The Islands of Guernsey are steeped in folklore, with tales of mischievous fairies, witches, werewolves and more.
If you’re planning to visit our Islands in the month of October, here are a few local legends to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Fairies
Pouques
Pouques are the most traditional form of Guernsey fairy, with local folklore portraying them as cunning, dwarfish creatures. It was thought that they would attach themselves to people or houses, only becoming visible at night.
Most lived in a fairyland deep underground, travelling to our Islands through coastal caves and passage graves. Traces of fairies are still present in Guernsey today, with names such as ‘Le Pouquelah’ in Castel, meaning ‘the fairy dwelling’.
The Fairy Invasion
One of Guernsey's most famous tales is the Invasion of the Fairies, a story seemingly derived from an assault on the Island by mercenaries in 1338.
According to tradition, a beautiful Guernsey woman, thought to be Michèle De Garis, came across a visiting fairy King on Vazon Beach, who fell in love with her and brought her back to his land to become Queen. Upon seeing the beauty of their new Queen, bachelor fairies journeyed to the Bailiwick to find their own Guernsey brides.
A battle ensued, but the native Guernseymen could not defeat the fairies with their magical powers, who claimed victory and settled on the Island with the Guernsey women. After several years, they were required to leave the Island, returning to their homeland and leaving behind their wives and children.
Legend follows that indigenous islanders are descended from these fairies, particularly if they exhibit a shorter stature. Some believe that those who are tall and fair-skinned are untrustworthy, as they seemingly descend from the mortal men who fled, rather than perish defending their families.
The Fairy Ring
Known as ‘Table des Pion’, The Fairy Ring is located on the west coast of Guernsey in Pleinmont and is widely considered to be home to some of the most supernatural happenings on Island.
A circle carved into the ground and surrounded by stones, local tales speak of fairies and elves who danced here at night, leading to a superstition that walking around the ring three times whilst making a wish would see it granted by the fairies.
In actuality, the ring was used as a picnic bench for officials who would inspect the Island's coastal defences until 1837, serving the same purpose for servants involved in ‘La Chevauchée’, a formal 18th-century procession.
The Fairy Cave
In Guernsey, you will also find Le Creux es Faies, meaning 'The Fairy Cave'.
This is generally considered to be the entrance to the underground world, home of the fairies. Built in the Neolithic period on L’Eree headland, visitors are welcome to explore the cave and discover the legends within!
Witches
On Guernsey, you won’t find any broomsticks to tip you off about nearby witches. Instead, witches of the Bailiwick reportedly used invisible wings to travel. Usually sighted on the west coast, ‘witches' seats’ are still present on local houses where granite protrudes from chimneys.
Residents believed that providing the witches with a place to relax would prevent them from wreaking havoc and would stop them from falling down their chimneys and attacking.
Rumours claim that the witches would gather at the Catioroc headland on the darkest of Friday evenings, partaking in a ceremony known as ‘le Sabbat des Sorciers’, dancing and worshipping the devil.
44 people were burned at the stake on suspicion of performing witchcraft in Guernsey during an 80-year period.
Hauntings
Sausmarez Manor
Sausmarez Manor, an 800-year-old home, is considered to be the most haunted house in Guernsey.
The current Seigneur, Peter de Sausmarez, hosts regular ghost tours of the home, on account of the number of paranormal happenings. The most infamous being a ghostly nanny, who once attended to 28 children of one of the Sausmarez ancestors.
Peter himself first encountered the ghost of the nanny when he and his wife left their two small sons alone in the house one evening. Returning to find the children perfectly calm, they recounted how a lady came to read them a story and tucked them into bed.
The identity of the lady was a mystery until a relative recalled how the ghostly nanny was known to comfort frightened children. In more recent years, the nanny has returned to haunting the manor and was even heard singing to Peter’s infant grandson over a baby monitor.
Other ghostly sightings include a haunted doll’s house and a naval officer who greets guests as he passes. Most encounters are friendly, though some remain unexplained.
Ghost tours of the manor take place every Thursday at 6:30pm throughout the year with the Seigneur, delving into the history of the house and the island.
Underground Tunnels and German Fortifications
Remnants of the Bailiwick's occupation during WWII are scattered around the Islands. An underground maze of tunnels once utilised by German forces is rumoured to be haunted by several ghosts, including soldiers and disembodied voices from the occupation.
Various fortifications are alleged to be haunted by former members of the occupying forces, with various accounts sighting them on patrol and in the bunkers.
Dogs & The Devil
Lé Tchico
There have been numerous sightings of large black dogs on Guernsey, many trailing heavy chains, who are thought to represent an evil spirit or, more often, a dark omen, signalling the impending death of the witness or a loved one. Many of the dogs have fiery, large eyes, and often appear during the Christmas period.
The most famous dog is said to live in Tower Hill, and is known as "la Bête de la Tour" (the Tower Beast), who is only ever heard, never seen.
A headless dog is seen in Ville-au-Roi on moonless nights. Many have tried to hit the dog with sticks, only to discover that the sticks go right through it. Some believe it to be the spirit of former Bailiff, Gaultier de la Salle, who was deemed wicked and hanged in 1320 after trying to get his neighbour executed for a theft he didn’t commit.
One of these supernatural dogs in Le Bourg allegedly followed a man all the way to his home on Forest Road, where he died the following day.
The Devil’s Hoof
Alongside Fontenelle Bay in the Vale, up a small set of steps, you will find a rock structure known as Le Pied du Boeuf. A hoof shaped imprint marks the rock, and it is said to be the location where an unknown Saint banished the devil from Guernsey.
Allegedly, this is the last place the devil stood before being cast off-island and heading towards Alderney, where there is a rock with a similar imprint, supposedly where he landed.
Werewolves
Le Variouf
In the lanes surrounding Petit Bot, you will find Le Variouf. ‘Variouf’ is Guernsey-French for werewolf, indicative of the legends surrounding this area of the island.
Residents shared rumours about the presence of a werewolf that would lurk around Petit Bot in the night, driving people to shelter in their homes.
In reality, smugglers often used quiet bays such as Petit Bot as part of their dealings. Given that they operated in the dark, rumours were crafted about a terrifying werewolf to prevent people from interfering with their business, ensuring a secluded location.
