Folklore of the Yorkshire Dales
Welcome to our beastly folklore of the Yorkshire Dales!
We’ve given you GHOSTS, we’ve given you WITCHES we’ve given you the DARK HISTORY….
Now, it’s time for the Yorkshire Beasts! The mythical beasts, the fairies, the demon dogs, the hobgoblins the GIANTS…. The WHOLE shebang! Who KNEW the Yorkshire Dales was packed full of so many creatures?!
If you’re into folklore? Then you are in the right place!
Want to know a bit about the history behind folklore?
Right back in the days of yore (I’m sorry, I am now flagrantly referencing Rachel from Friends with my historical periods).
But quite literally, folklore has been around for donkey’s years (another accurate historical time period). It has existed as long as the human race has had the ability to communicate and way before they had the means to record it. There is no defined historic period that can be associated with it, because these stories are a wonderfully organic thing.
Even now, we have folklore being created (ever heard of an Urban Legend?)
The belief in fairies and hobgoblins, in ghosts and demon dogs, in legendary creatures (with far from fairy tale designs) all stem from the human desire to share stories. And they exist today, as much as they did hundreds and thousands of years ago.
Folkloric stories could be derived from the desire to increase the attraction of a place to tourists, perhaps to make it feel a bit more ‘edgy’ and to boost some businesses in the meantime. Some of them are a cautionary tale to frighten folk away from a treacherous place. Some are associated with superstition or provide a way of explaining away natural phenomenon. Some, just a reyt good story to tell down the pub!
But what is fascinating (other than them giving an insight into the minds of the folk of the past) is that they have the infinite ability to reinvent themselves, to be embellished with extra sparkly details, and that is the beauty of the folklore of the UK. And of course, the Yorkshire Dales.
Take a look, what do you think? What can you add to the Folklore of the Dales?
The treacherous Strid at Bolton Abbey
The Kelpie
The Strid Kelpie: Bolton Abbey, Wharfedale
Ah the infamous Bolton Abbey!
And the infamous Strid…. Ever heard of it? Well, let me fill you in!
A treacherous stretch that forces the full volume of the water of the River Wharfe into a tiny narrow channel that’s a literal cauldron of angry water. It’s so narrow, it’s tempting to try and leap across. But if you tried? It would NOT end well.
Not only are the rocks slippery and dangerous, the sheer force of that amount of water being funnelled into a tiny rocky ravine has resulted in a massively deep chasm. A chasm so deep, that there is a lot of speculation as to how deep it actually is, but I can in fact exclusively confirm that the answer is…..
It’s really bloody deep.
Underneath the surface of the violently boiling water are eroded holes, submerged caverns and deep ledges to be trapped under, and if I’ve managed to describe it well, then you won’t be surprised to find that it has claimed lives in the past.
Most notoriously the boy of Egremont, a William de Romilly (son of Alice de Romilly, who resided in Skipton Castle) who reportedly attempted the leap and never made it, back in the 1100’s.
But sadly, also in more recent years too. This really is not a place to be messed with and so in terms of folklore, it’s not surprising that tales have been told to try to explain the danger or to warn folk away from this deadly place.
The legend goes that in the water there lies a beautiful glowing shape-shifting kelpie (a water horse…. Think Frozen 2….. if you know you know). And a vengeful fairy. These two dastardly characters are the baddies of the story, the reason why the fearsome Strid… is quite so ….. well, fearsome!
The Kelpie likes to lure people onto its saddle. Once mounted, you cannot get off and the terrible duo will then take you down, deep into the water and drag you under the ferocious torrent to your demise….
And with a cautionary tale like that (probably exactly why the story was created in the first place)…. Keep out of that there Strid! But why not check out some of the Bolton Abbey trails , they’re far less deadly (although you may encounter a few ghosts along the way instead!)
Ilkey Moor. Folklore says it was home to a Giant.
