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Explore - Folklore & Legends

Sturdy's Castle Public House

The Battle of Mr Sturdy and Mr Castle

10 February 2023

Sturdy's Castle, Banbury Road, Tackley

Sturdy's Castle is a pub with a curious name, and an even more curious legend that inspired it.

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Travellers in the snow

Christmas ghosts and talking cats at Idbury Woods

3 February 2023

Unknown woodland near Idbury

Folklorist Katherine Briggs records a strange tale of travellers lost in the snow and harassed by ghosts, who receive assistance from an unusual source!

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A map from 1944 showing Black Jack's Hole

The Legend of Black Jack's Hole

10 January 2023

River Thames between Godstow and Binsey

This bend in the River Thames between Binsey and Godstow is named for a legendary goblin-like figure who was said to lure swimmers to a watery grave!

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A vintage postcard of Shipton-Under-Wychwood

Stolen Skulls at Shipton-Under-Wychwood

1 February 2022

St Mary the Virgin church, Shipton under Wychwood

A humorous local story from 1894 features drunken dares, practical jokes and stolen human remains!

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A map of Taston circa 1896

Thor Stone at Taston

4 January 2022

Taston Road, Taston

This standing stone is said to be all that remains of a lightning bolt thrown to earth by the Norse God Thor!

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Fringford Mill

Corpse Lights at Fringford Mill

9 December 2021

A4421, Fringford

Spooky lights around Fringford Mill have been blamed for causing mishaps and even deaths.

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Woodcut of fairies dancing in a ring

Fairies and Goblins at Adwell Cop

29 November 2021

Adwell Cop, near Adwell, South Oxfordshire

Tales of fairies have long been associated with the long barrow that tops this South Oxfordshire hill.

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Saint Mary's Church, Bampton

Halloween Divination at Bampton Church

23 November 2021

Church Lane, Bampton

If you wished to find out who was going to die in Bampton, you just needed to go to the church at midnight on 31 October!

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