Bringing History to Life – Ribble Valley School Author Visits with Sophie

Sophie’s Best-Kept Secret author visits offer Ribble Valley schools a unique and engaging way to connect children with local legends, folklore, creative writing, and storytelling. With The Best-Kept Secret set in Clitheroe, Sophie brings a personal link to the area, creating a deeper connection with the children in the Ribble Valley as they explore the magic of their own surroundings and the rich history which shapes their environment.

Clitheroe Castle, illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret The Best-Kept Secret, holds a special resonance for children across the Ribble Valley as every page is filled with sights and experiences they will recognise from their daily lives. From Clitheroe's bustling streets and the Castle Keep to Pendle Hill, the local parks, familiar shops, and much-loved annual events.

School Author Visits in the Ribble Valley

Sophie delivers an unforgettable experience with highly interactive author sessions based on her book The Best-Kept Secret. Her engaging storytelling, with costumes for all, atmospheric music, and special effects, transports students into a fantastical world of witches and dragons rooted in rich history and local legend. Children eagerly take on roles, don witches' hats, and help conjure a baby dragon from a bubbling cauldron filled with mystical fog.

Sophie's Ribble Valley school author visits also feature an exciting immersive creative writing workshop designed to inspire young minds through hands-on activities such as:

• Reimagining Realms – A sensory journey to spark imagination and enrich descriptive writing using blindfolds.

• The Bare Bones – A structured yet fun approach to building compelling stories.

• Stagecraft – A dynamic role-playing exercise focused on ‘show, not tell’ techniques.

• Dragonlore – A unique sensory experience featuring magical props to create vivid descriptions, including a wooden box containing a dragon claw, dragon teeth, and dragon scales.

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In addition to The Best-Kept Secret, Sophie introduces students to Magic in the Mundane, a virtual whistle-stop tour of the Ribble Valley’s hidden secrets, folklore, and legend through storytelling, music, animation, and film. Sophie ensures that each presentation is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school.

Clitheroe King Street Illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret The Best-Kept Secret holds a special resonance for children across the Ribble Valley Every page is filled with sights and experiences they will recognise from their daily lives. From Clitheroe's bustling streets and the Castle Keep to Pendle Hill, the local parks, familiar shops, and much-loved annual events.

Pendle Hill, Ribble Valley, Illustrated by Eli John for The Best-Kept Secret

Ribble Valley School author visits: Magic in the Mundane

'The magic of The Best-Kept Secret isn’t just in the story; it’s in the way it ignites children’s imaginations, encouraging them to think about their world differently'

With a dragon on their doorstep, Magic in the Mundane takes on a whole new meaning for the children in schools across the Ribble Valley! Beyond the dragon, Sophie brings the region’s rich folklore and legends to life, inspiring students to see the extraordinary in the everyday. This engaging part of the Best-Kept Secret author visit immerses children in the Ribble Valley's local history with tales of boggarts, Jinny Greenteeth, and other eerie creatures that have shaped the area’s past.

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐬."

Boggarts: From Bowland to Balderstone The eerie woodlands, moorlands, and hidden corners of the Ribble Valley are said to be the perfect hiding spots for boggart! Boggarts are a key part of Lancashire folklore, said to lurk in old mills, farmhouses, and shadowy woodland paths- In fact, they’re so ingrained in Lancashire that places like Boggart Bridge carry their name! These mischievous spirits are known for causing trouble—moving objects, creating strange noises, and jumping out from behind trees or bushes just to give you a good scare! Some tales describe boggarts as shapeshifters, able to take on different forms to trick and confuse the locals. Others speak of their more sinister side, with stories of boggarts stealing babies and swapping them for boggart babies, 'changelings'.