The Giants
Rombalds the Giant: Ilkley Moor, Wharfedale
Ah I LOVE this story!
So. ‘Rombalds’ is the name given to the whole of a moorland range, including Ilkley Moor (b’aht ‘at and that) Burley Moor, Bingley Moor and Morton Moor. It stretches from Silsden all the way to Hawksworth and it was the home of Old Rombalds the Giant, and his wife.
One day, they had a proper massive barney… I dunno, maybe she was sick of him CONSTANTLY LEAVING HIS SHOES NEXT TO THE SHOE CUPBOARD… or something else (might have been something else).
This argument resulted in old Rombalds trying to leg it across the moor to escape the wrath of the angry wife. But Mrs Rombalds was NOT letting him get away that easily. Oh no! She chased after him chucking massive rocks in his direction (and as I like to imagine, screaming shoe-related obscenities.)
In trying to escape the rock hurling, Rombalds attempted to leap across the valley to the other side and used the rocks of Ilkley Moor to launch himself. In doing so, he cracked the rocks and created the Cow and Calf rocks of Ilkley Moor.
His wife, presumably not arsed to follow, dropped the rocks that she was carrying in her skirt and thus produced the ‘Skirtful of Stones’ on Burley Moor.
Was this story as far-fetched as the well known ‘alien of Ilkley Moor’ who was spotted on the moor by an ex-police officer back in the ‘80s?
I’ll let you decide… perhaps an Ilkley Moor walk will help with that decision making process!
Yordas Cave, the Yorkshire Dales. Folklore also says it was the home of a Giant.
Yordas The Giant: Yordas Cave, Kingsdale near Ingleton
I am taking the giant theme and running with it…. (sorry, Rombalds related pun!)
Yordas Cave is located in the little known Kingsdale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Just up from Ingleton (famous for its waterfall trail and White Scar Cave), Yordas Cave is a lesser known ex-Victorian show cave, which coincidentally used to be the home of old Yordas the Giant, and this was why it was given this name (so they say).
This Nordic Giant was said to have used the cave as a home, probably owing to the fact that it is bloody gigantic inside and there is a version of the story that says he had a penchant for eating children. Why on earth a Nordic giant decided to set up shop in a Yorkshire cave, I don’t know. Possibly, he was on holiday… OR…
The other explanation for the name is that it is derived from the Norse ‘jord ass’ which means ‘earth stream’….
Now, the fact that there is a ruddy giant waterfall inside the Chapter House of Yordas Cave, and that there is a stream running right the way through the middle of it COULD explain the ‘earth stream’ thang.
And the construct of a Nordic Giant living there, might well have given the boost that this once profitable Victorian Show cave needed to have appeal to more tourists… well, I wouldn’t like to speculate.
Bloody great cave though! Check out how to get to Yordas Cave by tapping the link!!
The cave floods after heavy rain, so do not attempt to access under those conditions. Take wellies and a couple of strong torches if you choose to enter in more clement weather, as the water runs right the way through the middle and you will get wet feet!
Trollers Gill in the Yorkshire Dales. Folklore says it is the home to trolls and a demon dog!
The Demon Dogs
The Barghest of Trollers Gill: Skyreholme in Wharfedale
It is time….
Enter…… THE DEMON DOGS!
Trollers Gill is known for two folkloric characters, the trolls (hence the name) and the demon dog, or Barghest as it is more formally known.
The story goes that the deep limestone ravine that runs up from Skyreholme in Wharfedale is plagued by rock throwing trolls, who climb to the heady heights of the gorge and aim for those walking through it.
Trollers Gill is an intriguing place. Not only is it the home of legendary beasties, but it is also the home of a mainly dry river bed. Because underneath the ground, lies a network of caves and tunnels that under usual circumstances means the water runs underneath the ground and reappears at the bottom. It’s only after prolonged heavy rain that the underground world floods and the water spills out into the gorge.
No wonder that this curious place is the home of not one, but two creatures.
