The Faerie Folk - Folklore, Myths and Legends from the U.K

"On the morning of the third of February 2014, a bus driver travelling alongside the River Avon spotted something strange - swimming beneath Bedminster Bridge was something remarkable… a crocodile."
In today's episode of The Faerie Folk podcast, we're on the hunt of an illusive Urban Legend - the infamous Bristol Crocodile, one of the most contemporary tales we've explored on the podcast.
So hold tight as we journey back to 2014 to hear about how this peculiar story came to be - and see how an urban legend develops in real time. And of course we'll take a moment to get to know the history and legends connected to Bristol, one of my favourite cities!  
CW: Attempted sucide (To skip this section, head to 04:25)
There's more folklore, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why not join us on:
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Threads: thefaerie_folk
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Email: [email protected] 
The music featured in today's episode is:
Galway by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3795-galway/ 
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
Company / LNGR feat. Eyre / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
*Though the travel information in this podcast was correct at the time of posting, things do change over time so please make sure to research your routes before travelling and adhere to any local guidelines once there.*

In this episode we're reuniting with the faeries as we travel to Herefordshire to learn about the mischievous young girl who was lured into joining a perpetual faerie dance. 
Today our audio adventure takes us to Kington in Herefordshire where we dive head-first into a dramatic retelling of the Faeries' Dancing Gate, adapted from the folktale collected by Ella Mary Leather in her book, The Folk-lore of Herefordshire. Then stick around to hear more about fairy/faerie folklore and to learn about Ella Mary Leather's history - with some travel tips for your own adventures around Kington, Herefordshire and the Black and White House trail.
I hope you enjoy the new episode - and remember, do not follow the faerie music no matter how enchanting it may seem!
There's more folklore, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why not join us on:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefaerie_folk/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefaeriefolk/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefaeriefolk 
Threads: thefaerie_folk
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thefaeriefolk.bsky.social 
Email: [email protected] 

The music featured in today's episode is:
Galway by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3795-galway/ 
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
Philip Ayers / River Walk / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Druid Lands / Jo Wandrini / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Roy Edwin Williams / O'Connor's Jig / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Philip Ayers / Forever Free / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Magnus Ludvigsson / Melancolique / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
August Wilhelmsson / A Man With No Name / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
David Celeste / Coco Begins His Journey / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Jon Björk / Juggler's Curse / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

*Though the travel information in this podcast was correct at the time of posting, things do change over time so please make sure to research your routes before travelling and adhere to any local guidelines once there.*

Welcome to 'Folktales of the Sea' The Faerie Folk's very first storytelling collection, featuring a selection of my favourite folktales from across the podcast, all connected by their oceanic settings.
 
I will introduce each of today's stories by their title and place of origin, including the version of the story I've based mine on, but without the usual history section of the podcast, so you will be able to enjoy today's tales as background listening to help you drift off to sleep, study, or just to keep you company on a cosy evening!
 
I've also included one brand new folktale in today's compilation that I've not told on the podcast before, so make sure to stay to the end to hear the Scottish legend, The Mermaid of Dunnet Bay.
 
I'm currently on a mission to revisit some of the older episodes of the podcast, as I'd like to bring their quality up to the same standard as my later episodes, so I hope this storytelling session can help tide you over whilst I work on those. And you will be getting a sneak preview of some of the updates that I'm making in today's episode, as I share brand new versions of The Mermaid of Zennor and many of your other favourite folktales, with updated sound quality, music and effects.
 
So then friends, I think it is time for us to travel to the sea…
The main music featured in today's episode is: 
Galway by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3795-galway

License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
The Mermaid of Zennor
From Zennor in Cornwall, England.
Based on the version in Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall
by William Bottrrell, published in 1873.
From the episode 'The Mystical Mermaids of Cornwall'.
 
Music 
Galatic Battles / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Once in a Life / Howard Harper-Barnes / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
 
The Mermaid of Padstow
From Padstow in Cornwall, England
Based on the version in North Cornwall Fairies and Legends
by Enys Tregarthen published in 1906.
From the episode 'The Mystical Mermaids of Cornwall'.
 
