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You are here > Home > Inspire Me > Durham's Unmissable Highlights > Legends of Durham

Legends of Durham

Myths and legends from across the great county of Durham.

We’ve gathered together some of our favourite tales Durham’s fascinating past into one big book of Durham stories for you to enjoy.

  • River Tees

    Peg Powler

    The River Tees is a beautiful river flowing through the landscape of Teesdale in the Durham Dales. But beware of Peg Powler who lurks in the depths. With her green skin, long hair and sharp teeth she will grab the ankles of the unwary standing too close to the water’s edge and drag them under, never to be seen again.

    Find Out More

  • Brancepeth Castle

    The Brancepeth Brawn

    The Brancepeth Brawn was a formidable wild boar, which struck terror into the lives of the locals. Fearless and feared, this brawn stood its ground against any person who tried to tackle it. Discover the slayer who took the Brawn on.

    Find Out More

  • Durhams top 10 ghosts

    Kirkcarrion, Teesdale

    Way back in the mists of time the ashes of a Bronze Age chieftain called Caryn were carried to a remote hill top in Teesdale and buried with all the dignity his tribe could give him. A stone cairn marked his last resting place. Many centuries later a copse of pine trees was planted over his grave, and according to local legend, to visit that burial site today is to stand alongside the ghost of Caryn himself.

    Find Out More

  • Durhams top 10 treasures

    The Pollard Brawn

    The Prince Bishop was offering a reward to anyone who was successful in slaughtering a wild boar which was rampaging across the Bishop’s estates. The tail turned dark by dishonest hunters leaving the Bishop of Durham to be outwitted.

    Find Out More

  • Easington Hare

    The Easington Hare

    Hunting was a popular pastime in the medieval period. Hunting for food or to hone warefare skills, was simply a way of life. Sometimes
    something would happen to disrupt the progress of the hunt, and one fine day that was the case in the local fields around Easington.

    Find Out More

  • Devil's Stone Castle Eden

    The Devil’s Lapstone

    It is said that the Devil himself offered to help build Durham Cathedral. His evil intention was to construct foundations using crumbly rock which would cause the building to eventually collapse,
    killing anyone inside. Discover where the Devil's rock lies.

    Find Out More

  • Sword

    The Sockburn Worm

    Sockburn was a village under siege from the ferocious Sockburn Worm, who terrorised locals, devoured livestock and lay waste to the land.

    Find Out More

  • Durhams top 10 gardens

    The Weardale Fairies

    A young girl goes missing when happening upon a group of fairies in the Durham Dales. Her father tries everything to get her back using three gifts to pacify the fairies for his daughters safe return.

    Find Out More

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