Mysterious Britain & Ireland is a resource and community website dedicated to mysterious places, legends and folklore of the British and Irish Isles.
Robert Burns and Folklore
Robert Burns was born on the 25th January 1759 during the ‘Age of Enlightenment’ but also in a time when the country superstitions and supernatural beings were an integral part of folk belief. The landscape of Burns’ was one where the natural rhythms of nature were much more intertwined in the day to day of working life. Read More »
St Valentines Day
14 February - An ancient festival dedicated later to St Valentine. It is associated with love and marriage. In the past some of its customs involved looking into the future to try and reveal the identity of future partners.
C.O.T.C Paranormal Investigations
C.O.T.C Paranormal Investigations was founded in 1996 by Stacey Logan, Stuart Logan and Adrian Lloyd-Briden, all having a keen interest in the paranormal and all having experienced the supernatural. Read More »
ASSAP: The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomolous Phenomena
The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP) has been investigating the weird seriously (and the seriously weird) since 1981. Our main aims are paranormal research and education. Anomalous phenomena include psychic phenomena, UFOs, Forteana and earth mysteries. Read More »
Wassailing The Apple Trees - Carhampton
Wassail originates from the Old English "waes hael", meaning "be well". It is a mulled cider or ale seasoned with honey and spices. Wassailing the apple trees is a traditional way of blessing th etrees to ensure a good harvest. Villagers would gather around the apple trees making a racket to awaken the tree spirits and scare away any lingering deamons. The strongest tre Read More »
Recent Additions
The Nun of Covent Garden
Covent Garden (or Convent Garden) was a 40 acre area owned by the Abbey of Westminster that was used as a market garden in the Middle Ages. It was managed through the issuing of leases by the Abbot of Westminster until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VII between 1536 and 1541, when it was taken by the state and eventually passed into the private ownership of the Earl of Bedford. Read More »
Ye Olde Axe, Hackney Road
Managing to cater for multiple tastes by being a combination of a traditional pub, nightclub and a strip joint, Ye Olde Axe at 69 Hackney Road is a Grade II listed, three story, Victorian pub (circa 1850) which has been described as one of the ‘odder venues’ in Shoreditch. However, in 1979, buried bodies were discovered by workmen and it also gained a reputation of being haunted. Read More »
Dean Street Townhouse
69 Dean Street is a Grade II listed, 18th century four storey Georgian Townhouse. It is currently called the Dean Street Townhouse, a new nine bedroom hotel and restaurant, which opened on 24 November 2009. Prior to being opened as a hotel, 69 Dean Street was home to the Gargoyle Club which had a reputation of being haunted by one of King Charles II famous mistresses, Nell Gwyn (Gwynne). Read More »
Covent Garden Underground Railway Station
Covent Garden Station opened on 11 April 1907 and serves the Piccadilly Line. It is said to be haunted by the apparition of a tall man wearing white gloves, a top hat and a frock coat and grey suit. This figure has been reported many times since the 1950’s though recent sightings are uncommon. He has been seen in the tunnels and the staff rest room. Read More »
The Spaniards Inn
Dating from 1585 the Spaniards Inn on Spaniards Road is a listed building and was built to accompany a tollhouse on the boundary of the Bishop of London’s estate. It is said the father of famous highwayman Richard (Dick) Turpin (1705 – 7 April 1739) was landlord of The Spaniards Inn and that Dick spent much time here, probably watching the road for potential coaches to rob. Read More »
RAF Scampton
RAF Scampton reopened in 1936 (originally having opened as Home Defence Flight Station Brattleby in 1916, renamed Scampton in 1917 and closed in 1919) and at the outbreak of World War II it was transferred to Bomber Commands No. 5 Group, being the base for 83 Squadron, 49 Squadron, 57 Squadron and 617 Squadron (the Dambusters). Read More »
Keats House
Keats House is a museum based in a building that was originally two semi detached houses known as ‘Wentworth Place’. Read More »
The Thomas a Beckett Public House
The Thomas a Beckett Public House at 320 Old Kent Road is no longer open for business (now the Nolias Art Gallery) but the building still remains and it ihas a rare and rich heritage, even without the ghosts. Old Kent Road partially follows the route of what was Watling Street (the Roman road). The pub got its name due to it being so close to what was St Thomas-a-W Read More »
Featured Sites
Bulnaraun of Clava
The Clava Cairns - or more correctly Bulnaraun of Clava - is one of the best preserved Bronze Age burial sites in Scotland. There are three cairns here, two with passage ways aligned to the Midwinter sunset, and all with more subtle features, incorporated to reflect the importance of the South-west horizon. Read More »
Crossraguel Abbey
The ruins of this relatively little known abbey are remarkably intact, and stand in a part of Ayrshire steeped in history. As well as being historically interesting there are many enigmas associated with the abbey, which could well be worth further research. There may have been a Pictish site here, and some people suggest that the abbey may have a Templar connection. Read More »
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