About the Author.
Derbyshire Folklore is authored and curated by - Derbyshire born and bred - Simon Unsworth. Simon has had a keen interest in history, folklore and mythology almost all his life, since first hearing Viking tales at junior school. He is a keen storyteller and is the owner of the Original Nottingham Ghost Walk, which has been running for over 30 years. He also has a thing about ravens.

Simon is a keen walker and you might well see him wandering the hills, with his two dogs, Ivy and Freyja, as well as other dogs, most often his grandson-dog, Bilbo, amongst others. You'll also find him in in any number of the classic pubs that litter the area.

About Derbyshire Folklore.
This site is designed to comprise an ongoing record of the folklore, myths, legends and general curiosities of Derbyshire and the Peak District. It is also here to help fill in that 'Derbyshire-shaped hole' that exists in so many books about English and British folklore, myths and legends.

The information used on this site is collected from many sources and great credit should be given to all those authors who came before and have spent years collecting information, often 'straight from the horse's mouth'. Whilst I try to put as much information on here as possible, many of the articles merit entire books of their own, so, please use this website as a springboard for your own research. To that end, I have included below an extensive bibliography of all the sources I have used. The references not listed are those that I just picked up along my way.

​Contact Us
Derbyshire Folklore is for everyone, no matter where you are from. Please fill out the form below:
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• For general enquiries.
• To submit your own material.
• To enquire about talks to your group.

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You can also call us on 07968648950

LINKS

FOLKLORE SITES:

• The Folklore Society: https://folklore-society.com/ - A learned society devoted to the study of traditional culture in all its forms, including music, dance, narratives, customs, and beliefs.
• English Heritage - Telling Tales: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/tellingtales/ - Explores the myths, legends, and folklore of England, connecting these stories to historical sites and events.
• Mysterious Britain & Ireland: https://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/ - A gazetteer of folklore, myths, legends, and paranormal phenomena in Britain and Ireland.
• The Folklore Podcast: ​https://www.thefolklorepodcast.com/ - Probably the best folklore podcast in the UK, exploring various aspects of folklore with a mix of storytelling and discussion.
• Loremen Podcast: ​https://www.loremenpodcast.com/ - Two comedians "investigate" local legends and forgotten folklore.
• Tales of Britain and Ireland: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/ - A podcast and storytelling project focusing on folktales, myths, and legends from across Britain and Ireland.
• Norfolk Folklore Society: https://www.norfolkfolkloresociety.co.uk/ - Focuses on the folklore of Norfolk, including local legends and ghost stories.
• The Faerie Folk: https://thefaeriefolk.libsyn.com/ - A podcast that explores the myths and legends of the UK.
• Fairytalez: https://fairytalez.com/region/english/- A great collection of Enlgish folk tales.

VISITING DERBYSHIRE & THE PEAK DISTRICT

• Peak District Online: https://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/ - Offers information on various aspects of the Peak District, including some mentions of myths and legends associated with the area.
• Visit Peak District & Derbyshire: https://visitpeakdistrict.com/ - The official tourism website for the region, which sometimes touches upon local folklore and stories related to specific locations.
• Peak District National Park: https:/www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/home/www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/home - Official site for the Peak Park Authority.
• Peak District .Org: https://www.peakdistrict.org/ - A comprehensive guide for visiting the Peak District.
• Let's Go Peak District: https://letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/ - An excellent visitor guide.

GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS, eBOOKS & JOURNALS:
​ 

• Andrews, W. (1892) Bygone Derbyshire [PDF]. Forgotten Books (2013). https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/BygoneDerbyshire_10099789.
• Bailey, S. (2019). The Old Roads of Derbyshire. Leicestershire: Matador
• Bradbury, E. (1884) All about Derbyshire [PDF]. Forgotten Books (2013). https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/AllAboutDerbyshire_10284309​
• Bradley, R. (2023). The A-Z of Curious Derbyshire. Cheltenham: The History Press.
• Burne, C. S. (1915). Scraps of folklore collected by John Philipps Emslie. Folklore, 26(2), 153–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/0015587x.1915.9718868 
• Cantillon, Z. and Baker, S. (2022) ‘Ketch Yorlye Daun Paradise: Sense of place, heritage and belonging in Norfolk Island’s Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area’, Thesis eleven, 172, pp. 93–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/07255136221133185 
• Daniel, C. (1974) Ghosts of Derbyshire. 2nd edn. Nelson, Lancashire: Dalesman Books.
• Eisenberg, E. (1992) Tales of Old Derbyshire. Newbury: Countryside Books (GB).
• Harte, J. (2023) Cloven country: The Devil and the English Landscape. Reaktion Books.
• Henderson, M.P. (2011) Folktales of the Peak District. Amberley Publishing Limited.
• Litchfield, Richard. (2024) FOLK TALES OF THE PEAK. Storrington: Country Books.
• Menefee, S. P. (1974) The ‘Merry Maidens’ and the ‘Noce de Pierre’, Folklore, 85:1, 23-42, https://doi.org/10.1080/0015587X.1974.9716531
• Merrill, J.N. (1992) Legends of Derbyshire. Matlock: Trail Crest Publications Ltd.
• Roud, S. (2003) The Penguin Guide to the superstitions of Britain and Ireland. London: Penguin.
• Scollins, R. and Titford, J. (2000) Ey up mi duck!: Dialect of Derbyshire and the East Midlands. Newbury: Countryside Books (GB).
• Seymour, J. (2012) The lore of the land. MBI Publishing Company.
• Simms, N. (1978) Ned Ludd's Mummers Play, Folklore, 89:2, 166-178, https://doi.org/10.1080/0015587X.1978.9716105
• Simpson, J. and Roud, S. (2003) A Dictionary of English Folklore, Oxford University Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780198607663.001.0001.
• Stone, R. (2001) Hidden Derbyshire. Newbury: Countryside Books.
• Tongue, Ruth L. (1968) Letter to the Editor, Folklore, 79:4, 308-309, https://doi.org/10.1080/0015587X.1968.9716607

WEBSITES:

