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Folk Tales
Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
Once upon a time, most of Britain and Ireland was covered in woodland. Many of the trees have been cleared, but connection with the wildwood remains. It is a place of danger, adventure and transformation, where anything could happen. Here is a collection of traditional folk tales of oak, ash and thorn, hunting forests and rebellion, timber and triumph in battle, wild ghosts and woodwoses. Lisa Schneidau retells some of the old stories and relates them to the trees and forests in the landscape of our islands today. These stories are essential reading for all those who feel a pull towards the wild in the landscape, and at the edge of our lives.
184 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2020
441 people are currently reading
2130 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Schneidau
4 books90 followersLisa Schneidau is a performance storyteller, author and environmentalist living in Devon. She specialises in traditional stories about land, sea and sky from all over the world.
Lisa uses story to explore our connections with the natural world. She works with schools, communities and organisations across the UK and beyond. She also holds workshops and story walks to encourage the development of storytelling skills in nature education and rewilding projects. You'll find more details of current projects and events on her website.
Lisa is the bestselling author of three books of British and Irish folk tales published by the History Press:
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, in paperback, ebook and audiobook;
Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, in paperback, ebook and audiobook narrated by the author;
River Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, in paperback and ebook.
Lisa's fourth book, English Folk Tales of Coast and Sea, will be published by the History Press in late 2024.
Lisa uses story to explore our connections with the natural world. She works with schools, communities and organisations across the UK and beyond. She also holds workshops and story walks to encourage the development of storytelling skills in nature education and rewilding projects. You'll find more details of current projects and events on her website.
Lisa is the bestselling author of three books of British and Irish folk tales published by the History Press:
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, in paperback, ebook and audiobook;
Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, in paperback, ebook and audiobook narrated by the author;
River Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, in paperback and ebook.
Lisa's fourth book, English Folk Tales of Coast and Sea, will be published by the History Press in late 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 31, 2024
Listened to this one on Audible and could not have loved it anymore than I did. It's full of charm and interesting side tidbits about local history, natural history/environmental issues and culture relating to UK woodlands. There was a good mix of humorous, horrifying, adventurous, and magical tales, all beautifully read by the author herself. Highly recommended!
September 23, 2020
With an introduction that outlines the history and ecology of woodland in the British Isles, this book is a collection of thirty-two woodland folk tales retold by ecologist and storyteller Lisa Schneidau.
The stories are arranged thematically, starting with Wildwoods and working through themes such as Hunter and Hunted to end with The Path Ahead. Each theme is given a short intrduction to put the stories into context. Additionally each individual story is given a brief historical note. These notes give an interesting background to the stories and add to the reader's understanding of a storytelling tradition rooted in our woodlands.
Schneidau has told these stories to many audiences and they are designed to be read aloud. Each flows with a beautiful rhythm. Some stories focus on human protagonists, some mythical, some based on historical persons, other stories focus on the lives of animals and birds of the woodlands, and in many of them fairies and pixies play an important role. The characters in some stories are able to shapeshift - becoming different animals at will, which is both a magical ability but also seems to underline a deep connection with nature. Many of the stories emphasise the relationships between people, animals and the woods and the importance for humans to look after the woods and the creatures who live there.
Some of the stories have particular resonance for our current times, probably most clearly "The Woodland Under the Sea" in which the elite party instead of protecting their community against the rising seas in Cantre’r Gwaelod, today the site of a vast petrified forest which is now under the sea. 'The fertile plains, farms and woods they had once known were submerged, save for the occasional rooftop of a tall building, and all the people had perished.'
My favourite story in the book, "The Green Women of One Tree Hill" also contains an essential lesson about living within our ecological means. Three brothers inherit the land surrounding the three green women (the only trees now left in an area that was once abundantly wooded). This is a very moving story of the need for a good relationship with nature, and includes a beautifully written overview of the ecological history of the area where the tale is set.
Similarly, "The Tree's Revenge" is a cautionary tale about what happens to those who steal land and trees that don't belong to them.
