Ghosts and fairies in the South Downs

Ghosts and fairies in the South Downs

October 29, 2015

A study of myths and legends across Sussex and the South Downs has revealed that areas within the National Park could be home to 80 per cent more fairies and a third more ghosts than the average across East and West Sussex. It also reveals that there could be almost twice as much magical treasure buried beneath the protected landscape.

The findings come as part of a project to map the folklore of Sussex and the South Downs by the Sussex Centre for Folklore, Fairy Tales and Fantasy with the support of the National Park Authority’s Sustainable Communities Fund.

“The shape of the land shapes our myths and legends, so it’s not surprising that stories have grown around the ancient flint mines, barrows and hill forts of the South Downs,” says Heather Robbins from Sussex Centre for Folklore, Fairy Tales and Fantasy at the University of Chichester. “It’s been fascinating to see how they fit across the land and we hope it will encourage more people to learn about their local mythology.”

To find out more about the rich and varied folklore of the South Downs National Park visit www.chi.ac.uk/fairytalemap