Category Archives: iv) Whimsical Adventures

A collection of travel, hidden gems, wild walks and everyday discoveries that bring a little wonder to the world beyond the doorstep.

Enter the World of Plant Horror: An Interview with Lauren Jane Barnett & Tony Mardon

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What happens when the plants we surround ourselves with become something far more sinister?

Authors Lauren Jane Barnett and Tony Mardon, the creative minds behind Natural Thorn Killers, have explored the darker side of the botanical world, uncovering the strange, unsettling and downright terrifying ways that plants have found their way into horror. From deadly flora to botanical folklore, their work invites us to look at the natural world in a very different way.

And if you’ve ever wondered what secrets might be hiding among the plants of one of London’s most famous botanical gardens, there’s no better place to explore them than Kew Gardens.

This month, Lauren and Tony are bringing their fascination with plant horror to life with a very special Plant Horror Tour at Kew Gardens, offering guests the chance to discover the sinister stories, myths and murderous plants lurking beneath the beauty of the gardens.

I caught up with Lauren and Tony to talk about Natural Thorn Killers, their love of plant horror, the fascinating relationship between nature and the macabre and what inspired them to delve into the darker side of the botanical world.

The Kew Gardens Plant Horror Tour is coming up this month and places are limited, with tickets already selling fast. If you’re a lover of horror, folklore, plants or simply fancy seeing Kew from a darker perspective, now is the time to book your place!

Dates and Times

Friday 9 and 24 October 2026
4pm to 5.30pm | 6.30pm to 8pm

Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026
2.30pm to 4pm | 5pm to 6.30pm

Prices

Members: £40

Non-members: £46

Tickets include booking fees and general admission to the Gardens from 10am

Book Now to avoid disappointment!

1 Let’s start with the obvious question. How did the idea for Natural Thorn Killers come about? What was it that first made you think there was a whole book to be written about plants in horror? Was there one particular film that made you think, “Yes… there is an entire book hiding in this subject”?

LAUREN – I had the idea while I was writing my first book Death Lines: Walking London’s Horror History. I kept coming across horror movies with plants in them – Triffids and creeping vines in Dr Terror’s House of Horrors, and even Hawthorne bush in Satanic Rights of Dracula. My dad was an avid gardener so I grew up with plants everywhere and I think that helped too. Eventually I started having a look and when I realised there were so many movies, and so many iconic ones, I was shocked no one had written a book about it. There would be a mention or two in Nature horror books, but these fierce flora deserved a spotlight of their own.

TONY – Yes It was Lauren’s idea. She had it before we met but when she asked if I’d like to write it with her I immediately said yes. I’ve always loved plants in horror. There is something fascinating about the idea that nature can be so malignant. There is a lot of literature about animals in horror so this seemed like a natural progression. And plants are pretty unstoppable- the way they spread- The Jordy Verrill segment of Creepshow is a great example of that. Why Lauren asked me to co-write I don’t know – I didn’t even have a fungal infection!!!

2 Your book covers an enormous range of films, encompassesing everything from killer trees and alien flora to fungi and cornfields. How did you decide which films made the cut?

LAUREN – I think the biggest thing was deciding not to do TV or any movies that didn’t have a theatrical release (with the exception of films released during Covid). If we had tried to do either of those we would still be watching things, and we would have six volume son our hands. It did mean we had to wave goodbye to great episodes of Dr Who and The Last of Us, but it also meant we had a selection of works that were all thinking about plant horror with the same constraints: time limits, theatrical quality, and cinema viewership. When you aren’t getting multiple episodes and only have two hours, you need those plant monsters to really punch and make a quick impression.

TONY – We included films like In The Tall Grass that debuted on streaming networks too- in another time, they would have had cinematic releases so that seemed warranted.

3 What’s the most underrated plant-horror film?

LAUREN – Oh that’s tough! Can I pick two? Splinter was an unexpected hit for me. It’s a really unsettling fungal horror that combines a trapped-room situation with body horror and a growing infection. I’m not sure how we found it, but I hadn’t heard of it until well into our research, and I’m shocking it isn’t more popular. The other one I have to mention is Little Otik. It’s Jan Svankmajer, but it’s not one of his better known films, and it’s deeply unsettling. A young couple are struggling to have a baby and the woman becomes obsessed with a tree-root as her child, and it actually does come to life, but has a growing appetite that starts to include blood. The film is surreal and funny, blending in the childish fairy tale with some genuinely tense and unpleasant moments. It’s very unique and surprisingly poignant.