"Auld Cruvie" is another classic tale of the need to live in harmony with nature and includes some particularly lovely descriptions - 'Jack also learned the calls and the language of the birds. He learned their alarm calls that all the creatures in the woods knew, foretelling danger. He learned their quiet contact calls of the woodland at peace. He knew the tiny chatter of the subsong when winter turned to spring, as teenage robins experimented with their new-found notes. And best of all, he learned the bird songs that set the woods alight with joy.'
In "Herne the Hunter" the reader is introduced to Herne, a figure who we might wish we could resurrect today:
In times when England is in great need, or great danger, a shimmering figure can be seen riding through the great oak, beech and hornbeam trees of Windsor Forest at night. He wears great horns on his head and a chain at his neck. Two other hunters ride beside him, and ghostly hounds charge forward all around. He is the god of the Wild Hunt, Herne, the Horned One, and his business is to protect our land from harm.
Most of the stories have some sort of take away moral, whether it is how to live in a better relationship with nature or with your siblings or not to be greedy. The message however is always told within a story that is engrossing and enchanting and sometimes very entertaining.
I couldn't help smiling at "The Giant with Seven Heads" which tells the story of Jack, the reluctant hero who kills the giant with seven heads when all he wanted was to find rabbits. Similarly "Pixy Led" is very entertaining, particularly the wife's reaction to her husband's claim to have been stolen away by the pixies when in fact he'd been drinking in the pub.
This is a great collection of stories to tell in a group (or in a video call) or to read quietly by yourself.
Disclaimer: I was sent a free e-book of this title in exchange for a full and honest review
The stories are arranged thematically, starting with Wildwoods and working through themes such as Hunter and Hunted to end with The Path Ahead. Each theme is given a short intrduction to put the stories into context. Additionally each individual story is given a brief historical note. These notes give an interesting background to the stories and add to the reader's understanding of a storytelling tradition rooted in our woodlands.
Schneidau has told these stories to many audiences and they are designed to be read aloud. Each flows with a beautiful rhythm. Some stories focus on human protagonists, some mythical, some based on historical persons, other stories focus on the lives of animals and birds of the woodlands, and in many of them fairies and pixies play an important role. The characters in some stories are able to shapeshift - becoming different animals at will, which is both a magical ability but also seems to underline a deep connection with nature. Many of the stories emphasise the relationships between people, animals and the woods and the importance for humans to look after the woods and the creatures who live there.
Some of the stories have particular resonance for our current times, probably most clearly "The Woodland Under the Sea" in which the elite party instead of protecting their community against the rising seas in Cantre’r Gwaelod, today the site of a vast petrified forest which is now under the sea. 'The fertile plains, farms and woods they had once known were submerged, save for the occasional rooftop of a tall building, and all the people had perished.'
My favourite story in the book, "The Green Women of One Tree Hill" also contains an essential lesson about living within our ecological means. Three brothers inherit the land surrounding the three green women (the only trees now left in an area that was once abundantly wooded). This is a very moving story of the need for a good relationship with nature, and includes a beautifully written overview of the ecological history of the area where the tale is set.
Similarly, "The Tree's Revenge" is a cautionary tale about what happens to those who steal land and trees that don't belong to them.
"Auld Cruvie" is another classic tale of the need to live in harmony with nature and includes some particularly lovely descriptions - 'Jack also learned the calls and the language of the birds. He learned their alarm calls that all the creatures in the woods knew, foretelling danger. He learned their quiet contact calls of the woodland at peace. He knew the tiny chatter of the subsong when winter turned to spring, as teenage robins experimented with their new-found notes. And best of all, he learned the bird songs that set the woods alight with joy.'
In "Herne the Hunter" the reader is introduced to Herne, a figure who we might wish we could resurrect today:
In times when England is in great need, or great danger, a shimmering figure can be seen riding through the great oak, beech and hornbeam trees of Windsor Forest at night. He wears great horns on his head and a chain at his neck. Two other hunters ride beside him, and ghostly hounds charge forward all around. He is the god of the Wild Hunt, Herne, the Horned One, and his business is to protect our land from harm.
Most of the stories have some sort of take away moral, whether it is how to live in a better relationship with nature or with your siblings or not to be greedy. The message however is always told within a story that is engrossing and enchanting and sometimes very entertaining.
