More legendary adventures
The collection of myths and legends in this book have been shaped by hundreds of years of rich history and beloved folklore woven into the fabric of its landscapes.
And while the tales live on in our imaginations, passed from generation to generation, you can still visit many of the locations, buildings and landscapes today.
In fact, if you’ve enjoyed these adventures, why not take the next step? Standing in the presence of mystical beasts, fabled castles, and haunted places is as breathtaking as it is thrilling.
And, of course, visiting them has never been easier, with all of them accessible from the train and the legendary Great Western Railway network.
Don’t forget to tell them your journey’s been inspired by our Line to Legend Land book!
Herne the Hunter – Various locations, Windsor Great Park
For the brave traveller, the ancient Windsor Great Park is home to the spectral and ghoulish protector, Herne the Hunter.
Amongst the ancient oak grove where 'Herne’s Oak' once stood, visitors can witness the famed dusk mist. A thick fog is known to descend upon the woodland, exactly like it did in the legend of Herne the Hunter.
As well as a number of historic walks, such as the Long Walk up to Windsor Castle and Queen Anne's Ride, the avenue to Ascot Heath, there is a thousand years of history to drink in here.
The statue of King George, the famed Copper Horse, and the handcrafted adventure playground are some of the park’s most beloved attractions.
But heed the warning, when the dusk mist descends, if you hear the sound of a hunting horn, maybe take cover. The ghostly Wild Hunt could be upon you.
Keen ghost-spotters can reach the park from Windsor & Eton Central railway station.
The White Horse of Uffington - Oxfordshire
At over 3000 years old, Uffington's White Horse is Britain's most ancient chalk-cut landmark. People travel from all over the world to see the majestic beast with their own eyes, and you can too.
The horse isn't the only attraction near White Horse Hill. Visitors can also see Dragon Hill, where St. George slayed the legendary dragon, discover Neolithic burial grounds that have sat in the hillside for millennia, and even stop by the home of the legendary blacksmith Wayland.
Hike along The Ridgeway, which is also Britain's oldest road, and you’ll come to the ancient longbarrow structure, known as Wayland's Smithy, which is where the famed smith lived and worked.
Many visitors also partake in kite flying or birdwatching, with the area being famed for its hawks and birds of prey.
Just don't take your eyes off the great horse for too long. As the legend says, when nobody is looking, it can come alive and gallop away.
Take the train to Great Western Railway’s Didcot Parkway or Swindon stations. Uffington is a short bus or taxi ride away. Then you can climb to the top of the world-famous hillside to get up close and personal with a guardian of the land.
The Ghost of Gloucester Cathedral – Gloucester
Right in the heart of Gloucester, the towering cathedral spires can be seen from miles around.
The moment you enter the Great Nave, the giant Norman pillars are hard to miss. Although it’s not known which one the titular ghost is sealed inside, you can certainly investigate and come to your own conclusion.
You can, however, take a look at the Mason’s Bracket featuring carvings of the boy's tragic story.
The Great Cloisters is another must-see part of the cathedral. This section of the building was used as a filming location in a number of the Harry Potter films.
Other attractions are the Tribune Gallery exhibition, the Monk’s Kitchen, and a variety of hidden carvings and gargoyles, which are very much worth hunting down.
Rumours of the boy’s ghost appearing are few and far between, but just to be safe, maybe take some dice or a deck of cards in case he wants to play.
For those wanting to visit the historic site and maybe spot one of its famed ghosts, the building is a short walk from Gloucester station.
Prince Bladud and the Hot Springs - Bath
The location is now home to the ancient Roman Bathhouse, which was built to expand the original bathing spot depicted in legend. At the doorway to the Great Bath itself, in tribute to his legend, is a statue of Prince Bladud and one of his pigs.
While here, you can also visit the Roman Temple and the museum, where you can find a variety of artefacts from Roman times, including treasure hoards and the famed bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva.
Bath Abbey is also just around the corner from the baths. The beautiful former monastery is well worth a visit while in the city.
One experience that is not to be missed is to take a soak in the hot springs yourself. The modern Thermae Bath Spa has several pools and baths where you can immerse yourself in the very thermal waters that Bladud discovered centuries ago.
The legendary site where the great healer Prince Bladud discovered the famed hot springs is just a five-minute wander from the Bath Spa railway station.
Goram & Vincent – Various locations, Bristol
The two giants, Goram and Vincent, made quite an impact on the landscape of Bristol and the Avon Valley.
Today, Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge connect the two sides of The Avon Gorge, hundreds of feet above the river that now flows at its base. If you walk across the bridge, you get a spectacular view of the great trench that the brothers cut with their axes.
You can also take a boat tour and visit both the Steep Holm and Flat Holm islands in the Bristol Channel. As legend states, these isles were formed when Goram submerged himself in the estuary. In visiting them, you can rightly claim that you have literally stood on the shoulders of a giant.
Next to the gorge is the Clifton Observatory, where you can look through the rare Camera Obscura or descend into the legendary Giant’s Cave. Here you can see the mighty ravine through a hole in the cliff face.
Then you can venture further down the valley to the Clifton Downs, which are an ideal place for a picnic with a view. There is also a visitor centre that provides fascinating displays of how the mighty Bridge was built.
Whichever part of the area you visit, it's hard to miss the lasting effects that the two legendary brothers had on the region.
Take the train to Bristol Temple Meads, then connect to Clifton Down for a short walk to the bridge. From there, you can explore the area and judge the evidence of the brothers’ squabbling for yourself.
King Arthur’s Camelot - Cadbury Castle, Somerset
As one of the most beloved legends of all time, the story of King Arthur is known worldwide. For those wanting to visit locations from the tale, where could be better than the Castle of Camelot itself?
Known as Cadbury Castle, you can walk around the Bronze Age ramparts and take in a 360-degree view of the beautiful Somerset Levels.
Standing high above the land once known as the Kingdom of Camelot is a fantastic experience. The famed tales of Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table all happened here.
For the intrepid explorer, adventures into the region can continue along either the Macmillan Way or the Leland Trail. Both routes pass a variety of locations featured in the Arthurian legend, including Glastonbury, the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.
A real must for anyone wanting to walk in the footsteps of the world's most legendary King.
Cadbury Castle, the town of Glastonbury and the famous Tor are just a short bus or taxi ride from Castle Cary railway station.
The Red Dragon of Cardiff - Cardiff Castle
The spectacular Norman keep where the Red Dragon is sleeping a sight to behold, and can be found right in the centre of the Welsh capital.
The great protector is rumoured to be lying in wait under the mound beneath the castle, ready to come to the country's aid if ever it is needed.
Also at the site, visitors can explore the intricately decorated Castle Apartments and hunt for the beautiful dragon carvings hidden throughout.
While in Cardiff, you can also explore the Roman Wall remains, visit the Firing Line military museum, tour the WWII battlement tunnels and enjoy the wide-open spaces of Bute Park. All of them are easily accessible once you are in the city.
Steeped in a rich history and graced with countless beautiful landmarks, it’s plain to see why the Red Dragon chose Cardiff as its eternal home. When you pay the sleeping beast a visit, make sure you listen out for any rumblings that could signal his return.
The Castle is just over 10 minutes' walk from Cardiff Central train station.
The Vengeance of the Fairies - The Gower Peninsula
High on the cliffside, overlooking Three Cliffs Bay, is the ruin of the once great Pennard Castle. This cautionary relic was left buried by its former residents as a warning to respect these magical lands and all who live within them.
Here you can walk around the fallen castle and its former grounds before hiking down the dunes to Three Cliffs Bay, one of Wales’ most beautiful beaches.
Alternatively, you can adventure along the Wales Coast Path to reach the Oxwich Bay nature reserve, or simply explore the surrounding limestone caves that the coastline is famed for.
Wherever you decide to explore in The Gower, make sure you keep a keen eye out for any of the region’s magical residents. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to join in the merriment of one of their legendary festivals.
You can visit the ruins of Pennard Castle by getting a train to Swansea station, with plenty of local transport options to reach the famed the famed Gower cliffs.
The Mermaid of Zennor - Cornwall
The ancient church in the village of Zennor has been a site of worship for over 1400 years. Now known as St. Senara’s, the site's most famous story is the legend of a mermaid with a beautiful voice.
Many lovers of folklore visit the church each year to see the location featured in the tale, and you can too. When exploring the church and its grounds, one of its most famous attractions is the hand-carved seat, known as the Mermaid's Chair. The wooden pew features an image of a beautiful mermaid holding a comb and mirror, immortalising the legend for all to see.
The South West Coastal Path can be joined from the village and offers some of the most dramatic cliff-top hiking in Cornwall, with views of Gurnard’s Head. In the summer, the clear waters are perfect for seal spotting from the granite boulders along the shore.
If you keep your eyes peeled and you’re lucky enough, you might even see the bright green flash of a mermaid's tail amongst the breaking waves.
The closest train stations to Zennor are Penzance or St Ives, where you can hop on a bus or hike along the coastal pass to reach the ancient village.
The Miracle Dolphin of Mevagissey - Cornwall
When the little fishing village of Mevagissey was going through hard times, with no fish to catch, they needed a miracle. A miracle is what they got.
To visit Mevagissey, the home of Smiley, the Miracle Dolphin, is still a fishing port to this very day, and down in the harbour you will be able to witness the modern-day fishermen landing their catch. Still blessed with full nets.
Other key attractions are the tiny aquarium based in the old lifeboat house, as well as the Mevagissey Museum, where you can see a variety of artefacts from the village's maritime history.
If you want to get a better view of the legendary coast, you can take a ferry trip across the bay to Fowey. Passengers on the deck of the boat are often treated to dolphin sightings, leading many to wonder if the pods swimming alongside them could be the descendants of Smiley himself.
Jump on the train top St Austell station and then hop on a 15-minute bus to the historical village.