The second is the demon dog. The tale goes that back in the late 1800’s, a local dude attempted to test the story of this horrifying barghest and headed out to see if he could find it.
He found it alright. He was discovered the next day by a shepherd, who found he had strange bite marks across his body and sadly, he hadn’t survived the night.
It’s said that the tale of the Barghest of Trollers Gill was an inspiration for the Hounds of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Whether or not that claim to fame is more folklore than fact… I’ll leave it up to you!
Want to walk the walk of the Demon Dog? OF COURSE YOU DO! Head to our Trollers Gill walk, that co-incidentally takes you past Hell Hole too. Boom.
Ivelet Bridge in Swaledale
The Barghest of Ivelet Bridge: Swaledale Yorkshire Dales
Ever heard of Ivelet Bridge in Swaledale?
It’s seriously, THE most fun bridge to drive over EVER! But not only that, this steeply humped back bridge dates back to the 1687 and is a Grade II listed structure.
It is a stunning place to visit, to pull up and have a paddle or a swim.
But it has a far more macabre past, as the old 16 mile Coffin Route (the routes taken by pall bearers in the most remote parts of the country to carry the deceased to the nearest cemetery) ran right across the bridge running between Keld and Grinton. The old coffin stone can still be found on the far end of the bridge, this is a place where the carriers would place the coffin and take a break.
It is not the home of a human spirit though, but a Demon Dog, a Barghest, who when he appears on the bridge, brings a terrible fate for any who saw him.
So as you’ll see, the Yorkshire Dales is fraught with bloody Hellhounds! You can find a rainbow version over in Grassington (I like the sound of him), another in Dob Park near Otley…. and in Aysgarth too!
So watch out, there’s Barghests about!
Elbolton Hill is ‘full’ of folklore
Fairies and Goblins
Elbolton Hill, near Burnsall in Wharfedale
This weird moundy lump is located just outside of Linton near Grassington and Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales.
It’s pretty easy to spot because it kinda stands out from the crowd as being a grassy lump rather than a rugged moor.
And that’s probably why it was given an equally weird and wonderful story to explain it being different from the rest…
Fairies. Obvious conclusion.
Yes, Elbolton Hill is a hill full of fairies, but not your Tinkerbell types. Oh no.
These fairies exist only to lure an unwary traveller to their doom by shining their ‘corpsie’ lights, drawing the walkers away from the beaten tracks and presumably into one of the dips or caves of the hill.
I mean I am ALL OVER the fairy theory….. but the real reason it is so ‘moundy’ is not because of the fairies but is because of the fact that it used to lie at the bottom of a warm sea and what you see today is actually the remains of a reef knoll. It is simply an accumulation of prehistoric coral, algae, and subaquatic creatures that created the strange mound shape you see today, and all that ancient fertiliser is why it’s so grassy.
It’s also why it has its own cave too! LIMSTONE! The reason why the Yorkshire Dales is cave country! And the reason why you’ll find seashell fossils so far from the coast.
Elboton Cave is located near to the summit cairn of the hill and was used as a prehistoric burial chamber. The bones found there are on display at the Craven Museum over in Skipton.
It’s not accessible though, unless you want certain doom (or unless you are an experienced caver), but you can go and see the entrance, which is fenced off (presumably so those fairies don’t get blamed for somebody falling in!)
Want to walk? Check out our Elbolton Hill walk.
Janet’s Foss in Malham where the Queen of the Fairies lives
Janet, the Queen of the Fairies: Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Now this tale is one that is a classic Yorkshire Dales fairytale, and a tale that spans well over 250 years.
Janet’s Foss is a popular and very pretty waterfall in Malham. It is popular with hikers and swimmers alike, and is the home of the legendary Janet, Queen of the Fairies who lives in the cave behind the waterfall.
