Our journey into the wild heart of Cornwall began on a foggy morning on Dartmoor. After a night of creepy noises (and the discovery of a newly acquired snoring habit), we made our way to Buckfast Abbey. This impressive monastery, founded by King Canute, was rebuilt stone by stone by exiled French monks after its destruction by Henry VIII. We discussed how this incredible spiritual resurrection gave rise to the abbey's infamous tonic wine—a drink with its own wild folklore.
Into the Mines and Woods
Venturing deeper into the Cornish landscape, we visited Carnaby's Caverns to talk about the brutal history of tin mining. This dangerous work gave birth to one of Cornwall's most famous legends: the Knockers. These small, gnome-like spirits were heard by miners deep underground, sometimes warning them of a cave-in, and other times leading them astray. As the industry declined, these miners migrated and took the spirits with them, where they evolved into the Tommy Knockers of the American West.
We then drove to Golitha Falls, an ancient woodland on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Here, the landscape is alive with faerie folk and a primal kind of mystery. We shared the tragic tale of King Doniot, who drowned here in 875 AD, and the legend of the Lady of the Falls, a spectral figure forever tied to this sorrowful spot.
Stones, Pools, and Ancient Curses
From the woods, we followed the trail of ancient stones, visiting the Hurlers and the Pipers—men who were turned to stone for playing the traditional Cornish sport of hurling on a Sunday. We also made our way to Dozemary Pool, a body of water steeped in dual legends. It is said to be the resting place of King Arthur's Excalibur, but also holds a darker secret. It is where a wicked lawyer named Jan Tregeagle is condemned to an eternity of torment, trying to empty the pool with a limpet shell.
The Road of Ghosts and Smugglers
As we traversed the desolate stretch of the A30 across Bodmin Moor, we encountered legends born of a darker history. The road was a stage for Judge Jeffreys' "Bloody Assizes," a merciless judicial massacre in 1685. This grim past seems to have given rise to modern folklore, including the Hairy Hands, disembodied hands that grab the steering wheels of passing cars. We also talked about the most famous resident of the moor, the elusive big cat known as the Beast of Bodmin.
Our journey ended at the legendary Jamaica Inn. Built in 1750, this isolated inn was a notorious hub for smugglers and wreckers, whose secrets were buried beneath its floors. It's also the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's classic novel, Jamaica Inn, which cemented the inn's dark legend. But the history and literature are only half the story. The inn is also one of the UK's most famous paranormal hotspots, haunted by spectral coaches, a murdered smuggler, and even ghostly children.
Pirates and Witchcraft
To wrap up our deep dive into Cornwall's dark heart, we talked about a figure who truly bridges crime and the supernatural: Captain John Piers. A ruthless 16th-century pirate, his success was whispered to be due to his mother, Ann Piers, who was accused of witchcraft while trying to sell her son's stolen silver. The local belief was that she used dark powers to aid his plundering. It’s that raw intersection of human desperation and the very real belief in unseen forces that makes this story, and all of Cornwall, so unique.
Stay with us as we continue to explore more places where Cornwall's deep history and its wyrd beliefs collide!