Mom goddess, Tigh Nam Bodach, Perthshire
In a distant location past Loch Lyon (seven miles west of Cashlie in Glen Lyon), a twice-yearly seasonal ritual has taken place on the shrine of Tigh Nam Bodach since time immemorial. A low, turf-roofed stone construction homes a variety of river-worn stones of vaguely humanoid form, and these are introduced out and positioned in entrance of the shrine on Beltane (1 Might). There they stand and hold watch over the land till they're returned to the shrine’s inside at Samhain (1 November) for the winter. The figures are stated to signify the Bodach (“previous man”) and the Cailleach, the Celtic crone goddess who presides over the land and brings the altering seasons. Open all 12 months and free to entry.
Arthur, legendary hero, Cadbury Citadel, Somerset
The traditional hillfort often called Cadbury Citadel – 500 metres from South Cadbury village – is believed by many to be the location of King Arthur’s legendary Camelot. Archaeologists have confirmed that the iron age hillfort was reoccupied and the defences strengthened someday within the fifth or sixth century, when the historic Arthur is believed to have lived. His legend continues to be embedded in trendy tradition, and some believers insist he by no means actually died. Some say Cadbury Citadel is the place Arthur and his court docket lie in magical sleep in a hidden cavern beneath the hill, able to awake and return on the hour of Britain’s biggest want. Freely accessible all 12 months spherical.
A spot of therapeutic, Menacuddle Effectively, Cornwall
Amongst decorative gardens on the outskirts of St Austell (400 metres north of the railway bridge on the B3274), Menacuddle Effectively sits beside a river and tranquil waterfall. The medieval stone nicely home is held to comprise therapeutic water in a deep stone trough, and the water flows freely across the nicely by way of shallow stone channels. Sick youngsters and people troubled with ulcers got here right here to be cured, and bent pins have been thrown into the waters for divination and to carry luck. Its title is derived from maen-a-coedl which implies “the hawk’s stone”. The nicely nonetheless has a magical ambiance, enhanced by the ribbons and crystals hung round by guests and pilgrims looking for therapeutic. Freely accessible all 12 months spherical.
Water spirits, Llyn Barfog, Gwynedd
In a distant spot within the hills above the Dyfi estuary, Llyn Barfog is alleged to have been residence to the Afanc, a water monster that rampaged by way of the realm, killing livestock, till it was ultimately dispatched by King Arthur. He dragged it from the lake utilizing magical chains, and a few say he killed it, whereas others declare he took it to Cadair Idris and launched it into the waters of Llyn Cau. A stone beside a footpath resulting in Llyn Barfog bears a hoof print made by King Arthur’s horse throughout his fierce battle with the Afanc and is named Carn March Arthur. The lake is reached by a one-mile path from Completely happy Valley Street automobile park, 1.8 miles north of Aberdovey.
Celtic saints, Nevern churchyard, Pembrokeshire
The churchyard at Nevern is known for each its historical carved stones and its marvellous “bleeding” yew tree. Beside the church stands a four-metre-high Celtic cross fully lined in intricate knotwork designs in a Scandinavian fashion. It dates from the tenth or eleventh century and is typically often called Saint Brynach’s Stone. There's a legend that on Saint Brynach’s Day (7 April) the primary cuckoo of spring would land on prime of the stone and sing, and mass couldn't be held on the saint’s day till this had occurred. Saint Brynach was an Irish saint who is alleged to have floated over to Wales on a stone. The bleeding yew tree oozes pink sap that appears like blood; one in every of many legends says a monk who was hanged from the tree cursed it to bleed for him. The tree is in an avenue of yews that kinds a inexperienced tunnel resulting in the church door.
Dropped by clumsy giants, Stiperstones, Shropshire
Rising above a windswept expanse of moorland, the Stiperstones type a protracted, jagged ridge of rocks, the best of which is known as the Satan’s Chair. It's right here that a large, or some say the satan, sat right down to relaxation whereas carrying an apron-load of stone from Eire. As he stood up once more the apron strings broke and scattered the boulders, which nonetheless lie all around the hill. One other pile of stones forming a cairn was stated to have been dropped by a giantess who later tried to hold a few of the stones away. The stones lie two miles east of Pennerley on the Shropshire Method.
Animate stones, Bowerman’s Nostril, Devon
The imposing granite stack often called Bowerman’s Nostril has the air of an historical megalithic idol because it gazes out over the panorama in the direction of Hameldown Tor. Standing on Hayne Down, a mile south-west of Manaton village, its look is so unnatural that it was believed by some to have been created by the druids. Its base is nearly completely sq., whereas on prime of the column is a grim “face” that seems to be sporting a cap. Native legend presents another origin for this monumental stone: a hunter named Bowerman offended a coven of witches by disrupting their ceremony whereas chasing a hare (who was really a witch in disguise). In revenge they turned the hunter into stone, and his canines grew to become the rocks of Hound Tor.
Norse and Anglo-Saxon fantasy, Wayland’s Smithy, Oxfordshire
The neolithic chambered lengthy barrow often called Wayland’s Smithy was as soon as regarded as residence to an invisible blacksmith of legendary talent. The doorway is hid in a small copse – simply off the traditional neolithic monitor known as the Ridgeway, one mile east of Ashbury, near the Uffington White Horse – and is marked by a row of giant megaliths that cover a small stone chamber and a protracted, low mound stretching away behind. It was extensively believed that the forge of Wayland the Smith, an Anglo-Saxon demigod of unsurpassed talent in metalworking, was within the barrow. Freely accessible all 12 months spherical.
Fertility hole, Traprain Legislation,East Lothian
The rocky volcanic outcrop often called Traprain Legislation, 1½ miles south of East Linton village in Lothian, stands out starkly from the encompassing panorama. It was as soon as the capital of the Romano-British kingdom of Gododdin and has been an essential ritual centre since neolithic instances. It's topped by an iron age hillfort and on the very summit is a rocky outcrop from which a slice of rock has damaged away, leaving a slim hole. That is the Maiden Stone and squeezing into the hole is alleged to confer fertility and luck on any younger girl who passes by way of it whereas touching either side. Freely accessible all 12 months spherical.
Needs and divination, Fairy Steps, Cumbria
Lower into the rocks on the sting of Whin Scar’s plateau, a mile south-west of Beetham in Underlaid Wooden, a set of steep stone steps ascends a slim cleft. These are stated to be haunted by the fairies who've been seen working up and down them. They are going to grant a want to anybody who manages to stroll up or down this narrowest of staircases with out touching the perimeters – a process that's close to unimaginable for all however the “little individuals”! The Fairy Steps are reached by an historical trackway that passes by way of the twisted timber and limestone pavement formations of Whin Scar close to Beetham village.
That is an edited extract from Magical Britain – 650 Enchanted and Mystical Websites by Rob Wildwood, printed by Wild Issues at £18.99; accessible to Guardian readers at a 20% low cost and free P&P with code Guardian22
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