Music 
Highland Hymn/ Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Sphinx / David Celeste / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Restless Pacific / Jon Björk / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Streching the Minutes / Jon Björk / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Wherever I Wander (Edit) / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

 
The Seal Catcher's Adventure
From John O'Groats, in Caithness, Scotland.
Based on the version by William Grant Stewart in The Popular Superstitions and Festive Amusements of the Highlanders of Scotland, published in 1823.
Adapted from the episode 'Scotland's Shapeshifting Seals and Fantastical Faeries'.
 
Music
The Road Less Travelled / Gabriel Lewis / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Greyish Regret / Charles Holme / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

The Last of Our Kind (Edit) / Jon Björk / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
A King's Ransom / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
The Norman Kings / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

 
The Skinningrove Merman
From Skinningrove in North Yorkshire, England
Based on John Grave's account in 1808's 'The History of Cleveland in the North Riding of the
County of York' and Folk Tales From The North York Moors by Peter N. Walker, published in 1990.
From the episode 'The Helpful Hob and Mysterious Merman of the North York Moors'.
 
Music
Ivory Tower / Philip Ayers / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Where The Thistle Grows / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
The Protagonist / Howard Harper-Barnes / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
 
The Mermaid of Dunnet Bay
From Dunnet Bay in The Scottish Highlands.
Based on the version in 'Sketch of the Civil and Traditional History of Caithness',
by James T Calder with historical notes by Thomas Sinclair, published in 1887.


Music
A Call From the Wild / Rune Dale / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
May You Have / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Celtics in Disguise (Edit) / Trabant 33 / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Moon Child / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Forsaken Wayfarer / Jon Björk / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Solemn / Bonnie Grace / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Across Rocky Plains / Jon Björk / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to The Faerie Folk podcast - the audio tour that takes you across the United Kingdom, stopping off at all the magical and mystical places along the way. 
Join me, your resident myths and legends lover and enjoy brand new retellings of classic folktales, accompanied by immersive soundscapes that take you right into the heart of these traditional tales.
Sail across the sea to meet lovesick mermaids, climb mountains to find fire breathing dragons and venture through great forests to spy upon the mysterious faerie folk - all without leaving the comfort of your own home.
Then settle down by the fire as we discover the history behind these legends and their unique locations. Plus, I'll also share some handy travel tips, so you can experience the magic of the UK on your own adventures too. So, what are you waiting for? Come and join the audio adventure here on The Faerie Folk podcast. Oh! And don't forget, that's Faerie spelt F-A-E-R-I-E.
There's more folklore, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why not join us on:
Threads: thefaerie_folk

Bluesky: thefaeriefolk.bsky.social 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefaerie_folk/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefaeriefolk/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UCR9cDyL6Lsm2CWQ_HwUfDmA  
The music featured in today's episode is:
Galway by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3795-galway
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We're sailing into spooky season this month with a ghoulish ghost story! Meet The Lady Lovibond, the ghost ship said to haunt the Goodwin Sands off the coast of Deal in Kent, appearing every 50 years - doomed to re-create her tragic fate. 
In today's episode we take a virtual trip to the seaside and dive head-first into the world of this legendary ghost story. Enjoy an atmospheric retelling of the ship's ill-fated voyage, then back on dry land we explore the ghost ship's history, connection to Kent's folklore and (perhaps slightly questionable) origins. 
This episode is perfect for cosying up to on a dark autumnal evening - and hopefully, a fun start to your Halloween season! 
There's more folklore, myths and legends waiting for you over on social media, so why not join us on:
Threads: thefaerie_folk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefaerie_folk/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefaeriefolk/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UCR9cDyL6Lsm2CWQ_HwUfDmA  
The music featured in today's episode is:
Galway by Kevin MacLeod / Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3795-galway / 
License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
John and the Land of Plenty / The Green Fields / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Both Are Infinite / The Miner / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Bonnie Grace / A Celtic Blessing / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Charles Holme / Knee Deep / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Fabien Tell / Last Point of Safe Return / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Jon Bjork / The Lifeguard / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Jon Bjork / A Constant Longing / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen / A Path to the Abyss / courtesy of Epidemic Sound
DEX 1200, Pawn Krishna / The Ninth Day / courtesy of Epidemic Sound

*Though the travel information in this podcast was correct at the time of posting, things do change over time so please make sure to research your routes before travelling and adhere to any local guidelines once there.*