The most famous legends in Dorset
Don't say rabbitPortland · FamousA Portland quarryman sees a rabbit. He puts down his tools and goes home.
Edward the Martyr's murderCorfe Castle · FamousThe young king rode up to greet his brother. His stepmother was waiting.
The Cerne GiantCerne Abbas · FamousA naked giant with a club looks down on a Dorset village. Nobody knows who cut him.
The Screaming SkullBettiscombe · FamousA servant asked to be buried at home. He was not, and the screaming began.
Customs you can still see
Ghosts 3
- Lady Trenchard's ghostCharminster · PrivateA judge looked up from his dinner. Lady Trenchard was standing behind her chair.
- The Athelhampton apeAthelhampton · Pay to get inA daughter hid behind the panels. Her ape followed her in.
- The Turberville coachWool · FreeA coach crosses the old bridge at night. Only one family can see it.
The Devil 3
- The Devil steals Knowlton's bellKnowlton · FreeA Christian church was built inside a pagan ring. The Devil took offence.
- The Devil's AnvilStudland · FreeThe Devil sat on the Needles and took aim. He missed.
- The Devil's quoitPortesham · FreeThe Devil was playing quoits on Portland. One throw went wide.
Giants 1
Outlaws 1
Saints and holy places 3
- Edward the Martyr's murderCorfe Castle · Pay to get inThe young king rode up to greet his brother. His stepmother was waiting.
- The miraculous beamChristchurch · FreeThe beam was too short when the masons left. By dawn it had grown.
- The well St Augustine struckCerne Abbas · FreeA saint came to Cerne and struck the ground. The water is still running.
Customs 3
- Garland DayAbbotsbury · FreeFishermen's children threw flowers to the sea. Then the village ran out of children.
- The ByzantShaftesbury · FreeA town on a hill had no water. Every year it paid with a calf's head.
- The Wishing WellUpwey · FreeA spring with no special powers became a wishing well. People still wish.
Curses 5
- Don't say rabbitPortland · FreeA Portland quarryman sees a rabbit. He puts down his tools and goes home.
- The Screaming SkullBettiscombe · PrivateA servant asked to be buried at home. He was not, and the screaming began.
- The Curse of St OsmundSherborne · Pay to get inA saint cursed whoever took his lands. Raleigh took them anyway.
- The Devil's nine childrenWinterbourne Abbas · FreeChildren played a game on the Sabbath. They are still sitting there.
- The man in the wallWimborne Minster · FreeHe swore the town would never bury him. He kept his word.
Mysteries