TONY – They are great choices. I really like the Korean film, Acacia. It’s a heartbreaking film about a family who adopt a young boy and his obsession with an Acacia tree, the tree being a Metaphor for the family’s disintegration. I’ve got a soft spot for Maneater of Hydra, The Mutations and Matango (1963) too! Matango is based on a wonderful short story by William Hope Hodgson about an unstoppable fungus called The Voice in the Night…and I am petrified of fungus.

4 What surprised you most during your research for the book? Tell us a fun fact…

LAUREN – I love finding out about unique plants and the Machineel Tree was the favourite discovery for me. It’s called “The Tree of Death” because it has a milky sap that is so caustic it will burn your skin. People and animals have even been burnt by rain that’s fallen off the branches and collected the sap. It’s wildly toxic, and the idea of this tree is similar to the fictional ‘China tree’ in the “Rappaccini’s Daughter” segment of Twice Told Tales. In that film Vincent Price has to wear gloves because even touching the tree will kill you. That film was also a delightful Gothic surprise, so between discovering the film and the tree related to it, it was fun.

That being said, I was probably most shocked to learn there was a soft-core porn version of Little Shop of Horrors

TONY – Ah yes! The soft porn! I remember it well. The sheer extent of plant-horror surprised me. There are the obvious examples like The Day of the Triffids, Evil Dead, Little Shop of Horrors and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes but that just scratches the surface. My fear of fungus was brought to the surface many times when writing the ‘Panic Shroom’ section; I really hate the thought of fungus growing on or in ‘us’. I was surprised by how much some of the visuals in films like Gaia and The Privilege upset me.

5 What’s your favourite plant related horror film?

LAUREN – Choosing favourite films is so hard because I love so many for such different reasons! If we are going for the one I’ve probably watched the most, it would have to be Little Shop of Horrors, the 1986 musical. I loved it as a kid, and was in a local production of it as well, so I know the songs. It’s a good story, and has hilarious characters, but who doesn’t love Audrey II? Of all the alien-invasion monsters out there, it is probably the most beloved.

TONY – .…that’s tough. I might have to say Creepshow. It’s been a favourite of mine ever since I first saw it as a child. The Jordy Verrill segment manages to tread the line brilliantly between comedy and the terror created by an unrelenting, otherworldly, all-consuming grass… Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the original and the 1978 remake, are two favourites also. Oh, controversially, the ‘Mel’ segment from Tales that Witness Madness is a favourite too.

6 You’re taking Natural Thorn Killers off the pages and into Kew Gardens. What can people expect from the tour that they won’t get from reading the book?

LAUREN – One of the amazing things about Kew Gardens is the vast number of plant species they have, so you get to see everything from Venus Flytraps and Suzuki Grasses to The Dutchman’s Pipe and some alpine creepers. There are also plants like the Titan Arum, or corpse flower, which smells of rotting flesh to attract flies. The plant hasn’t inspired horror movies yet, be we couldn’t resist adding it to the tour. And you get to actually be at Kew, it’s a beautiful location, and even appears briefly in Day of the Triffids, so visiting Kew is well
worth it on any day, but joining the tour means you also get to see something very few people have: The Fungarium. I’ll let Tony talk about that.

TONY – Lauren knows how much I love the fungarium!! The Plant-Horror walk tickets include entry to Kew as well as our tour. Lauren and I will be taking people through Kew, stopping at some beautiful, some deadly and some bizarre plants and fungus that have inspired many of the films from our book. Experiencing these first hand really is fascinating and Lauren and I will, of course, be talking about each one and how they have each influenced horror cinema.

7 You’re going into Kew’s Fungarium to look at parasitic mushrooms. Why are fungi such brilliant horror material?

TONY – As I mentioned earlier, I have a real fear of fungus. There is something horrendous to me about the idea of being ‘grown on’. Even the thought of Athlete’s Foot is terrifying! So when that is amplified for genre films, the terror takes on a far more sinister and deadly reality. And fungus is so ugly! And unstoppable. And damp. And yuck. The Fungarium, which people on the tour will get to experience, is amazing. We will see examples of fungus that have inspired films, in particular…. The Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus that literally attaches itself to and grows from the brains of ants and other
small creatures. Truly terrifying! I’m hoping this exposure therapy may help. It hasn’t as of yet.

