This winter, embark on a journey through some of Britain’s most fascinating historical locales: The Cotswolds, where ancient villages nestle within mist-strewn hills. Behind its postcard-pretty image, is a wealth of ancient myths, ghost tales and strange lore that have circulated through the generations adding just a whisper of mystery to those rural settings. Find out more on Cotswolds Guided Tours.

The Rollsright name lives on in the folklore tales, ghost stories and local legends of Oxfordshire. Through the generations, a local legend has persisted that these stones represent the petrified corpses of an annihilated king and his knights – transmuted to stone by magic invoked by an enchantress. Whatever the case may be, legends say that on nights when the moon reflects off its surface clearly enough to cast a shadow, stones move and confide secrets into ears bold enough (or mad enough) to hear.

The Cotswolds, too, has its spooks; it is a tuning fork to the ghosts of old. Wotton-under-Edge’s Ram Inn is often referred to as one of England’s most haunted pubs. Hints of paranormal activity such as ghost sightings, footsteps for no reason, and random cold spots have been reported by visiting guests; all surefire signs you’re in for a frightening evening. For Cotswolds Guided Tours, visit Cotswold Tour company.

The area has no shortage of odd stories. The churchyard at Painswick is infamous across the land, as legend has it that a hundredth yew tree will not grow within in. Meanwhile, the village of Bibury is reportedly patrolled by a ghost believed to be one of the weavers who used to reside in Arlington Row.

From weird old curses to haunted inns, the folklore of the Cotswolds is interwoven into its very fabric providing visitors a lot more than just magnificent views.