I couldn't help smiling at "The Giant with Seven Heads" which tells the story of Jack, the reluctant hero who kills the giant with seven heads when all he wanted was to find rabbits. Similarly "Pixy Led" is very entertaining, particularly the wife's reaction to her husband's claim to have been stolen away by the pixies when in fact he'd been drinking in the pub.
This is a great collection of stories to tell in a group (or in a video call) or to read quietly by yourself.
Disclaimer: I was sent a free e-book of this title in exchange for a full and honest review
March 31, 2021
Really good magical mystical set of stories. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I picked it up on a whim and am happy I did. The stories were really well researched and written.
March 9, 2021
A very enjoyable read. It is written simply, which is fitting as folk tales such as these are, to my mind, more about the story itself than elaborate prose.
Although my first reading was from cover to cover, I suspect that when I pick it up in future it will be to refresh my memory of a particular story, which I would suggest is the point of an anthology like this. In fact, I would go as far to say that this should be treated as a textbook, where one can learn the basics of our native folklore before retelling the stories yourself to others; adding bits of your own when you forget parts.
Thoroughly recommended.
Although my first reading was from cover to cover, I suspect that when I pick it up in future it will be to refresh my memory of a particular story, which I would suggest is the point of an anthology like this. In fact, I would go as far to say that this should be treated as a textbook, where one can learn the basics of our native folklore before retelling the stories yourself to others; adding bits of your own when you forget parts.
Thoroughly recommended.
April 9, 2025
I really enjoyed the writing and narration. I am increasingly interested in my ancestral roots, and I adore this folklore.
January 25, 2025
Audiobook, read by the author which was lovely.
I love folk tales, and thoroughly enjoyed the ecological lens in this collection of stories.
I love folk tales, and thoroughly enjoyed the ecological lens in this collection of stories.
January 17, 2021
Absolutely stunning book and absolutely perfect for me. I love anything to do with folktales and nature. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about places known to me.
December 18, 2023
This is a real treat, for anyone interested in ecology, folklore, the cultural history of the British Isles, or just cracking good fantastical tales. There's a really rich range of stories, from the struggles of ancient kings to the lives of modern animals, to fairy mysteries, to simple human hopes and dreams - from tragedy to comedy there's something for everyone here. But what makes it really special is that Schneidau really knows her stuff - not just about myths and folklore (which she does), nor just about telling a good story (which she also does) but also about conservation and the network of plant and animal life with which we share the landscape. Every tale is framed and informed by factual details and ecological understanding, born of many years professional experience in the field, to give the stories a context revealing deep and profound insights into humanity's relationship with the natural world, past and present - in a voice that is always wise and never preachy.
If you want the liberation and wonder that fantastical old tales can bring, AND if you want a deeper connection with non-human life and land, and especially of you want BOTH, read or listen to this. You will love it.
If you want the liberation and wonder that fantastical old tales can bring, AND if you want a deeper connection with non-human life and land, and especially of you want BOTH, read or listen to this. You will love it.
February 28, 2021
An enchanting collection of ancient tales from England, Scotland, and Ireland. Love getting the older versions which are given with some historical background by the author in a preface to each story.
While the information by the author is interesting, it is the forest themselves that forever hold mystery and magic.
Discover tales of arrogant kings, lovers at the crossroads, magical beasts, and talking trees. Niall and the Hag at the Wall ends with more then a nod to the Morrigan (though she isn't mentioned by name). The ritual done by the three knights to atone for killing The Boar of Eskdale seems far more pagan in nature then the Christian framing of the tale. Some you may recognize, like Herne the Hunter (whose folktale I put into the Wicked Wolves of Windsor).
For lovers of Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest series, you will love this anthology.
While the information by the author is interesting, it is the forest themselves that forever hold mystery and magic.
Discover tales of arrogant kings, lovers at the crossroads, magical beasts, and talking trees. Niall and the Hag at the Wall ends with more then a nod to the Morrigan (though she isn't mentioned by name). The ritual done by the three knights to atone for killing The Boar of Eskdale seems far more pagan in nature then the Christian framing of the tale. Some you may recognize, like Herne the Hunter (whose folktale I put into the Wicked Wolves of Windsor).
For lovers of Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest series, you will love this anthology.