• Bird Spot (2025) One for Sorrow ... Magpie Nursery Rhyme | Bird Spot. https://www.birdspot.co.uk/culture/one-for-sorrow-magpie-nursery-rhyme. [Accessed 24 May 2025]
• Bretgaunt, V.A.P.B. (2023) Dancing stones and peeing giants: the folklore of ancient sites in Derbyshire. https://buxtonmuseumandartgallery.wordpress.com/2021/12/10/dancing-stones-and-peeing-giants-the-folklore-of-ancient-sites-in-derbyshire/. [Accessed: 3 March 2025].
• Brotherton, B. Y. P. (no date) Celtic place-names and archaeology in Derbyshire, Archaeologydataservice.ac.uk. Available at: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-2300-1/dissemination/pdf/125/DAJ_v125_2005_100-137.pdf [Accessed: 29 February 2024].
• Browning, H. and Veit, W. (no date) What’s it like being a raven or a crow? https://theconversation.com/whats-it-like-being-a-raven-or-a-crow-257171 [Accessed: May 24, 2025].
• Dale Abbey (ruin) - Wikiwand (no date). https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Dale_(Stanley_Park)_Abbey. [Accessed February 2025]
• Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. (2019). Annals of Horeston and Horsley. [pdf]. Available at: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-2300-1/dissemination/pdf/010/DAJ_v010_1888_016-027.pdf [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Derbyshire Heritage. (no date). Doll Tor Stone Circle. [online]. Available from: https://derbyshireheritage.co.uk/towns-and-villages/birchover/ [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• Derbyshire Heritage. [no date]. Cratcliffe Hermitage. [online]. Available at: https://derbyshireheritage.co.uk/curiosities/cratcliffe-hermitage/ [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Discover Derbyshire and the Peak District. (no date). Birchover. [online]. Available from: http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/birchover.htm [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• Francis, J. (2024) 'Dicky's Skull - The Peak District legend uncovered,' Explore Buxton, 12 October. https://explorebuxton.co.uk/dickys-skull-peak-district/. [Accessed 13th June 2025].
• Fluidadmin (2023) Yew Map Tree Register | Ancient Yew Group. https://www.ancient-yew.org/yew-map-tree-register/.
• Geograph. (no date). St Anthony's Well, Coxbench. Available at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/591290 [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Hall, S.T. (1863). Days in Derbyshire. [pdf]. Forgotten Books. Available at: https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/DaysinDerbyshire_10287143 [Accessed 15th January 2021].
• Heathen and mythological elements in English place-names. [no date]. Germanic-studies.org. https://germanic-studies.org/Heathen-and-mythological-elements-in-English-place-names.htm [Accessed February 10, 2024]
• Henrik, T.N. (2021). Robin Hood's Stride (Harthill). [online]. Available from: https://www.irhb.org/wiki/index.php/Robin_Hood%27s_Stride_(Harthill) [Accessed 15th January 2021].
• Hermit’s Well, Dale Abbey, Derbyshire (2016). https://megalithix.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/hermits-well-dale-abbey/. [Accessed January 2025]
• Historic England. (no date). Callow prehistoric settlement and field system, Carr Head Moor, 300m ENE of Toothill Farm, Hathersage - 1017506 | Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017506. [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Historic England. (1993). Cratcliff Rocks defended settlement. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1008006 [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Historic England. (1993). Nine Stone Close small stone circle. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1008007 [Accessed 17th January 2021].
• Historic England. (1994). Castle Ring defended settlement. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1008005 [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Historic England. (1994). CROMFORD BRIDGE (OVER RIVER DERWENT). [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1263846 [Accessed 25th January 2021].
• Historic England. (1994). Harthill Moor bowl barrow. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009435 [Accessed 15th January 2021].
• Historic England. (1994). Horsley Castle tower keep castle. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009293 [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Historic England. (no date). Bronze Age burial, ceremonial and settlement remains on Stanton Moor, and evidence for medieval, post-medieval and 19th to early 20th century activity. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009300 [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• Historic England. (no date). Church of St Clement. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1109138 [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Historic England. (no date). Doll Tor stone circle and cairn. [online]. Available from: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017664 [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• Historic England (no date) Carl Wark slight univallate hillfort, Non Civil Parish - 1017504 | Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017504. [Accessed January 2021]
• Historic England (no date) Toad’s Mouth prehistoric field system, Non Civil Parish - 1017507 | Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017507. [Accessed January 2021]
• Historic England (no date) Cairns at Winyards Nick, 680m WSW of Carl Wark Hillfort, non civil Parish - 1018069 | Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018069. [Accessed January 2021]
• Hocart, A. M. (1948) Turning Into Stone, Folklore, 59:2, 84-88, DOI:10.1080/0015587X.1948.9717889
• Hood, A. (2023) The Doxey Pool Mermaid – the legend of Jenny Greenteeth. https://www.gopeakwalking.co.uk/the-doxey-pool-mermaid-the-legend-of-jenny-greenteeth/. [Accessed 20th April 2025]
• Howitt, R. (1840). The Gipsy King & Other Poems. [pdf]. London:Thomas Arnold. Forgotten Books. https://www.forgottenbooks.com [Accessed 13 February 2024] 
• Jewitt, L.F.&W. ed. (2019). The Ballads & Songs of Derbyshire. [Kindle PC]. Glasgow: Good Press. Available at: Amazon.co.uk <https://www.amazon.co.uk/> [Accessed 26 January 2021]
• Knight, M. (2023) Transforming the Trent Valley. https://www.thetrentvalley.org.uk/projects/tttv-heritage/drakelow-vampires/ (Accessed: May 24, 2025).