8 Is there a particular fungus in Kew’s collection that has a particularly fascinating story?

LAUREN – The most flashy is zombie-ant fungus, but I love the mycellial network as a concept. Fungi all interact with one another across a huge ‘map’ – little tendrils of fungus that look like hair and are called mycellia. They stretch over almost the entire earth, just below our feet, and mean that fungi can move resources across miles and miles to keep themselves, and their ecosystem healthy. It’s almost like a giant Earthen nervous system. We still don’t completely understand it, and I find that fascinating.

TONY – I’m all about the flashy.

9 What is the most frightening real plant or fungus people will encounter? What is the most poisonous plant currently growing at Kew?

LAUREN – I suppose it depends on what scares you. I always find cacti frightening. I spent a lot of time in Arizona, and you learn to be wary of these spiky guys. My brother even sat on one once. Or fell on it, more accurately. It’s not fun. Kew has a great collection of cacti in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, but I find the “Creeping Devil” the most sinister on our tour. It grows along the ground, turning the desert area into a stretch of barbed wire. The fact that it basically crawls along the desert is pretty unnerving.

The most poisonous plant at Kew has to be the deadly Machineel tree I talked about earlier. It’s so deadly it’s kept in safe research areas, but we will show off the Dutchman’s pipe, a vine that in 1993 led to at least 100 people getting kidney disease from eating it.

TONY – There is nothing scarier than fungus. Not sure if I mentioned that! I have a soft spot for the fabulous Titan arum too that Lauren mentioned earlier. It’s not dangerous but it is imposing. Interestingly, the Venus Fly Traps are really cute. As long as they don’t evolve into the ones seen in Creepshow 2, they will continue to be cute to me, if not to flies.

10 There are some common plants and trees that everyone knows are poisonous but is there a common garden plant that people might be surprised to discover is actually poisonous?

LAUREN – I always love telling people that Rhubarb is poisonous. The stalks are delicious, as we all know, but the leaves can cause kidney damage if you eat them, so steer clear of anything leafy when it comes to Rhubarb.

Nutmeg is another one. I adore nutmeg, but if you eat a lot of it (and I mean a lot – 5 grams or more) the toxicity builds up and you are in real danger. It can even lead to organ failure. So every time you have some nutmeg in your cooking, you have a touch of the toxic.

TONY – And let’s not forget the foxglove! Also, don’t put Deathcap mushrooms in your bolognese.

11 What are some of the most extraordinary ways plants defend themselves from predators? Are there plants that can effectively “fight back” when they’re attacked?

LAUREN – Back home in North Carolina, Poison Ivy and Poison Oak are very common, and those are plants that fight back even if you are being friendly. You so much as graze a leaf, or give it an admiring touch, and you are covered in red itchy welts, sometimes for days. To keep predators away, Poison Ivy and Oak are covered in a resin that induces an allergic reaction, and not a fun one. Some people are severely allergic and can find their throat closing. We learned to hike in long trousers even in the high heat.

TONY – When we were hiking on a mountain in California, Lauren and her Uncle pointed out some Poison Oak and told me to steer clear. Then they told me about the Rattle Snakes. And the bears.

12 Is there one plant you’re particularly excited to introduce people to on the tour?

LAUREN – The fungi will be incredibly exciting because the team at Kew’s Fungarium have put together some amazing samples for us, but outside of that unique opportunity, I’m excited about the Kitchen Garden. I can’t wait to talk about all the horror films that were inspired by vegetables we eat every day. It makes you look at corn differently…

TONY – For me it is a bit of everything. We have planned the tour to include a huge range of flora and fungus, each of which are in some way connected to or have inspired moments and films within the horror genre. I’m looking forward to talking about these connections whilst being in amongst the amazing gardens around Halloween…hoping we survive the killer tomatoes…

Natural Thorn Killers is available at Amazon £16.99

Hunting for Coventina’s Well: A Witchy Walk Along Hadrian’s Wall

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I love a walk that has a purpose.

Don’t get me wrong, wandering around in the countryside is lovely, but if there’s a bit of history, mythology or a forgotten goddess waiting to be found, I’m all the more invested.

So, after a recent task to research the goddess Coventina, and finding out she has a well in Northumberland, a few of the ‘Coven’ members who are also in a seperate Witchy Walks WhatsApp group, decided there was only one thing for it – we had to go in search of it ourselves.

We parked in the Brocolitia car park, which was £6 for the day and is right next to the Temple of Mithras. Before we’d gone, I’d found a route on OS Maps that someone had created. It was a nice loop that promised not only Coventina’s Well but also two stone circles. It sounded perfect.

Well… almost.

We wandered past the Temple of Mithras, following the little arrow on the map, expecting we’d come across the stone marking the well fairly quickly.