April 8, 2023
Sometimes, talking to a tree is more important than talking to a human. Oak, ash and thorn, I need another book like this. I read it straight after the botanical folk tales collected by the same author, and I must say that this collection is a lot less quaint and a lot more epic, brooding, dark, magical. If I can’t get my hands on another Lisa Schneidau soon (I have my eye on the river tales!), I might just finally sit myself down to read the Arthurian tales in their unabridged form, start to finish.
June 30, 2024
y’all i stay geekin on folklore lately. this collection of folktales was SO GOOD i just love a good ol fairy tale. also how special is it that oral tradition passed down such old and well-loved stories inspired by the nature surrounding its author????? the botanical collection is also a fave read!!
February 26, 2022
Lovely and well written, this book not only has wonderful folk tales to tell ,but is also informative about our impact on the woodlands today.
Want to read
February 23, 2025Madz rec
March 2, 2025
This audiobook was amazing amazing performance storytelling and I loved the forest noises throughout!
September 16, 2025
A lovely collection narrated by the author (I listened to the audiobook), with great contextualization and a few surprises. It is the time to listen to folk tales and get lost in the woods...
August 22, 2024
Man I just really love folk tales
April 27, 2025
Wonderful book, filled with interesting facts alongside lovely, imaginative retellings of classic folk tales. listened to the audio book narrated by the author which was a lovely listen. If you're interested in folklore, this is a really accessible read.
April 29, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable!
October 7, 2025
4 stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another delightful read from Lisa! Amazing stories and legends, I am enjoying telling my loved ones about the ones I learn about. So enjoyable!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another delightful read from Lisa! Amazing stories and legends, I am enjoying telling my loved ones about the ones I learn about. So enjoyable!
January 7, 2025
Lovely and whimsical just like her other book, I might just get the entire collection.
September 29, 2021
Mesmerizing!
Lovely book that I stumbled across and am so pleased I did! Couldn't put it down. The tales draw you in and are magical.
Lovely book that I stumbled across and am so pleased I did! Couldn't put it down. The tales draw you in and are magical.
December 20, 2020
I love this whimsical and fantastical book folklore is so mesmerising to me.
I in particular loves the conversation about climate change towards the end.
A great collection.
I in particular loves the conversation about climate change towards the end.
A great collection.
February 1, 2021
Some make you smile...
I can remember Boy Scout campfires when there were enough adults around to tell all kinds of stories. This book took me back to those times.
I can remember Boy Scout campfires when there were enough adults around to tell all kinds of stories. This book took me back to those times.
July 23, 2024
Another wonderful and whimsical collection of Folk Tales. Lisa’s retellings are such a joy to read and get lost in. With a mixture of history, ecology and fiction this book was just what I needed.
January 4, 2021
This is a fantastic collection of folk tales set in Britain and Ireland. I like how the author noted where each tale was collected and interspersed facts about woodlands on the British Isles. Some of the stories were familiar because I've read a lot of folklore and tropes are pretty common in oral storytelling. I had never heard of the story "The Green Women of One Tree Hill" and it was my favorite of the stories.
The book opens with background of the author and a discussion of how the fairy tales and folklore we are most familiar with are often around woodlands that are disappearing rapidly in favor or farmlands or suburbs.
The book is separated into 8 sections with around 5 stories in each category. Wildwood (ancient forest stories), Royal Prerogative (includes a tale of Robin Hood), Hunter and Hunted, The Clearing in the Woods (main character finds a magical clearing), The Other Ones (fairy related, Tamlane was my favorite and is what A Midsummer's Night Dream is based from), Escape to the Wild, Tree Folk, and The Path Ahead (by far my favorite section).
Quick and engaging read for lovers of woodlands, fairy tales, and folk lore.
The book opens with background of the author and a discussion of how the fairy tales and folklore we are most familiar with are often around woodlands that are disappearing rapidly in favor or farmlands or suburbs.
The book is separated into 8 sections with around 5 stories in each category. Wildwood (ancient forest stories), Royal Prerogative (includes a tale of Robin Hood), Hunter and Hunted, The Clearing in the Woods (main character finds a magical clearing), The Other Ones (fairy related, Tamlane was my favorite and is what A Midsummer's Night Dream is based from), Escape to the Wild, Tree Folk, and The Path Ahead (by far my favorite section).