• Knight, S. & Ohlgren, T.H. eds. (1997). Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudesley: Introduction. [online]. Available from: https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/adam-bell-clim-of-the-clough-william-of-cloudesley-introduction [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Lane, M. (2011) ‘The moment Britain became an island’, BBC, 14 February. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12244964 [Accessed: 26 February 2024].
• Mesolithic (2018) East Midlands Historic Environment Research Framework. Available at: https://researchframeworks.org/emherf/regional-overview/the-mesolithic/ [Accessed: 26 February 2024].
• Myers, A. M. (no date) An archaeological resource assessment of the Mesolithic in Derbyshire, Researchframeworks.org. Available at: https://researchframeworks.org/emherf/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/MesolithicDerbyshire.pdf [Accessed: 26 February 2024].
• Our Nottinghamshire. (no date). http://www.ournottinghamshire.org.uk/page_id__955_path__0p2p215p.aspx [Accessed 11 February 2024]
• Peak District Online. (no date). Birchover. [online]. Available from: https://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/birchover/ [Accessed 14th January 2021].
• Peak District Online. (no date). Spooky Stories of the Peak District. [online]. Available from: https://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/spooky-stories-of-the-peak-district/ [Accessed 14th January 2021].
• Rowtor Rocks. [no date]. Cheshirenow.co.uk. http://www.cheshirenow.co.uk/rowtor_rocks.html [Accessed February 10, 2024]
• Saltman, A. (no date) The History Of The Foundation Of Dale Abbey Or The So-Called Chronicle Of Dale [pdf] Archaeologydataservice.ac.uk. Available at: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-2300-1/dissemination/pdf/087/DAJ_v087_1967_018-038.pdf [Accessed 17 February 2024].
• Seddon, P. (2020). The History of T’Owd Man in Wirksworth. [online]. Available at:  https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/homes-and-gardens/places-to-live/the-history-of-t-owd-man-in-wirksworth-6517686 [Accessed 25th January 2021].
• Sheldon, N. [no date]. The Real Robin Hoods: 5 Outlaw Gangs of Medieval England. [online]. Available from: https://historycollection.com/real-robin-hoods-5-outlaw-gangs-medieval-england/ [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Sikes, W. (1880). British Goblins. 2nd Ed. [pdf]. Forgotten Books. Available at: https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/BritishGoblins_10020529 [Accessed 26th January 2021].
• Spencer, R. (2015). The Wirksworth Stone, St Mary’s Church, Wirksworth, Derbyshire. The Journal of Antiquities. [blog]. Available at: https://thejournalofantiquities.com/2015/10/06/the-wirksworth-stone-st-marys-church-wirksworth-derbyshire/ [Accessed 26th January 2021].
• Stone-Circles.Org.Uk. (no date). Doll Tor. [online]. Available from: http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/dolltor.htm [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• Stone-Circles.Org.Uk. (no date). Stanton Moor Introduction. [online]. Available from: http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/stantonmoor.htm [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• Streetlist. (no date). The Rockety in Coxbench. [online]. Available at: https://www.streetlist.co.uk/de/de21/de21-5/the-rockety [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Tacagni, G. (no date). Rowtor Rocks. Ludchurchmyblog. [blog]. Available from: https://ludchurchmyblog.wordpress.com/places-further-afield/rowtor-rocks/ [Accessed 14th January 2021]. 
• The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (1998) Janus | Myth, Meaning, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Janus-Roman-god (Accessed: June 9, 2025).
• The Hemlock Stone. (2018, January 16). Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-hemlock-stone-stapleford-england [Accessed 11 February 2024]
• Thistleton-Dyer, T.F. (1889). The Folklore of Plants. [pdf]. Forgotten Books. Available at: https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/TheFolkLoreofPlants_10004316 [Accessed 24th January 2021].
• Thistleton-Dyer, T.F. (1889). The Folklore of Plants. [pdf]. Forgotten Books. Available at: https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/TheFolkLoreofPlants_10004316 [Accessed 24th January 2021].
• Ugc (2025) 'Little John’s grave,' Atlas Obscura, 23 May. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/little-johns-grave. [Accessed February 2025]
• Ugc (2025) 'Toad’s mouth,' Atlas Obscura, 16 May. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/toads-mouth. [Accessed February 2025]
• University of Nottingham. [2021]. Key to English Place Names. [online]. Available at:  http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Derbyshire/Cromford [Accessed 25th January 2021].
• Visit Peak District. (2022,). Higger Tor & Carl Wark. Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/inspiration/blog/read/2020/04/discover-the-amazing-secrets-of-carl-wark-in-the-peak-district-b141 [Accessed  November 22]
• Wikipedia. (2020). Horsley, Derbyshire. [online]. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsley,_Derbyshire [Accessed 10th February 2021]. 
• Wikipedia. (2021). A38 road. [online]. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A38_road#:~:text=When%20first%20designated%20in%201922,with%20the%20A30%20at%20Bodmin. [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Wikipedia. (2021). Gargoyle. [online]. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Wikipedia. [2020]. Ruth Tongue. [online]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Tongue [Accessed 24th January 2021].
• Wikipedia. [2021]. River Derwent, Derbyshire. [online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Derwent,_Derbyshire [Accessed 24th January 2021].
• Wikipedia contributors (2025) Black dog (folklore). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_dog_(folklore). [Accessed 12th May, 2025]
• Wirksworth history (2020) Peak District Online. Available at: https://peakdistrictonline.co.uk/wirksworth-history/ [Accessed: 22 February 2024].
• Woodland Trust. (no date). Ancient woodland. [online]. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/ancient-woodland/ [Accessed 10th February 2021].
• Wright, A.W. [no date]. The Bad Guys. [online]. Available from: https://www.boldoutlaw.com/realrob/real-robin-badguys.html#:~:text=But%20in%20the%20time%20of,Not%20exactly. [Accessed 16th January 2021].
• Zhuwakinyu, M. ed.(2012). Mining folklore. Mining Weekly. [online]. Available at: https://www.miningweekly.com/article/-1970-01-01-65 [Accessed 26th January 2021].