Places to walk inspired by myths and legends

Ancient trees on the walk up to Croft Ambre Croft Castle, Herefordshire. — Ancient trees at Croft Castle, where travellers are said to be led astray by a mischievous imp | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Many of the places we care for are steeped in myths and legends that bring the landscape to life. Here we've selected our top places to go for a walk where you'll discover folklore, local legends and magical stories that have been passed down for generations.

Plym Valley, Devon: If you’re on the hunt for myths and legends, it’s hard to beat Dartmoor. Hunkered down among the trees in the Plym Valley you’ll find the Dewerstone, named after ‘Dewer’ or devil, who is said to command a pack of demonic ‘Wisht hounds’. Appearing as a figure in black, he lures or hunts travellers to the top of the Dewerstone and then disappears, leaving them to fall into the jaws of his hounds. It's even said that one year following snowfall, the traces of a cloven hoof were found alongside a human footprint on the way to the summit.Get your walking boots on
Devil's Dyke, West Sussex: According to local legend, the Devil got so annoyed at churches springing up in Sussex that he began digging a dyke to let in the sea water and drown the people. As he was throwing clumps of dirt around, he accidentally created new features including Chanctonbury Ring and Rackham Hill. Luckily for the locals, the Devil was scared off by the cry of a cockerel and left the dyke only half finished. Legends tells that when the Devil perished he was buried at the bottom of the dyke, and if you run around the Devil's Grave seven times holding your breath, he will appear.Beware the Devil in West Sussex
Killerton, Devon: Take a walk to the top of Dolbury Hill, a now-extinct volcano that was once the site of an Iron Age fort. It’s also said to be the hiding place for a huge mass of treasure, guarded by the Killerton Dragon who also watches over the house. If you do happen to find any treasure on the hill it’s probably a good idea to leave it there, otherwise you might wake the beast from its slumber...Visit Killerton

View of Devil's Dyke from Saddlescombe Farm with sun breaking through clouds, West Sussex — Devil's Dyke from Saddlescombe Farm | © National Trust Images/Neil Jakeman

White Horse Hill, Oxfordshire: The chalk horse figure on White Horse Hill is one of England’s most recognisable sites, but did you know that this landscape also hides another legend? There are lots of locations all over the country which are said to have been the site of St George’s battle with the dragon, and the aptly named Dragon Hill is one of them. There's a walking route to the distinctive mound, where you can decide for yourself whether this is the true place of legend.Discover the legend of George and the dragon
Croft Castle, Herefordshire: Local legend says that the name of Pokehouse Wood is derived from ‘Puck’, the mischievous imp of English folklore. The wood’s winding paths had a reputation for leading travellers astray as they tried to get home to Aymestrey – particularly innocent young maidens. So concerned was one local resident of the village that he donated money to employ someone to ring the bell at Aymestrey Church just before sunset in order to warn travellers in the wood that darkness was approaching.Watch out for mischievous imps in Pokehouse Wood
Blickling Estate, Norfolk: Blickling Hall stands on the site of an older medieval manor, which is thought to have been the birthplace of Anne Boleyn. She was famously beheaded on the orders of her husband Henry VIII, and now her headless ghost is said to return every year on 19 May, the anniversary of her execution. As night falls she arrives in a coach drawn by a headless horseman, with her own head in her lap. The moment the coach arrives in front of the house it vanishes into thin air, leaving headless Anne to roam in the hall until daylight.Wander in Anne Boleyn's footsteps

Penshaw Monument, Sunderland, a Doric temple commemorating the 1st Earl of Durham, Governor-General of Canada — Penshaw Monument, Sunderland | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Penshaw Monument, Tyne and Wear: Legend tells that Penshaw Hill was once the haunt of a malevolent dragon. The story begins with young John Lambton, who caught a worm on an unsuccessful fishing trip and dropped it into the village well. The worm grew into a dragon, and Lambton discovered that his punishment for introducing this terror to the village was to kill the first person he saw once the dragon had been slain. He managed to cut off the dragon's head, but was horrified when his father ran out to congratulate him. Lambton was unable to kill his father, so instead the family was cursed for nine generations.Explore the curse of the Lambton family
Beddgelert, Eryri (Snowdonia): Eryri (Snowdonia) is the perfect landscape for myths and legends, like the tragic tale of 13th-century Prince Llywelyn and his faithful hound Gelert. One day the prince returned from hunting to be met by Gelert, who was stained with blood. Llywelyn rushed to his baby son but found only an empty, bloodied cot. Mad with grief Llywelyn stabbed his dog, but in the next instant heard a baby’s cry and found his son unharmed beside the body of a slain wolf. The prince, filled with remorse for his mistake, never smiled again.Discover a landscape of myth and legend
Giant's Causeway, County Anrtim: Follow the blue trail at Giant’s Causeway to discover an other-worldly landscape of basalt columns that is truly the stuff of legend. Local folklore claims that the Causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn MacCool, in an attempt to cross to Scotland to fend off his Scottish counterpart Benandonner. Scientists discovered the real cause behind the rock formations in the late 18th century, but a walk along the clifftops is still sure to raise a sense of mystery.Walk in the footsteps of giants

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