The most famous legends in Cornwall
Flora DayHelston · FamousOne May day a year, a whole town dances through its own front doors. Working that day was once a mistake.
Lost LyonesseSennen · FamousA rich country once joined Cornwall to Scilly. One man saw the sea coming and ran for his horse.
Piran's MillstonePerranporth · FamousA saint was tied to a millstone and thrown into the sea. He arrived in Cornwall in early March.
The 'Obby 'OssPadstow · FamousAt midnight on May Eve the singing starts. In the morning, something with a black hooped skirt and a fierce mask comes out to dance.
The Giant's WifeMarazion · FamousA giant built an island out of white granite. His wife took a shortcut.
The Holed StoneMadron · FamousMothers carried sick children up to the moor. The cure meant passing them through a stone.
The King ChoughTintagel · FamousArthur was conceived here, the story goes. Some say he never quite left.
The Merry MaidensSt Buryan · FamousNineteen girls danced to two pipers on a Sunday. Then the church clock struck midnight.
The Zennor MermaidZennor · FamousA lovely stranger came to church for years and never aged. The finest singer in the parish followed her home.
Tregeagle's TaskBolventor · FamousA wicked steward came back from the dead to testify. The churchmen found him a job that would never end.
Customs you can still see
The Devil 1
Giants 3
- The Giant's WifeMarazion · FreeA giant built an island out of white granite. His wife took a shortcut.
- Bolster's BloodSt Agnes · FreeA giant fell for a saint and would not leave her alone. She asked for just one small proof of his love.
- The Spriggans' HoardLelant · FreeThe giants hid their treasure in this hill when their time ran out. They left it guarded.
Heroes and kings 1
Saints and holy places 4
- Piran's MillstonePerranporth · FreeA saint was tied to a millstone and thrown into the sea. He arrived in Cornwall in early March.
- Madron WellMadron · FreeGirls came to this spring with a pin and a question. The bubbles gave the answer.
- Nectan's BellTrethevy · Pay to get inA dying hermit rang his silver bell one last time. Then he dropped it into the waterfall.
- St Keyne's WellSt Keyne · FreeA saint blessed a spring for newlyweds. The trick is to drink first.
Customs 3
- Flora DayHelston · FreeOne May day a year, a whole town dances through its own front doors. Working that day was once a mistake.
- The 'Obby 'OssPadstow · FreeAt midnight on May Eve the singing starts. In the morning, something with a black hooped skirt and a fierce mask comes out to dance.
- Tom Bawcock's EveMousehole · FreeThe village was starving and the sea was wild. One fisherman went out anyway.
Curses 5
- The Merry MaidensSt Buryan · FreeNineteen girls danced to two pipers on a Sunday. Then the church clock struck midnight.
- Tregeagle's TaskBolventor · FreeA wicked steward came back from the dead to testify. The churchmen found him a job that would never end.
- The Doom BarPadstow · FreeA mermaid kept Padstow's harbour deep. Then someone took a shot at her.
- The HurlersMinions · FreeMen chased a hurling ball across the moor on a Sunday. The game did not end the way they expected.
- The Nine MaidensBoskednan · FreeStone circles across Cornwall share one name and one story. On this hill, the maidens still stand in their ring.
Mysteries 5
- Lost LyonesseSennen · FreeA rich country once joined Cornwall to Scilly. One man saw the sea coming and ran for his horse.
- The Holed StoneMadron · FreeMothers carried sick children up to the moor. The cure meant passing them through a stone.
- The Zennor MermaidZennor · FreeA lovely stranger came to church for years and never aged. The finest singer in the parish followed her home.
- Piper's HoleTresco · FreeTwo caves on two islands share one name. Those who tried the passage between them did not all come back.
- The Logan RockTreen · FreeThe great rock would move only for the pure of heart. A naval officer decided to test it.