The Magic Lands: Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland

The Magic Lands: Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland is a rich and enchanting anthology of traditional folk, fairy, and ghost stories gathered from across the British Isles and Ireland. Drawing on centuries-old oral traditions and recorded sources, Crossley-Holland retells around 55 tales with lyrical clarity and a storyteller’s insight, making ancient legends accessible to modern readers of all ages.

The book’s contents span a wide range of narratives — from whimsical fairy encounters and eerie hauntings to classic wonder tales and local legends rooted in real places. Alongside well-known story types, Crossley-Holland includes lesser-heard lore such as “The Piper and the Pooka,” “The Dark Horseman,” and “The Changeling,” presenting each with freshness, colour, and respect for its cultural roots.

Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully annotated with notes on sources, The Magic Lands also serves as a folk-lore resource, inviting readers to explore the diverse mythic imagination of Britain and Ireland. Whether you’re drawn to fairy-world strangeness, mythic echoes of heroism, or simply enjoy captivating storytelling, this collection celebrates the enduring power and variety of traditional tales from the magic lands of the British Isles.