If you have ever visited Janet during the Summer months you will be TOTALLY on board with this tale as the whole area is a vision in Green. From the moss covering the rock of the waterfall, to the canopy of trees overhead, to the unusually clear almost turquoise quality of the water in the pool below. This place is literally the stuff of dreams (as long as you go before the crowds arrive and ignore the litter they leave behind - sorry – my biggest bug bear… if you decide to go, take your litter picker to help the cause!)
But there’re always two sides to any story, and in some versions of this tale, Janet has been given a more terrifying alter ego...
But let’s start at the beginning shall we?
A beginning, which began…. well nobody really knows actually. I have read SO many versions of Janet, or Jennet or Gennet, however you want to spell her name, but her cave-home has been the stuff of legends for as long as people have written about her.
A very clever writer Kathrine Langrish, has recently put a lot of time and effort into researching the history of the legend of Janet Queen of the Fairies, and I highly recommend giving her detailed Janet Queen of the Fairies blog a read if you are interested in the nitty gritty details of the history (thank you to Stuart Gledhill, who runs the Facebook wild swimming group, The Dales Dippers for sending me this over!).
She traced the earliest record referring to Jennet’s Cave to 1786 in the writings of local schoolmaster Thomas Hurtley’s book about Malham. In this book, the legend was very much secured in history, and was longstanding in local folklore. But nobody knew where the legend actually started! (Cool right?)
Aside from her being ENTIRELY factual…. and obviously the queen of all things fairy (I like this theory the best) there are many explanations offered to justify Janet’s Legend.
Climbing up to the main pool of Janet's Foss, to the right of the falls you can see 'Jennet's Cave' which appeared as such on a 1853 Ordnance Survey map.
The seemingly most likely, is that Janet is the Yorkshire Dales equivalent of the folkloric water demon, Jenny Greenteeth, who lurked at the bottom of pools ready to pray on young children who stray too close to the edge or enter the water. These tales were cautionary, to try and deter children from playing near what could be a potentially dangerous place.
Her evolution from an evil water dwelling spirit to a cave-dwelling fairy, well that could be for a whole host of speculative reasons, which we will never know the real answer to. One common reason for the ‘polishing’ of a cautionary tale, to make it a little more palatable is tourism. Whether this is the case here, we don’t know.
But another, more modern day description of Janet, puts her firmly back into the category of terrifying water demon…
These tales will tell you that Janet is not your friendly type at ALL! She is a green wraith like figure, who will show you visions of horror should you enter the water… she has terrorised several unwitting dippers, and appears as a green mist hovering over the water, leaving her victims unable (or unwilling) to describe the visions they were shown by Janet.
These are more terrifying versions of Janet’s story, claiming the water of Janet’s Foss is in fact haunted, the most recent account of this being dated as recently as 2016 (source: Haunted Yorkshire: Nick Tyler).
Now, I’ve entered the water at Janet’s Foss on many MANY occasions (even at night…. even…. on my OWN… I mean that in itself should shock you the most given the popularity of the waterfall). But no green mist for me…. I’m firmly in camp Tinkerbell when it comes to the Queen but if you want to test the waters for yourself, head to our Janet’s Foss walk and have a quick read of our safety information and tips. LEAVE NO TRACE!
The Buttertubs in Swaledale (don’t worry, these are the shallow end!)
The Hobgoblins, Buttertubs: Swaledale
The Hobgoblins of the Yorkshire Dales remind me of Dobby the House Elf from Harry Potter. They were helpful around the house if you treated them well, but they were NOT happy if you didn’t and would cause mischief aplenty.
And in a departure from the JK Rowling version, Hobgoblins who were SUPER cross turned into Boggarts (picture if you will…. tiny hobgoblin versions of the incredible Hulk..) and they would hide in the dark places; the water carved gorges, the caves and the potholes being all smouldering and angry and stuff… Places like The Buttertubs in Swaledale.