The Changeling, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Ribble Valley Author Visit

The Skriker’s Haunts: From Whalley Abbey to the Banks of the River Ribble As Sophie guides the children through local legends, she introduces them to the Skriker, an infamous creature from Lancashire folklore. She explains how the Skriker was sometimes invisible but would also appear as a massive black dog with giant paws, its footsteps eerily echoing like "squelchy old shoes walking in the mud." Sophie captivates the children with the chilling details of how the Skriker was believed to bring bad luck and, many centuries ago, was thought to prowl the grounds of Whalley Abbey, graveyards and the misty banks of the River Ribble, where its ominous presence and high-pitched howls sent shivers down the spines of all who crossed its path.

The Black Shuck, Whalley Abbey created by Sophie, for The Best-Kept Secret author visits schools in the Ribble Valley

Jinny Greenteeth: Lancashire’s Legendary Water Witch

The children are also introduced to Jinny Greenteeth, one of the most well-known characters in Lancashire folklore. Jinny is a mischievous freshwater spirit said to haunt ponds, reservoirs, and rivers in Lancashire, including The River Ribble, The River Hodder and the River Calder in the Ribble Valley. She’s not your typical fairy, though—Jinny is known for her green mossy skin and for never, EVER visiting a dentist!

Some stories tell of her as a helpful spirit, watching over the waters and guiding lost travellers with her lantern. But in other tales, she’s more eerie and spooky, luring people closer with false promises of hidden treasures. With a flash of green and a ripple in the water, she loves to surprise anyone who ventures too near. So, if you’re ever out for a walk along the riverbank, keep a safe distance but keep an eye out for that glimmer of green—you may just catch a glimpse of Jinny Greenteeth herself!

The Legend of Jinny Grrenteeth, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Ribble Valley Author Visit

The Ribble Valley's Ties to the Witch Trials

At the start of Sophie’s author visits, students are introduced to the Lancashire witch trials, with Elizabeth Demdike—a key character in Sophie’s book The Best-Kept Secret—setting the stage. This introduction then leads into Magic in the Mundane, where Sophie connects the witch trials to the Ribble Valley's own significant links to the events in 1612,

The Gateway to Pendle: Folly, Fairy Gateway or Alien Portal?

The session ends with a visit to the Gateway to Pendle, at the foot of Pendle Hill, a place of intrigue and magic. Could this simple arch, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, be a fairy gateway or portal to another dimension? Sophie encourages the children to see the world around them differently, reminding them that the most magical stories are often hidden in plain sight.

Gateway to Pendle, created by Sophie for Ribble Valley School Author Visits

Sophie ensures that every school author visit she undertakes in the Ribble Valley is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school. Whether the school is in Clitheroe or one of the outlying villages, Sophie tailors her sessions to reflect the unique folklore, history, and myths of the area. In a school in Gisburn, for example, Sophie shared the story of Jennet Preston, the Gisburn witch who was accused of causing the death of Thomas Lister. She then took students on a journey through Gisburn Forest, exploring its mix of woodland and bogland—home to boggarts, shape-shifting spirits who were said to live in marshland, holes, and under bridges. Sophie also delved into the legend of Robin Hood and his enemy, Sir Guy of Gisburn, drawing links to the discovery of an ancient sword at Bomber Camp just outside Gisburn.

Why Choose Sophie’s Author Visits for Your School in The Ribble Valley?

Designed for primary schools in Lancashire and beyond, Sophie’s school visits inspire young minds by showing them the magic hidden in everyday life, sparking their imagination, and helping them craft their own stories. Her author visits, workshops, and storytelling activities align with key areas of the curriculum, including literacy, history, poetry, and local legends. However, Sophie’s ultimate goal is to ignite a passion for reading, sparking children’s imaginations and fostering a deep, lasting love for books that will stay with them throughout their lives.

​We offer Ribble Valley Primary Schools:

​​

FREE school author visits for small or struggling schools 

​

School author visits, half-day and full-day sessions starting at £175 for a two-hour author session, including an interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, Magic in the Mundane and an immersive creative writing workshop)

​

Virtual school author visits for £125

​

Suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Primary School Children For more information, including testimonials, photos, and pricing, click here For more details on the content of the creative writing workshops and The Best-Kept Secret interactive storytelling author session, click here.

