Folklore and Fairytales
With today marking the Summer Solstice (21 June), there’s no better time than now to explore Kent’s rich folklorian history. A county filled with magical tales and legendary landscapes depicted in the stories and artwork inspired by it, this summer is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Kent’s interactive history and atmospheric locations on one of these magical solstice days out.
By definition, fairytales are magical and idealised stories about places and the beings that inhabit them, though they are just one distinct genre within the realm of folktales. Originating from popular culture and passed on by word of mouth, our entire world is built upon these stories, whether through bedtime tales of Red Riding Hood or smalltown whispers of ghosts floating across nearby fields.
For those in need of a mythologically inspired day out, here is our mystical map of the county that brings local legends, midsummer customs and storytelling heritage into actual destinations you can visit.
The Maze & Underground Grotto at Leeds Castle, Maidstone
A building steeped in over 900 years of history, Leeds Castle is renowned for its grand interior, glorious scenery and 500 acres of parkland to discover. A one-of-a-kind maze just a short walk from the main castle, The Maze & Underground Grotto is the most mystical of all places at Leeds Castle.
To embark on a magical journey underground and discover the twists and turns of the grotto, you’ll first have to navigate through 2,400 yew trees to the centre of the maze before venturing down some stony steps to its magical heartbeat where thunder claps and mythical creatures will lead you through the grotto and back above ground. If you look closely enough, you’ll see a sculptured fountain of a green face with all-seeing eyes; a mysterious folklore character known as the Green Man, he is often depicted in the pillars of churches or above the doorsteps of people’s homes when not overlooking Leeds Castle’s grotto. Originating from pre-Christian times, many have connected his foliage-covered motif to Dionysus, the Greek god of forests. Symbolising rebirth, it’s said that the Green Man is a protector from evil forces, and a reminder of the resilience of nature. Though, he doesn’t look too friendly when his eyes glow fluorescent red…
Reculver Towers and Roman Fort, Reculver
Dominating the skyline of Herne Bay, the twin towers of Reculver’s medieval church have long been a navigation marker for ships at sea. Once the site of an early Roman fort built against the Saxon raids, they then became the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery and soon after the parish church for Reculver. In the 12th century, the tall towers were built during a remodel of the church and, almost a millennium later, walkers, hikers and history enthusiasts still visit the ruins of Reculver’s Roman fort.
Today, the towers and fort are a hotspot for photographers looking to capture their presence over the cliff-dressed landscape. With low tide being the best time to explore the beach, many choose to visit at sunrise or sunset when the entire area glows with pink, blue and golden hues of light. From rock pools and rare butterflies to flourishing flora and soaring birds, it’s no wonder that Reculver has an air of natural mysticism and intrigue that its visitors so deeply seek to capture, especially during our hemisphere’s longest hours of daylight.
Ightham Mote Circular Walk to Oldbury Hill, Sevenoaks
A medieval manor house hidden away in a secluded Kent valley, Ightham Mote was built almost 700 years ago using Kentish ragstone and great Wealden oaks. Where tranquil gardens are watered by natural springs near to a beautiful orchard, the wider estate offers storybook walks with secret glades and countryside views.
With the Mote Cafe on your left-hand side, visitors can proceed through the wooded parking area to a gap in the fencing signposted with a green walk marker. Following a path along Mote Road and into the mixed woodland, walkers will soon pass quaint cottages, flourishing fish ponds and an old quarry dating back to Roman times. Most intriguing of all is the ancient watering hole, which may look like a pond and spring to the naked eye, but has been known by locals as a spot where fairies and nymphs dance across the water. As you explore the ancient woodlands, make sure to look out for toadstools or rings of mushrooms round trees, as those are said to be signs that fairies are near.
Kit’s Coty House and Little Kit’s Coty House, Aylesford
Two megalithic dolmen chambers – a type of tomb with a large flat stone laid upon upright ones – these two monuments are some of the most mystical in Kent. The larger of the two, Kit’s Coty consists of three upright stones with a huge capstone, whereas Little Kit’s Coty remains as a jumble of around 20 sarsens. Stones that are much like the ones you’ll find at Stongehenge, they are believed to have been constructed during the early Neolithic period as communal burial sites.