These awesome phenomena appear on the side of Buttertubs Pass, crossing between Wensleydale and Swaledale, and are a series of limestone potholes that reach about 25 metres below the surface at their deepest point (rest assured the above picture was taken at the shallow end of the Buttertubs pool!)
They are apparently called the Buttertubs because they used to be used as a ‘fridge’ for butter back in the day.
Wonder if those Hobgoblins appreciated that?!
You can park up and see the Buttertubs on Buttertubs pass, what 3 words handrail.deflation.bolts.
The Kilnsey Fairies: Kilnsey, Upper Wharfedale
These guys stepped straight out of an Enid Blyton novel and showed themselves to a traveller passing by in Kilnsey (we’re talking days of Yore here. Yes that’s YORE, don’t get confused with yesteryear… ) they were dancing in a field under the famous climbers’ paradise, Kilnsey Crag, and left a fairy circle of toadstools behind… CLASSIC fairy story right there!
Want to head to Kilnsey? It’s like the hub of Dales outdoor adventures! Why not head to Kilnsey Park or take a pony trek with Kilnsey Pony Trekking Centre?
Grimwith Reservoir, just above Dibbles Bridge (Or Devil’s Bridge)
The Devil Bridges
Dibbles Bridge: under Grimwith Reservoir, Wharfedale
Not far from Elbolton Hill and Trollers Gill lies Dibbles Bridge, the bridge that crosses the River Dibb near Grassington (also one of the shortest rivers in the UK)
And did you know that Dibbles Bridge was built by the Devil?
Known locally as Devil’s Bridge, this bridge was allegedly built by Satan himself as a favour for a local shoemaker, who had had a drink with him.
I mean… given the Devil’s reputation, it seems he was feeling in a pretty generous mood on this day!
Sadly, Devil’s Bridge has a pretty dismal reputation as being the site of the UK’s worst traffic accident, when the brakes failed on a coach killing 32 people who were paying a visit to the Dales back in 1975. And some 50 years earlier in 1925, the same thing happened, as the brakes failed on another coach, killing 7 people.
Super sad stories indeed.
Want to walk it? Why not head to Grimwith Reservoir, just above Dibbles Bridge
Devil's Bridge crossing the River Lune at Kirkby Lonsdale
Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale
It wasn’t just Dibble’s Bridge that has an association with Beelzebub. No. Apparently, there was a lot of dealing with the Devil in these here Yorkshire Dales parts!
Devil’s Bridge in Kirkby Lonsdale was another Devil designed structure. The story behind this bridge begins with a lady losing her cow to the other side of the river. (I ask HOW did the cow get across the river when the woman couldn’t?! Well I guess actual logic, reason or sensibility never really plays a part in these here legends eh?!)
Anyway. In total dismay, the woman called upon the help of the Devil to help her get her cow back and he, in return built her a bridge. The price of such dastardly dealings? The Devil would claim the soul of the first living creature to cross the bridge. Check out the Devil, being all devil-like and all.
Turned out that the Devil had underestimated the woman, who despite not being able to fathom out how to get her cow back, COULD come up with a plan to outsmart the Devil. Rather than cross the bridge first herself, she sent her dog (poor dog).
The Devil was pretty annoyed about that actually.
The End.
Hell Gill Bridge, Mallerstang
Ready for some more Devil Construction sites?
Enter, Hell Gill Bridge in Mallerstang. This utter beaut of a location boasts its very own Devil built bridge. This time spanning the incredibly beautiful Hell Gill.
Hell Gill by name, Hell Gill by nature. After heavy rain, the beck absolutely RAGES through this narrow rocky chasm. In drier times, it is the place of dreams for adventurous souls, who scramble their way down the rocky ravine, negotiating its plunge pools, and traversing it’s rocky edges that are hung with draping greenery, sheltered by towering trees high up above.
Hell Gill…. oooooh I LOVE this place. It’s like something out of an Indiana Jones movie.