Quick and engaging read for lovers of woodlands, fairy tales, and folk lore.
January 31, 2025
agreed 'trees don't know borders', but Britain and Irelands 'cultures share a common heritage' ... really isn't true... in fact in many ways they couldn't be more different and my Irish side takes colonial offence to claiming these stories, without any credit to Irish mythology.
Lisa beware the fairies are listening.
Lisa beware the fairies are listening.
May 9, 2023
As with botanical folktales, I loved this book and will read it many times over the years!
October 27, 2023
Wouldn’t you love to go for a walk in the ancient woodlands of Britain and Ireland – sitting among the colorful leaves, resting against an ancient oak, feeling the breeze on your face, delighting in the songs of birds? You may not be able to transport yourself to those woods, but Lisa Schneidau’s audiobook of Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland offers the next best thing.
Press “play,” close your eyes, and the magic starts with bird song, Then the author’s soft voice leads you into her world and wraps you in a story.
Like the woodlands themselves, there’s great variety here. Short tales – just enough for a taste. Longer tales for deep thought. Choose among them to suit your mood or your time. Some characters are familiar – Merlin, Arthur, Robin Hood. But do you know Sweenie? Auld Cruvie? And of course, the animals and even trees of the forest are as much characters as the people.
The plusses of this collection are many. Schneidau offers historical background, gives meanings of words and phrases (which may have changed over the centuries), explains and embraces the emerging view of woodlands, with their often-controversial topics of species preservation, the place of hunting and recreation, conservation, and more. She acknowledges her sources, from historic texts to fellow storytellers and folklorists. And she shares her personal experiences with and love for the woodlands and the stories.
The woodlands may be disappearing, but the tales remain – as timeless as ever. This is an enchanting collection. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.
This review refers to an audiobook, read by the author, available on Spotify.
Press “play,” close your eyes, and the magic starts with bird song, Then the author’s soft voice leads you into her world and wraps you in a story.
Like the woodlands themselves, there’s great variety here. Short tales – just enough for a taste. Longer tales for deep thought. Choose among them to suit your mood or your time. Some characters are familiar – Merlin, Arthur, Robin Hood. But do you know Sweenie? Auld Cruvie? And of course, the animals and even trees of the forest are as much characters as the people.
The plusses of this collection are many. Schneidau offers historical background, gives meanings of words and phrases (which may have changed over the centuries), explains and embraces the emerging view of woodlands, with their often-controversial topics of species preservation, the place of hunting and recreation, conservation, and more. She acknowledges her sources, from historic texts to fellow storytellers and folklorists. And she shares her personal experiences with and love for the woodlands and the stories.
The woodlands may be disappearing, but the tales remain – as timeless as ever. This is an enchanting collection. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.
This review refers to an audiobook, read by the author, available on Spotify.
August 15, 2024
I wanted this to be more interesting than it was.
It seemed the author was more interested in writing the history behind the folk tales than the tales themselves. And while the history was interesting, the stories that followed were bland and devoid of emotion. I think I only really reacted to one of them, and it was one paragraph long.
To be fair, short stories are rarely my jam. I like a bit more build up and development. But so many of these stories passed by without capturing my interest at all, and those that did capture my interest felt somehow incomplete. I wanted longer version with more detail, more depth to the characters, more stakes in the plot.
Overall, I’d say skip it. There are better collections of folk tales. This one was so lacking in depth that a lot of the stories felt like mediocre kids books without pictures.
It seemed the author was more interested in writing the history behind the folk tales than the tales themselves. And while the history was interesting, the stories that followed were bland and devoid of emotion. I think I only really reacted to one of them, and it was one paragraph long.
To be fair, short stories are rarely my jam. I like a bit more build up and development. But so many of these stories passed by without capturing my interest at all, and those that did capture my interest felt somehow incomplete. I wanted longer version with more detail, more depth to the characters, more stakes in the plot.
Overall, I’d say skip it. There are better collections of folk tales. This one was so lacking in depth that a lot of the stories felt like mediocre kids books without pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews