5 of The Most Mystical Places to Visit in The UK
29/09/2025
Get your trainers on and strap in for some serious Nature and walking inspiration. These are some of the UK’s most mystical and magical places – which one’s your favourite?
Nature is so totally mystical, right?! From King Arthur’s legendary Camelot to ancient water spirits running wild on mountains, if you know where to look, the UK is packed with places to experience the magic of mythology. Don’t know where to look? Perfect. We’ve created a list of ancient story spots you’ll love. Here they are.
Cadbury Castle, Somerset: King Arthur and the gang
Welcome to (what history calls) Camelot, the legendary castle and court of King Arthur, described as the capital of his realm and a symbol of a perfect kingdom. There’s a chance him and his mates are suspended still in magical sleep, ready to kick into action whenever we need them. Get down there and take a look for yourself.
How to get there: Head to South Cadbury village, and, a short distance beyond the church, comes to the foot of the only path up the hill. You’ll see a notice board… hopefully.
Llyn Barfog, Gwynedd: Spot the water spirits
Trek up to a remote spot above the Dyfi estuary, Llyn Barfog, and you might just stumble across Afanc, a water monster that’s said to have rampaged through the local area until a chance meeting with King Arthur. Some say he dragged it from the lake using magical chains and killed it; others say he took it and released it into the waters of Llyn Cau. Either way, a stone next to the footpath leading to the top still has a hoof print from Arth’s horse.
How to get there: Head onto the one-mile trail from the Happy Valley Road car park, 1.8 miles north of Aberdovey.
Wayland’s Smithy, Oxfordshire: Norse burial ground
An Anglo-Saxon demigod, called Wayland the Smith, with unparalleled metalworking skills? Yep, this is where he used to live. According to legend, this site was his forge, where he used to create extraordinary metalwork. He’s also believed to be buried there. Worth a look if you’re in the area.
How to get there: Just off the ancient Neolithic track called the Ridgeway, one mile east of Ashbury, close to the Uffington White Horse. It’s on your left as you’re walking from Ashbury, behind a row of huge megaliths. Can’t miss it.
Tigh Nam Bodach, Perthshire: Mother goddess
A shrine that’s steeped in ancient mythology, deep in the Scottish highlands, built for a Celtic goddess, with twice-yearly rituals. On the 1st May, human-shaped stones are taken from inside the shrine and placed outside, where they keep watch over the land until they’re returned inside on Samhain – the origins of Halloween, the start of the Celtic New Year, the end of summer, and the end of the harvest season – 1 November. The stones, they say, represent the Bodach (“old man”) and the Cailleach, the Celtic goddess who looks over the land and changes the seasons.
How to get there: Park by the Lubreoch Dam in Glen Lyon, Scotland and follow the track along the north side of Loch Lyon. The walk is a long but straightforward out-and-back hike over the track, though it can be boggy in places and involves fording a stream in dry weather.
Fairy Steps, Cumbria: Fairies, wishes, and divination
Ever seen a fairy? You might if you head here. These mystical steps are cut into the rocks on the edge of Whin Scar’s plateau, and there could be a surprise waiting for you. Mythology says that the fairies will grant you a wish on one condition: walk up or down this narrowest of staircases without touching the sides. (Tough ask, that.)
How to get there: Follow an ancient trackway that passes through the twisted trees and limestone pavement formations of Whin Scar near Beetham village. It’s about a mile south-west, you’ll see a set of steep stone steps leading up to a narrow crack.
The sound of mythology in Nature
Every place has a story to tell, but how often do we stop and listen? In our recent season of ReRooted, where we take musicians into the wild to create music from the sounds around them, Iglooghost sampled parts of the mythical Risley Moss. Here’s what he found, and how he warped a bog into a club banger:
More of the latest from the Edge zine… ↴
Share article:
Read more: Music | Explainers