Contact Us

Bringing Local Legends to Life – School Author Visits in Burnley with Sophie

Unlock the magic hiding in everyday places with Sophie’s Magic in the Mundane school sessions, ideal for primary schools in Burnley and across the UK.

Sophie brings Burnley folklore and legends to life with Magic in the Mundane, inspiring students to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. This short yet engaging part of the Best-Kept Secret author visit immerses children in Burnley’s rich local history with tales of boggarts, Jinny Greenteeth, and more. Alongside Magic in the Mundane, Sophie also delivers an immersive creative writing workshop and a lively, interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, complete with costumes for all, props, and all the magic of storytelling. Tailored to suit schools in Burnley, across the UK, and beyond, each session is a unique, dynamic, and immersive experience.

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐬."

Magic in the Mundane. A Best-Kept Secret author session bringing folklore and legend to life.

Burnley school author visits: Boggarts and Broomsticks 

The children are first taken into the heart of Thursden Valley. Thursden Valley, on the outskirts of Burnley, takes its name from the Old English word ‘Thurs,’ meaning goblin —literally, the ‘Valley of the Goblins.’ It’s the perfect setting to explore the mischievous world of boggarts!

Boggarts are a key part of Burnley’s folklore, said to lurk in old mills, farmhouses, and shadowy woodland paths- In fact, they’re so ingrained in Burnley’s history that places like Boggart Bridge carry their name! These mischievous spirits are known for causing trouble—moving objects, creating strange noises, and jumping out from behind trees or bushes just to give you a good scare! Some tales describe boggarts as shapeshifters, able to take on different forms to trick and confuse the locals. Others speak of their more sinister side, with stories of boggarts stealing babies and swapping them for boggart babies, 'changelings'.

The Changeling, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Burnley Author Visit

The Boggart and the Hen

In the heart of Towneley Park, Burnley, stands Boggart Bridge, steeped in local legend. According to folklore, a fearsome boggart once haunted this bridge, demanding gifts from those wishing to cross. Terrified, the townspeople struck a deal: they promised the soul of the next living being to cross the bridge in exchange for peace. The clever villagers sent an old hen across, and upon claiming its soul in a puff of sulphur, the boggart vanished, never to be seen again. To ensure the boggart never returned, the locals planted evergreen shrubs nearby, as part of the agreement was that the boggart would stay away as long as the trees remained green.

The shapeshifting Boggart of Nogworth Cross

Nogworth Cross is a historic site near Shay Lane and Todmorden Road in Lancashire. All that remains today is the base of the cross, relocated in 1909. But according to local legend, something sinister lies beneath it… Long ago, a troublesome shapeshifting boggart haunted the area, causing chaos with its pranks. The locals became fed up with the mischief, so they trapped the creature beneath Nogworth Cross, keeping it sealed away. But when the cross was moved, some wondered whether the boggart had been disturbed—perhaps escaping once more to cause trouble in the shadows.

Burnley Hand Bridge: Secrets in the Stone

And then there is Hand Bridge, a seemingly innocuous bridge many children walk over on their way to Turf Moor. Sophie challenges them to look closer at the strange symbols etched on the stone, sparking imaginations as they wonder if they are Egyptian Hieroglyphics or something even more mysterious—perhaps a message from another time or place.

Hand Bridge Burnley, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Burnley Author Visit

Jinny Greenteeth: Lancashire’s Legendary Water Witch

The children are also introduced to Jinny Greenteeth, one of the most well-known characters in Lancashire folklore. Jinny is a mischievous freshwater spirit said to haunt the waters of ponds, marshes, rivers, and canals across Lancashire, including Burnley’s Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the River Calder, which flows through the centre of the town. She’s not your typical fairy, though—Jinny is known for her green mossy skin and for never, EVER visiting a dentist!

