Where granite tors brood beneath rolling mist, islands rise from silvered seas, and stone circles hold sentinel through the centuries – a sense of ancient magic is woven into the fabric of Britain and Ireland.
Across these isles, oral histories, enduring tales and centuries-old rituals continue to give meaning to the land and interpret the marks left by those from long before. While many beliefs have been lost to time or have survived only in rural pockets, folk culture has a habit of re-emerging. Its recent resurgence reflects a yearning to slow down and reconnect with the rhythms of nature in a digitally dominated world, as well as a desire for an inclusive sense of community and belonging.
Here, we take a journey through regions embedded with myth, memory and folklore, inviting travellers to draw inspiration and walk, quite literally, in the footsteps of legend. From Arthurian strongholds, fairy pools and submerged kingdoms to vibrant folk festivals, these places spark as much wonder for people today as they did in the past. In an age that prides itself on speed and explanation, why does the mythic still call irresistibly to somewhere deep in our bones?
Many of our homes are immersed in settings shaped as much by story as by stone, offering a chance to stay amid the living folklore of our Isles.
Cornwall
Mike Erskine
Tintagel
High above the Atlantic, Tintagel Castle is bound to the legend of King Arthur, said to have been conceived here through Merlin’s enchantment. Today visitors can wander the castle’s ruins and take in the dramatic sea views. When the tide's out, you can also descend to Merlin’s Cave, reputedly once the wizard’s hidden retreat.
Montol Festival
Each winter solstice, Penzance holds the Montol Festival, a modern re-imagining of Cornish midwinter traditions. A theatrical procession brings the town together to honour seasonal change and community. The streets fill with performers taking part in guise dancing, mumming and the 'Chalking of the Mock' Yule log.
If you’d like to visit Cornwall’s legendary sites and experience local traditions, consider staying at Aphrodite near Tintagel, Oska or The Fish Store near Penzance.
County Kerry
Rachel Lillis and Stephen Leonardi
Skellig Islands
These two islets off Ireland's Kerry coast are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most visitors come to Skellig Michael to explore its monastic beehive huts, but the surrounding waters are steeped in selkie folklore. These mythic seals shed their skins to become beautiful humans on land, often marrying before returning to the sea.
Eightercua Standing Stones
This imposing stone alignment dates back over 3,000 years. Legend says the stones mark the resting place of Scéine, the wife of the druid-poet Amergin. According to Irish mythology, they were Milesians, nomadic people who drove a race of gods below ground in Ireland and became the ancestors of the Gaelic people.
For a journey through County Kerry's legends and ancient sites, consider these homes for your stay: Limehouse Cottage, Lost Cottage or Sienna.
Devon
Dartmoor
Dartmoor’s wild, misty moorland is dotted with ancient stone circles and menhirs, remnants of activity that link the land to prehistoric ritual. Today, visitors can meander the fog-shrouded tors and valleys, where the magical atmosphere has long inspired tales such as the Hound of Dartmoor, a black dog that haunts the moors.
Exmoor
Exmoor is scattered with barrows and cairns, burial mounds that hint at ancient communities. The moors are also rich in lore, from phantom lights known as Jack o’ the Lantern, said to dance across the hills at night, to the very real Exmoor ponies – wild descendants of prehistoric horses that are regarded as the “soul” of the moor.
If you’d like a luxe base from which to explore these mysterious landscapes, consider Over Lemon River and Penny Black in Dartmoor, or Castle on the Well by Exmoor.
Isle of Skye
Fairy Pools
At the foot of the Cuillin Mountains, this series of waterfalls and crystal-clear pools is supposedly inhabited by faeries. Local folklore tells that the chieftain of Clan Macleod fell in love with a fairy woman, but her father permitted their marriage for only a year. They had a child, yet when the year was up, she returned to her realm.
Old Man of Storr
The Old Man of Storr is one of Scotland’s most iconic rock formations, rising sharply from the Trotternish Ridge. Legend tells that Skye was once a land of giants, and during a great battle, a particularly enormous giant was slain. The land swallowed his body, leaving only his thumb protruding above the ground.
For a stay immersed in Skye’s dramatic scenery, Supernova and Selkie each offer a front-row seat to the island's beauty, complete with saunas.
Eryri (Snowdonia)
Dinas Emrys
Dinas Emrys is a hill featuring the remains of a tower and defensive ramparts. It’s said that Merlin prophesied to King Vortigern, who was building a fortress there, that there were two dragons sleeping in an underground lake below. The dragons awoke, and the red dragon defeated the white, as symbolised on the Welsh flag.
Llyn Tegid
Llyn Tegid, Wales’ largest natural lake, is steeped in mystery. Tales speak of a lost city that was submerged as punishment for the tyrannical king Tegid Foel’s cruelty. Some claim the ruins of his palace can sometimes be glimpsed beneath the glassy surface today and that a mythical creature called ‘Teggie’ dwells in its depths.
All set on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Hinterland Cabin, Ebony Wood and The Outpost make idyllic bases for discovering Welsh legends.
The Lake District
Frosty Ilze and Ian Cylkowski
Ullswater
England’s second-largest lake likely held spiritual meaning for Norse settlers, as its name derives from Ullr, the god of winter and hunting. Ullswater is also reputed to be the place where Excalibur was returned to the Lady of the Lake, while nearby Dunmallard Hill is said to be the burial site of a Knight of the Round Table.
Aira Force
With its 22-metre drop, Aira Force is a dramatic Lake District waterfall. Local legend, recounted in a William Wordsworth poem, tells of Sir Eglamore and his betrothed Lady Emma, who would sleepwalk while he was at war. On his return, he found her wandering near the falls and, when startled awake, she stumbled and fell.
Consider staying at The Tapestry, Skyline or Winterfell if you’re planning a trip to explore the Lake District's folkloric landscapes.
Wiltshire
Hulki Okan Tabak and Valdemaras D
Stonehenge
Stonehenge stands as one of the most iconic Neolithic monuments to survive. Today, visitors can walk around the imposing stone circle and, during the summer and winter solstices, join gatherings that celebrate the sun’s rising and setting, echoing centuries of fascination with the site’s spiritual pull.
Avebury
Avebury Henge and its stone circles form one of the world’s largest prehistoric sites. Built around 2850–2200 BC, it likely hosted ceremonial gatherings, seasonal rituals and astronomical observations. There is a belief that the site lies on powerful energy currents (ley lines), enabling some to sense Earth energies.
If you’re planning a group trip to Wiltshire and its iconic Neolithic sites, Avalon Manor, Ember and Redmere Hall each have plenty of space to sprawl.
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