We didn’t. Not even slightly.

We slowed down, looked around, wondered if we’d somehow missed it, but the map kept telling us to carry on, so we did.

We carried on following the route, which soon took us away from the main path and into fields full of sheep. There were definitely more sheep than people out there! Then we spotted the tiniest little froglet ever. Honestly, it was so tiny, and of course we all had to stop and admire it. It’s funny how something so small can become one of the highlights of the day, but it really was adorable.

Eventually we reached the first stone circle.

Now… maybe I’m just spoiled as having visited Stonehenge and Avebury last month, perhaps my expectations were a little unrealistic, but this stone circle was… tiny. Very tiny. Blink-and-you’d-miss-it tiny.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still fascinating to think how old it is, but if you’re expecting something dramatic, you might be a little disappointed.

We carried on to the second stone circle and stopped for lunch before looping back towards where we’d started.

And finally…

We found Coventina’s well.

Or rather, we found the stone that marks where her well once was.

Actually, that’s also not entirely true. We found the sheep’s skull that somebody had balanced on top of the stone. Without that, I’m not convinced we’d have spotted it at all.

Who Was Coventina?

Coventina wasn’t one of the big Roman gods that everyone has heard of. She was a local Celtic goddess of springs and sacred waters, worshipped here in the North East long before the Romans arrived. When they built Hadrian’s Wall and the nearby fort at Brocolitia, they didn’t replace her with one of their own deities, they adopted her instead.

Her sacred well became an important place of worship, and over the years people left thousands of offerings in the water. Archaeologists have uncovered coins, jewellery, pottery, sculptures and beautifully carved altars dedicated to her. Some people would have come hoping for healing, others for protection, and some simply to ask for a little luck from the goddess of the spring.

I love that she was so tied to this particular place. She wasn’t worshipped across the whole Roman Empire, she was native to here in the North East of England.

Knowing all of that made it a little sadder, standing there looking at… well… a stone.

No plaque. No information board. Nothing with her name on it.

If we hadn’t spent time researching the location of the well before our walk, watching various YouTube videos trying to work out exactly where the well was, being forewarned in them that it’s hard to find, we’d have probably given up.

I couldn’t help wondering if things would be different if she’d been a god instead of a goddess. Male rather than female. Perhaps there’d be a sign explaining who she was. Maybe there’d be something celebrating the fact that this is one of the most important Romano-British religious sites ever discovered. I’m pretty sure there would be a plaque marking the spot at the very least…

Instead, unless you already know her story, she’s almost invisible.

The hiker in me that loves to be out where there are no other people around, loves that Coventina’s Well, is tucked away amongst the fields, an ancient secret lost in time.

But another part of me wishes her story was a little less of a well kept secret.

For those of us who love folklore, mythology and the old gods, places like this feel special. There’s something magical about standing where people have come for nearly 2,000 years to honour a goddess, even if all that’s left to mark the spot is a weathered stone… and a sheep’s skull.

The route was supposed to be around 11 miles but somehow, by the time we’d finished, we’d clocked up over 14 due to having gone a little off-piste a few times because we were too busy chatting to pay attention to the map (I’ll take the blame for that one being as I had the map!) and partly because we’d zigzagged trying to find Coventina’s Well. The funniest part? It actually turned out to be right next to the car park where we’d started!

I did have one moment where I quietly wondered what one of the group who hadn’t been out on one of our Witchy Walks before must have been thinking. Was she starting to wonder if we actually knew where we were going, or if she’d ever see the car park again? Hopefully the extra mileage didn’t put her off, and she’ll trust us enough to join another walk soon…

Summer Solstice at Stonehenge

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Visiting Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.

When one of my best friends and I booked a girls’ trip to Glastonbury, I realised the dates were just after the solstice. It honestly felt like the universe was giving us a little nudge to add Stonehenge onto the beginning of our adventure. How could we not?

So on the morning of the solstice, I travelled all the way from the North East of England down to Hampshire where she lives. The journey was surprisingly painless until I hit the M25… That’s one thing I definitely don’t miss about living in London – trying to get anywhere on that motorway! Thankfully once I’d escaped that particular circle of hell the rest of the journey was easy.

After dropping my bags at my friend’s house we headed over to Salisbury to catch one of the shuttle buses to Stonehenge.

There were long queues for the buses but they moved surprisingly quickly. The shuttle costs £10 each way so in hindsight it would actually have been cheaper to pre book parking at Stonehenge through English Heritage for £25. We’d avoided driving because we assumed the roads would be absolute chaos around the solstice but they were actually fine. Lesson learned for next time!

Armed with backpacks full of snacks, blankets, extra layers and of course my drum we finally arrived at the site.

The longest queue of the evening was for the security bag check where they were making sure nobody was bringing in alcohol, illegal substances, glass or weapons.

As for me? There was no chance of me trying to sneak alcohol in. I didn’t drink a thing all day, alcoholic or otherwise, not because I was trying to be sensible but because I absolutely hate portaloos. My strategy was simple. Don’t drink, don’t need the toilet. Unfortunately once I break the wee seal ,I pee for England!

I did end up using the loos twice and honestly they weren’t nearly as horrific as I’d imagined. They’re still one of the main reasons I avoid festivals though. Well, that and the crowds.

Speaking of crowds…

Yes there were thousands of people there and although I usually like to place myself out in the wilderness, surrounded by nature and minimal people, I was more than willing to brave the crowds this once for the chance to get up close to the stones.

Summer and Winter Solstice are the only times of year you’re allowed to walk right up to Stonehenge. The rest of the year the stones are roped off unless you pay for one of the exclusive Stone Circle Experiences through English Heritage and that applies even if you’re an English Heritage member.

We arrived just as the sun was beginning to set and found ourselves a little spot to lay our blankets. It was close enough to enjoy the atmosphere but far enough away that we thought nobody would trip over us.

We were wrong, there was a point during the night where a woman stumbled straight across our blankets and stood directly on my drum.

Thankfully the drum survived.

As darkness fell we wandered into the stone circle itself. Finally being able to reach out and touch the stones was incredibly special. There was drumming, chanting, people meditating and people celebrating. It felt unlike anywhere I’d ever been before.

By around midnight exhaustion or old age caught up with us, it’s been a long time since I last partied all night… So wrapped in our blankets beneath a sky full of stars we somehow managed to get a few hours’ sleep.

I’m actually a huge fan of camping, usually with a tent, but there was something pretty magical about sleeping out in the open with Stonehenge only a few metres away. Every time I opened my eyes during the night the stones somehow seemed closer than before.

My imagination? Maybe.

Magic? 100%.

Nature certainly made its presence known too.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not exactly the biggest fan of creepy crawlies. Thankfully it was too dark to spot any spiders. What we did have however were hundreds of cockchafers buzzing around. Weirdly though, I actually think they’re quite cute. Those fluffy little antennae make them look like tiny fairy bugs… Well until one flies directly into your hair.

Ah yes. Being at one with nature.

At around 4am we both woke up naturally as the sky began to brighten and the crowd’s energy grew more electric.

People slowly started gathering around the Heel Stone waiting for sunrise.

Then it happened.

Watching the sun rise perfectly between the ancient stones is one of those moments that’s impossible to fully capture in words or photographs. There’s a reason people have gathered here for thousands of years. Whether you’re there for the history, the spirituality, the atmosphere or simply curiosity it’s an incredibly moving experience.

It was everything I’d hoped it would be.

Nobody knows for certain why Stonehenge was built and I think that’s part of what makes it so fascinating. Was it a place of worship? A giant calendar marking the changing seasons? A site for ceremonies or healing? All of the above or something we haven’t even thought of yet? There are plenty of theories but no definitive answers.

Standing there among the stones though, none of that really seemed to matter. There was something incredibly humbling about knowing I was walking the same ground as the people who built this incredible monument thousands of years ago.

Running my hands across the stones they had carefully placed all those centuries ago made me feel connected, if only for a moment, to the ancient wisdom and mystery of those who came before us.

Stonehenge at Summer Solstice had been on my bucket list for years and I’m so grateful I finally got to experience it, especially alongside one of my best friends.

Would I Go Again?

Absolutely.

Despite the crowds. Despite the portaloos. Despite nearly losing my drum to a drunken stranger.

That being said, I probably wouldn’t stay overnight a second time.

If I were to do it again I’d pre book parking through English Heritage, arrive around 3 or 4am, watch the sunrise, soak up the atmosphere for a few more hours and leave when the site closes at around 10am.

But for a first visit?

Sleeping beneath the stars beside one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments was something I’ll never forget.

Pendle – Walking With Witches

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Imagine this, hiking on a warm summer’s day, sunlight dappling through the trees, the gentle sound of a stream trickling alongside your path, birdsong overhead, leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Sounds like something from a guided meditation doesn’t it?

