Cumbrian Folk Tales

Cumbrian Folk Tales gathers stories rooted in the landscapes, characters and traditions of Cumbria, from Long Meg and John Peel to hobs, fairy figures and the oak men. Taffy Thomas retells tales shaped by the region’s oral culture, including accounts connected with the Lake District’s haunting legends and local history.

Among the named stories are The Hunchback and the Swan, The Screaming Skulls of Calgarth, the Millom Hob Thross, Hughie the Graeme, Cumbrian Crack and Billy Peascod’s Harp. Ghost stories sit alongside fairy tales and historical traditions, preserving a varied body of Cumbrian folklore while keeping its memorable characters, settings and storytelling rhythms in view.