Anyway, less about the drama below, more about the drama above! Yes, Hell Gill was of course built by the Devil, who was having a RIGHT mare crossing the aptly named Hell Gill. He built the original bridge using stones he collected from the top of the mountains above. There is a pile of rocks nearby attributed to the Devil’s construction. Apparently he didn’t need those ones…
You can take a walk to Hell Gill in Mallerstang to check out that messy old Devil for yourself.
The Vampire Stone set at the doorway of St Andrew’s Church in Dent
Vampires
The Dent Vampire: George Hodgson
Do you see the picture Above?
That is the headstone of George Hodgson, the Dent vampire and what a story he has!
Old George died at the ripe old age of 94 back in 1715. A pretty decent lifespan for the 18th Century! OBVIOUSLY nobody could do anything out of the ordinary (like achieve any kind of longevity) without some superstition being flung their way, so his long life was put down to a diet of sheep’s blood and therefore…… ultimate conclusions… he was a vampire (obvs!)
(I mean what even IS a legend if we don’t make some GIGANTIC leaps to conclusions eh?)
Old George passed away, was mourned and buried in the usual fashion in the churchyard of St Andrew’s in Dent…. UNTIL….
There was a series of mysterious deaths in the area, long after poor old George’s death and thereafter followed a few claims that some of the village folk had seen George floating around at night, even after his demise. (Definite Vampiric behaviour if you ask me!)
So wham bam and before you could even say Interview with a Vampire, George was exhumed from his grave at the edge of the graveyard in St Andrew’s churchyard to be examined posthumously.
His exhumed state was something of a surprise to those who examined him, as he was found to be pink and healthy, with his hair and nails having grown despite being loooooong gone.
So, not satisfied that he was dead enough…. he was buried again, this time next to the church door with a brass stake through his heart.
The stone, and the square top of the brass stake can still be seen today, but what about George?…
The ruins of Pendragon Caslte in Mallerstang
King Arthur (and all that…)
Pendragon Castle
Tucked away in one of the most remote parts of the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find the ruins of Pendragon Castle.
Yes, THE Pendragon Castle.
Legend has it that this castle was built by Uther Pendragon back in the 5th Century, who was the father of King Arthur. Him and 100 of his men were allegedly poisoned here, after the Saxon invaders contaminated the water supply (although this could well….. get it? ‘well’…. not be true. Ahem. Sorry about that).
One of my favourite legends of this place is that there is rumoured to be treasure buried beneath the ground of Pendragon Castle, which is protected by a phantom black hen, who replaces any soil disturbed in an attempt to recover the treasure.
That, as well as the rumour that the ruins are of COURSE haunted by Uther and later resident Hugh de Morville, who was one of the knights that murdered Thomas Beckett in 1170. The castle was later owned and restored by Lady Ann Clifford (of Skipton Castle and Bolton Abbey fame) before falling into ruin.
The ruins are located on private land, but are open to visitors free of charge. There is a handy little parking area directly opposite. Well worth a stop on a wild journey through Mallerstang!
Lammerside Castle, just down the road from Pendragon
Can’t mention Pendragon and not mention it’s neighboring castle, Lammerside that you will find just a stone’s throw away!
Lammerside Castle has one foot in the Giant category and one foot in King Arthur’s Category! So here it is.
Lammerside is a 12th Century castle, the ruins of which you will find on the side of the Pennine Journey footpath in Mallerstang near the River Eden. This castle was the home of the giant, Sir Tarquin and Lammerside was reportedly his mythical castle of Dolorous his home.
Apparently he ate children.
Well I guess he was a giant. Seems like a pretty standard giant diet to me.
And on that note….
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Yorkshire Dales Ghosts Fan?
Or maybe you prefer a bit of Witch based history….. We’ve got you covered with our special Halloween Yorkshire Dales blogs!
Sources:
Haunted Yorkshire Dales: Summer Strevens
Haunted Yorkshire: Nick Tyler
The Dent Heritage Centre