Legends of Durham
Peg Powler
The River Tees is a beautiful river flowing through the landscape of Teesdale in the Durham Dales. But beware of Peg Powler who lurks in the depths. With her green skin, long hair and sharp teeth she will grab the ankles of the unwary standing too close to the water’s edge and drag them under, never to be seen again.
The Brancepeth Brawn
The Brancepeth Brawn was a formidable wild boar, which struck terror into the lives of the locals. Fearless and feared, this brawn stood its ground against any person who tried to tackle it. Discover the slayer who took the Brawn on.
Kirkcarrion, Teesdale
Way back in the mists of time the ashes of a Bronze Age chieftain called Caryn were carried to a remote hill top in Teesdale and buried with all the dignity his tribe could give him. A stone cairn marked his last resting place. Many centuries later a copse of pine trees was planted over his grave, and according to local legend, to visit that burial site today is to stand alongside the ghost of Caryn himself.
The Pollard Brawn
The Prince Bishop was offering a reward to anyone who was successful in slaughtering a wild boar which was rampaging across the Bishop’s estates. The tail turned dark by dishonest hunters leaving the Bishop of Durham to be outwitted.
The Easington Hare
Hunting was a popular pastime in the medieval period. Hunting for food or to hone warfare skills, was simply a way of life. Sometimes something would happen to disrupt the progress of the hunt, and one fine day that was the case in the local fields around Easington.
The Devil’s Lapstone
It is said that the Devil himself offered to help build Durham Cathedral. His evil intention was to construct foundations using crumbly rock which would cause the building to eventually collapse,
killing anyone inside. Discover where the Devil's rock lies.The Sockburn Worm
Sockburn was a village under siege from the ferocious Sockburn Worm, who terrorised locals, devoured livestock and lay waste to the land.
The Weardale Fairies
A young girl goes missing when happening upon a group of fairies in the Durham Dales. Her father tries everything to get her back using three gifts to pacify the fairies for his daughters safe return.
The Old Hell-Cat of Raby
Elizabeth known locally as ‘The Old Hell Cat’, is said to haunt the battlements of Raby Castle, pacing furiously back and forth, knitting with red-hot needles.