Some stories tell of her as a helpful spirit, watching over the waters and guiding lost travellers with her lantern. But in other tales, she’s more eerie and spooky, luring people closer with false promises of hidden treasures. With a flash of green and a ripple in the water, she loves to surprise anyone who ventures too near. So, if you’re ever exploring Burnley’s waterways, keep a safe distance but keep an eye out for that glimmer of green—you may just catch a glimpse of Jinny Greenteeth herself!

The Legend of Jinny Grrenteeth, a video created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret Burnley Author Visit

Broomsticks and Betrayal -Burnley Town's Ties to the Witch Trials

At the start of Sophie’s author visits, students are introduced to the Lancashire witch trials, with Elizabeth Demdike—a key character in Sophie’s book The Best-Kept Secret—setting the stage. This introduction then leads into Magic in the Mundane, where Sophie connects the witch trials to Burnley’s own significant links to the events in 1612, including the story of Margaret Pearson and Gawthorpe Hall, making the session even more meaningful for Burnley school children.

In schools closer to Padiham, Sophie shares the intriguing story of Margaret Pearson, the Padiham Witch. Margaret was one of those tried alongside the Pendle witches during the infamous Lancashire witch trials of 1612.

Sophie brings the tale to life, explaining how Margaret was accused of using witchcraft to kill a horse, though the evidence against her was both strange and curious. One of the more unusual claims came from a neighbour who said that, while Margaret was in prison, a toad leapt from a pile of firewood, and the neighbour suspected it was Margaret in disguise! Although Margaret was found guilty, her punishment was less severe compared to the others tried alongside her—she was sentenced to just one year in jail.

Margaret Pearson- a neighbour's perspective! created by Sophie for Magic in the Mundane, The Best-Kept Secret

Sophie also shares the story of Gawthorpe Hall, located near Padiham. In 1612, the hall was owned by Richard Shuttleworth, whose servant was the first to accuse the Pendle witches of witchcraft. Sophie adds a haunting twist, telling children that the restless spirits of the Pendle witches are said to roam the darkened halls of Gawthorpe Hall, where their tragic story began.

Monks Well, Towneley Park: Folly, Fairy Gateway or Alien Portal?

The session ends with a visit to Monks Well in Towneley Park, a place of intrigue and magic. Could this simple folly be a fairy gateway or portal to another dimension? Sophie encourages the children to see the world around them differently, reminding them that the most magical stories are often hidden in plain sight.

Monks Well in Towneley Park Burnley - Fairy gateway or portal to an alternate universe? Animated PowerPoint slide created by Sophie for Burnley school author visits

Sophie ensures that every school author visit to Burnley is deeply rooted in the local community, focusing on places the children will recognise or are close to the school. Whether the school is in the town centre or on the outskirts, Sophie tailors her sessions to reflect the unique folklore, history, and myths of the area. In schools closer to Padiham, for example, Sophie shares the story of Margaret Pearson, the Padiham witch, and the local link to the witch trials through the haunting of Gawthorpe Hall, and in schools closer to Brierfcliff she recounts the tale of the shapeshifting boggart trapped beneath Nogworth Cross.

Why Choose Sophie’s Author Visits for Your School in Burnley?

Sophie’s author visits offer schools a unique and engaging way to connect children with local legends, folklore, creative writing, and storytelling. Designed for primary schools in Burnley and beyond, Sophie’s school visits inspire young minds by showing them the magic hidden in everyday life, sparking their imagination and helping them craft their own stories. Her author visits, workshops, and storytelling activities align with key areas of the curriculum, including literacy, history, poetry, and local legends. However, Sophie's ultimate goal is to ignite a passion for reading, sparking children's imaginations and fostering a deep, lasting love for books that will stay with them throughout their lives.

​We offer Burnley Primary Schools:

​​

FREE school author visits for small or struggling schools 

​

School author visits, half-day and full-day sessions starting at £175 for a two-hour author session, including an interactive reading of The Best-Kept Secret, Magic in the Mundane and an immersive creative writing workshop)

​

Virtual school author visits for £125

​

Suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Primary School Children For more information, including testimonials, photos, and pricing, click here For more details on the content of the creative writing workshops and The Best-Kept Secret interactive storytelling author session, click here.

Contact Us

A Beginners Guide to Boggarts: Myth, Mischief, and Magic in Sophie’s School Author Visits

School Author Visits Wherever your school is in the UK, you're never far from a bit of boggy history—whether it's the misty moors of the north, the marshes of the east, or the puddles in the playing field. The UK’s landscape was once a vast patchwork of wetlands and boglands, and where there’s damp earth, you can be sure that mischievous boggarts aren’t far behind, lurking in the shadows...

Sophie’s school author visits transport students into the enchanting world of local legend and folklore, bringing boggarts to life through immersive storytelling, hands-on sensory experiences, and inspiring creative writing workshops. Whether delving into ancient legends or conjuring up a magical creature from a cauldron (literally!), Sophie’s author sessions ignite imaginations and inspire children to discover the magic hidden in the everyday.

Boggarts: A Beginner’s Guide

In folklore, boggarts are supernatural beings that can be household spirits or wild, untamed creatures of the moors and woods. Household boggarts are known for their troublesome behaviour—hiding belongings, spoiling food, and making eerie noises at night. Meanwhile, outdoor boggarts haunt isolated places, leading travellers astray, causing livestock to panic, and sometimes appearing as dark, shadowy figures at sharp bends on country roads. Despite their reputation for mischief, boggarts are believed to be fiercely territorial. Once a boggart takes residence in a home, it is nearly impossible to get rid of—several stories tell of a family moving house, only to hear the boggart whisper, "We're coming too!'

Tales to Make Your Toes Curl: Boggarts in Folklore

The North: Boggarts and Baby Stealing

One of the most chilling boggart legends involves their notorious habit of stealing human babies and replacing them with their own changelings. These changelings were said to be bad-tempered, sickly, and impossible to care for. Parents who suspected their beloved baby had been swapped for a changeling often had to turn to bizarre remedies to reveal the truth.

One well-known story about identifying a boggart changeling tells of an old test involving tea. In the tale, a family began to suspect that their baby had been replaced by a boggart changeling when their baby started behaving strangely—crying constantly, refusing food, and being unusually intelligent for a tiny baby. Seeking advice from a local wise woman, they were told to perform a test. They were to brew tea in an eggshell and watch how the baby reacted. (The reason behind this peculiar test lay in folklore: supernatural beings, including fairies and boggarts, were believed to have ancient knowledge but could be tricked into revealing themselves when confronted with something utterly ridiculous).

The mother, following the wise woman's advice, filled an empty eggshell with tea and stirred it carefully. Upon witnessing this, the changeling, unable to contain its surprise, shouted:

"I've seen an acorn before the oak, But never tea brewed in an eggshell!"

At that moment, the family realised their suspicions were true—the creature before them was not their child but a boggart. In some versions of the story, the boggart vanished in a puff of smoke. In others, the family had to drive it away through various means, such as leaving out offerings of bread and milk or reciting protective charms.

The Changeling, a fim created by Sophie for The Best-Kept Secret author sessions, Magic in the Mundane

Burnley: The Boggart and the Hen In the heart of Towneley Park, Burnley, stands Boggart Bridge, steeped in local legend. According to folklore, a fearsome boggart once haunted this bridge, demanding gifts from those wishing to cross. Terrified, the townspeople struck a deal: they promised the soul of the next living being to cross the bridge in exchange for peace. The clever villagers sent an old hen across, and upon claiming its soul in a puff of sulphur, the boggart vanished, never to be seen again. To ensure the boggart never returned, the locals planted evergreen shrubs nearby, as part of the agreement was that the boggart would stay away as long as the trees remained green. Manchester: The Boggart and the milk-churn Boggart Hole Clough in Blackley, Manchester, is rich in folklore, particularly stories of boggarts—mischievous and sometimes malevolent spirits from Lancashire legend. One well-known tale tells of a local farmer, George Cheetham, whose family was plagued by a boggart, eventually driving them to abandon their home. As they left, they heard the boggart’s voice coming from a milk churn on their cart, making it clear that escape was impossible.

Another story follows three men—Plant, Chirrup, and Bangle—who ventured into the clough at night in search of St. John's fern seed (otherwise known as St John's Wort), which was said to grant magical powers. Their intrusion disturbed sinister forces, resulting in eerie apparitions that sent them fleeing in terror.

The clough is also believed to be home to a boggart in an old, decaying farmhouse deep in the woods. This mischievous spirit is known for curdling milk, making objects vanish, and causing dogs to refuse to walk suddenly. (Dogs, in particular, are especially sensitive to boggarts, often barking or behaving strangely in their presence.) Some tales of the Boggart of Blackley claim it was a master of disguise, capable of shifting into various forms—a large black dog, a shadowy figure, or even an inanimate object, like a sack of grain that moved by itself.

Yorkshire: The Boggart and the Knot-Hole

A Boggart once moved into the home of a quiet farmer, George Gilbertson. No one knew why or how, but once it arrived, it acted like it owned the place and caused plenty of trouble. No one ever saw it—Boggarts are rarely visible to people—but the farm animals and the family dog often did. The Boggart seemed to dislike the children most. It snatched their food, tipped over their bowls of bread and milk, shook their bed curtains, and even sat on them in their beds!

In the kitchen, a wood panel on the staircase had a hole where a knot had fallen out. One day, the youngest child pushed a shoehorn into the hole, and it was thrown straight back at him, hitting him on the head. Though frightened at first, the children soon found it fun to play ‘laikin’ wi’ Boggart’ by pushing the shoe-horn into the hole and having it flung back. This only made the Boggart more troublesome. At night, heavy footsteps clattered down the stairs like someone wearing wooden clogs, and the sound of dishes smashing filled the kitchen. However, in the morning, everything was still in place...

Eventually, the family had enough. They decided to leave and allow the Boggart to have the house. As they loaded their furniture into the cart, a neighbour stopped them. “So, you’re leaving the old house at last?” he said.

“Aye,” George replied. “That darned Boggart torments us day and night. It’s after the poor bairns, and it’s wearing my wife down, so we’re forced to flit.”

Just then, a voice came from inside a milk churn, “Aye, aye, Georgey, we’re flitting, you see.”

In shock, George cried, “If I’d known you were coming with us, I wouldn’t have bothered!”. Turning to his wife, he added, “We might as well go back to the old house rather than be tormented somewhere else.”

And so they did. They seemed to get along better with the Boggart after that, though it never gave up its shoe-horn trick. An old tailor who visited the farmhouse years later, said the shoehorn was still being thrown at his head.

Lincolnshire: The Boggart and the Farmer

A Lincolnshire tale tells of a farmer who purchased land inhabited by a boggart. They agreed to share the produce, with the boggart choosing the portion grown below ground. The farmer planted barley, keeping the grain and leaving the boggart with stubble. The following spring, the boggart chose the above-ground portion, but the farmer planted potatoes, again outwitting the boggart. Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: The Shapeshifting Boggart

Aside from the Boggart of Blackley, numerous other tales of shapeshifting boggarts have been told across the UK The Hothersall Hall Boggart (Lancashire, England)

A well-known Lancashire story speaks of a boggart that haunted Hothersall Hall near Ribchester. This boggart could shape-shift into various forms, including a large, terrifying beast and a headless man.

The Boggart of Mumby (Lincolnshire, England)

In Lincolnshire, the boggart of Mumby was said to change into various terrifying creatures to scare people off the marshlands. Some versions of the story say it appeared as a large, hairy beast, while others described it as an old, ragged man who would vanish into thin air when approached.

