britain’s phantom cats continue to stalk hedgerows and fields. Yet ghosts, for once, seem remarkably absent. As summer settles across Britain, we ask whether the monsters have disappeared – or whether we’ve simply stopped noticing them.
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There are certain graves that seem determined to tell you their story.
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The Major Oak of Sherwood Forest has stood for perhaps a thousand years, becoming one of Britain’s most beloved folkloric landmarks. With news that the ancient giant has finally died, we reflect on the life, legacy and enduring mythology of England’s greatest folkloric witness. 🌳💚
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Pull up a chair, let me tell you a tale… I first heard the story during a violent storm in Buxton. At the time I was a young folklorist, scarcely three years removed from university, engaged upon the collection of local traditions throughout the Peak District. Such pursuits frequently led me into lonely villages, isolated…
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There are some actors who become famous. There are others who become familiar. Anthony Head belonged to that rarer category still. He became trusted.
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House brownies, magical creatures from British and Scottish folklore, quietly help with household tasks in exchange for food offerings. Their appearance is rugged, and they prefer working unseen. To maintain a positive relationship, offer food, show respect, and avoid causing offense. Various authors and cultural tales feature these beings. By following specific practices, a harmonious…
