Cornish Folk Tales of Place: Traditional Stories from North and East Cornwall

Anna Chorlton retells traditional stories rooted in North and East Cornwall, where rugged coasts, moors, tors and sandy shorelines provide the settings. The collection includes reports of powerful mermaids, spiteful witches, crafty smugglers and woeful ghosts, alongside mischievous piskeys, huge giants and elusive beasts.

Each tale begins with a description of its associated place, connecting the storytelling to Cornwall’s physical landscape. The stories range from accounts of wonder, miracles and secrets to darker encounters and local magical traditions. Illustrations by Cornish school pupils, local artists and members of the community add another layer of place-based interpretation, reflecting the book’s links with contemporary Cornish creative life.