Offering stunning views across the Medway Valley and North Downs, these two chambers stand in open fields for visitors to explore. Built long before any reliable records could be made, many locals speculate their origin and what secrets they could be concealing underneath the ground. To make a day of the adventure, at the nearby Eynsford Castle, you’ll also be able to see the walls of a Norman enclosure stood within the village. Home to the Lullingstone Roman Villa, visitors can gain a unique perspective into domestic life in Roman times or pick up a souvenir of the day from their gift shop. An area rife with history, you’ll likely hear whispered myths of guardian spirits and ancient kings when exploring these Kentish long barrows.
Image by: Ray Lewis
Blean Woods Nature Reserve, Canterbury
Part of a stretch of ancient Kentish woodlands that can be traced back to around 1600, Blean’s woodlands are a popular spot for birdwatchers in the county. A patchwork of high forest, glades and heathland, birds such as nightingales and woodpeckers tend to dwell in the dense thickets of the woods. With flat conditions across a variety of walking routes, Blean Woods are best enjoyed in the summer months when the sunlight dances through the leaves of its birch, oak, hornbeam and hazel.
In particular, English oak has a long history within European folklore and was sacred to the ancient Greeks, Celts and the Norse. A sacred wood burnt by the druids for their midsummer sacrifices and often associated with Thor, the god of thunder, lightning and storms, oak woodland is as majestic to walk through as the storybooks suggest. For those on the lookout for evidence of fairies, it’s said that tying a ribbon to a tree and making a wish will grant you their good favour. Though, for an option a little more friendly to the forest, why not build a little house out of twigs and leaves for the fairies to enjoy?
Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells
A ruined medieval castle with a Victorian mansion house and picturesque garden, Scotney Castle is one of Kent’s most popular spots in Kent to embrace the magic of the summer season. Perfect for families and those with four-legged friends, Scotney Castle’s 780-acre estate has plenty of exhilarating walks to enjoy, as well as a shop and tearoom for refreshments on warm summer days. For those intrigued by the folklorian history of the castle, visitors have reported seeing ghostly, weed-covered figures climb out of the moat before vanishing.
By the visitor entrance, you’ll also find a secondhand bookshop filled with pre-loved titles from just 50p each. With shelves of fiction, non-fiction and collectable editions, younger ones can head over to the children’s corner and search for books about all manner of mystical creatures. Storybooks in hand, visitors can wander through the estate to find a place to rest and read. From the quarry garden and woodland glade to the heather-thatched icehouse and hidden walkways, the edges between wild and manicured nature are blurred into a magical outdoor display.
The Fairy Elf Village at Jeskyns Community Woodland, Gravesend
Home to 360 acres of newly planted woodlands, orchards and meadows, Jeskyns Community Woodland is a former farm that has been transformed into a mixture of traditional and modern landscapes. Fit with children’s play areas, a cafe and a network of surfaced walking trails, a visit to Jeskyns is an exciting day out for all ages – a lovely place for children to explore, it’s said a community of elves and fairies have recently moved into their own village within the woodland!
Just 500m from the cafe on a surfaced trail, folklore enthusiasts will discover their tiny new residences which include the Acorn Apartments, Mushroom Manor, Tree Top Village and The Old Boot Inn. From mischievous pixies to helpful brownies and swift little sprites, this little village is home to all manner of fantastic fairies. Though it’s unlikely they’ll be fluttering outside of their houses in the daytime, if you look closely enough at the canopy above the trail, you might even spot some tree-dwelling dryads or tiny elves running across the woodland’s carpet of grass, brambles and buttercups.
Pluckley Village Hall, Ashford
Lauded as the most haunted village in Britain, Pluckley is a beautiful and historic location that boasts panoramic views across the Weald. And with a tapestry of blanketed woodland, ancient churches and meandering pathways, it’s no wonder that tales of the supernatural blossom there. Within its paranormal portfolio, visitors will be sure to learn about The Screaming Man who can apparently be heard on foggy nights, The Red Lady seen wandering amongst the graves at St. Nicholas’s churchyard and the echoes of a ghostly horse and carriage that trots through the village’s main street. Another series of iconic sightings have been of The White Lady, an apparition that wanders over the grounds of the now-destroyed Dering family house’s library. According to a Mr Walter Winan, one Christmas Eve she vanished through a panelled wall that allegedly led to a tunnel between the house and St. Nicholas’s Church.
Some attribute this heightened supernatural activity to Pluckley’s connection with ley lines; invisible, mystical lines of energy that connect sacred landmarks across the country. To others, the local legends have simply become more intricate over time. But for those brave enough to explore, they might get to discover the why for themselves…
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