The Hedley Kow (Northumberland, England)

Like boggarts, the Hedley Kow was a shapeshifting trickster spirit known for assuming different forms to deceive villagers—such as appearing as a horse, a large bundle of hay, or even a lost treasure chest.

The Skrikie Boggart (Scottish Borders)

In the Scottish Borders, tales tell of a boggart that took the shape of a mournful, wailing ghost that would follow travellers along desolate roads. Sometimes it would appear as a small, harmless creature, only to grow into a towering figure to terrify its victim.

The Yorkshire Boggarts (Yorkshire, England)

Yorkshire folklore is rich with stories of boggarts that would change into animals such as horses, dogs, or even everyday objects to cause mischief. Some tales mention farmers encountering their own cows or dogs behaving strangely, only to realise it was the boggart in disguise. A Boggart by Any Other Name

In the south, boggarts are often referred to as "bogies" or "bogles." These entities share similar characteristics with their northern counterparts, known for causing mischief and sometimes taking on frightening appearances. For instance, in Devonshire folklore, the "Bucca" is a household spirit akin to the boggart, known for helpful and harmful deeds depending on how it is treated. Scottish folklore features creatures similar to boggarts, such as the "Bogle." Bogles are generally malevolent spirits known to haunt particular locations, leading travellers astray or causing general mischief.

Wales may not have boggarts by name, but it’s not short of mischievous creatures that fit the bill. One such creature is the Coblynau, little goblin-like beings said to haunt Welsh mines. They're either friendly or prone to trickery, much like boggarts who can't decide whether to be helpful or cause chaos. The Tylwyth Teg are a fairy-like race known for causing mischief, swapping children, or playing tricks on humans. While not exactly boggarts, they share a similar spirit of mischief in Welsh folklore. Then there’s the Pwca, a shape-shifting trickster who leads people astray, much like a Welsh boggart. Appearing as animals or eerie figures, the Pwca loves creating confusion, just like its mischievous cousins. Finally, Bwbach (or Bwbachod) are household spirits, similar to boggarts, who protect the home but are known for playing pranks, moving objects around, or making unsettling noises. So, while the Welsh might not call them boggarts, they have plenty of goblins, shape-shifters, and household spirits causing their fair share of trouble! The ‘Hob’ was a supernatural being believed to inhabit the more remote corners of the countryside. The ‘hob’ wasn't confined to Lancashire either: it roamed the North of England and the Midlands, with other names such as hobthrusts, hobmen, hobgoblins and even hobbits—long before Tolkien made the word famous.

Hidden in Plain Sight: Proof That Persists

Nogworth Cross is a historic site near Shay Lane and Todmorden Road in Lancashire. All that remains today is the base of the cross, relocated in 1909. But according to local legend, something far more sinister lies beneath it… Long ago, a troublesome shapeshifting boggart haunted the area, causing chaos with its pranks. The locals became fed up with the mischief, so they resorted to old charms and rituals to trap the creature beneath Nogworth Cross, keeping it sealed away. But when the cross was moved, some wondered whether the boggart had been disturbed—perhaps escaping once more to cause trouble in the shadows.

Tales of spirits trapped beneath stones or crosses are as common in Lancashire as rain in July... take Hob Cross, in Latham, near Ormskirk, which dates back to medieval times - named after the ‘Hob’, a boggart, in all but name. Whether known as hobs, hobbits or boggarts, these creatures were often linked to specific place names dotted all over the UK; Hob Hole near Runswick Bay in North Yorkshire, Hob Hill in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Even Derbyshire’s Hob Hurst’s House, a Bronze Age barrow on Beeley Moor, is named after the hobgoblin believed to haunt the area. It doesn't stop there...Thursden Valley, on the outskirts of Burnley, takes its name from the Old English word ‘Thurs,’ which means goblin or demon, literally the Valley of the Goblins'. The term 'Thurs' pops up all over the place; there's Thursby in Cumbria, Thurscross near Otley, Thursford, a village in Norfolk, and Thursley in Surrey- The UK is practically crawling with boggarts, and there's no escape!

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