The Kappa

Strange, aquatic yokai of Japanese folklore, kappa have long been blamed for the drowning of people and horses

Gelert the Faithful Hound

While the tragic tale of Gelert comes from Welsh mythology, versions of the same story appear worldwide

Redcaps

Unique to the Scottish Borders region, redcaps are said to be violent, murderous goblins that lurk in the ruins of deserted castles

The Hodag

Amongst the strangest of the ‘fearsome critters’ of frontier folklore, a Wisconsin businessman claimed to have captured a live Hodag in 1896

The Beast of Gévaudan

Over a three year period, a beast said to be impervious to bullets and able to walk on two legs like a man killed as many as 113 people in 18th century France

Gnomes

The idea of gnomes began with a type of earth elemental that appeared in 16th century alchemical theory, but modern sightings and even video footage have also emerged

Gremlins – A Modern Take on the Fey Trickster

While similar to other folklore creatures such as goblins and boggarts, gremlins are a much younger creation, originating in the early 20th Century

Boggarts: Lancashire’s Malign Trickster Spirits

A look at the malevolent spirits of place once said to be found across Lancashire

Rawhead and Bloody Bones

Lancashire’s own take on the bogeyman, used to frighten children into good behaviour

Jenny Greenteeth

One of Lancashire’s many malicious creatures of folklore, Jenny Greenteeth lurks in duckweed-choked ponds waiting to drown the unwary