Well backtrack to 1612 and the atmosphere in this very same spot would have been very different.

This is Pendle, a landscape forever marked by the Pendle Witch Trials, a tragic chapter in history that saw twelve people accused of witchcraft, marched over 50 miles to Lancaster and ultimately tried for their lives. Their supposed crimes? Often nothing more than poverty, herbal knowledge or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Today, their path has become a trail of remembrance and reflection known as the Pendle Witches Walk. Stretching from Barrowford to Lancaster, the route guides you through rolling moorland, sleepy villages and ancient woodland, inviting you to walk not just through nature but through time itself.

The Pendle Witch Trials remain one of the most infamous witch trials in English history. Taking place in a time of deep superstition, religious tension and fear of the unknown. The trials led to the execution of ten people who were accused of practicing witchcraft, consorting with the Devil and causing harm through curses and spells.

The accused came from two impoverished families both led by wily, old matriarchs – the Demdikes and the Chattoxes, both of whom had long standing reputations as local “cunning folk” that people believed to possess magical or healing abilities. These were often herbalists or folk healers, mostly women, who lived on the fringes of society and were equally as sought out as they were feared by their neighbours.

The accusations spiralled when in March 1612, Alison Device, a young woman from the Demdike family allegedly cursed a peddler who then suffered a stroke. This triggered a wave of suspicion and blame that ultimately led to the investigation.

Alison was hauled in front of the local magistrate and in confusion, ends up not only confessing but also incriminating her Grandmother, Demdike and her local rival Chattox. In April 1612, The two are interrogated at Ashlar House and maybe to enhance their reputations, try to outdo each other with their stories including one of meeting the devil in a quarry ending up with them being committed for trial for witchcraft and incarcerated at Lancaster Castle.

Then on Good Friday, other members of the Demdike and Device families meet at Malkin Tower – which you can see in the distance during the walk, and feast on stolen mutton, a local constable is called and the group at the alleged ‘witches sabbath’ meeting are accused of plotting to free the imprisoned women and blow up the castle, they are also then rounded up and imprisoned.

In August 1612, the trial begins and the prosecution’s star witness is Jennet Device who in court, identifies those who attended the Good Friday meeting, including her mother Elizabeth and Alice Nutter who was a woman who stood apart from the others due to her relative wealth and social standing. Alice came from a respected Catholic family, a detail that many believe played a key role in her arrest. At a time when anti-Catholic sentiment was rife under Protestant rule, and with King James I fuelling nationwide fear through his obsession with witch hunting, her faith may have made her an easy target. The evidence presented against her and against many of the accused was dubious at best, often based on rumour, the testimonies of children or confessions extracted under duress but the evidence, the confessions already given and the pressure of the prosecutors, keen to ingratiate themselves to James I, meant the trial was over in just three days.

All of the ‘guilty’ were hanged apart from Demdike who died as a prisoner before the trial.

Their fate was sealed not by proof, but by paranoia and prejudice. Only one of the accused, Alice Grey was found not guilty, and another, Jennet Preston, had already been tried and executed in York.

Today, their story is a powerful reminder of how fear, social divides and unchecked authority can lead to devastating injustice.

Walking through the fields and hill that these women once walked, you can still feel their presence in the air, their stories echoing through time.

The section of the walk I did was an 8.5 mile circular route which is one of ITV’s Britain’s Favourite 100 Walks list and you can find the route on the OS maps app which I thoroughly recommend if you’re planning to hike anywhere, you just find your route, follow the arrow, it’s impossible to get lost.

Parking is available at the visitor centre in Barley which sits right at the heart of the figure of eight style hiking route making it an ideal starting point for your walk. Directly opposite is The Pendle Inn which also offers parking for patrons and serves as the perfect base if you’re visiting from out of town. Nestled beneath the dramatic rise of Pendle Hill, the inn offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere, hearty food (I recommend the tomato soup, it was delicious), local ales and comfortable chalet accommodation which is ideal for resting and recharging after a day on the trail.

As you walk through the village of Roughlee, you’ll pass a bronze statue of Alice Nutter, one of the twelve accused in the infamous Pendle Witch Trials. She stands tall and dignified and invites you to remember the real people behind the legends.

As you continue, you’ll notice many pointers with depictions of witched on them placed thoughtfully along the route.

As you pass through Newchurch Village, make sure you stop at Witches Galore, a shop filled with spooky merchandise to pick up some souvenirs, I personally couldn’t resist a little cast iron cauldron, a tea towel depicting Pendle’s witchy history and a copy of my favourite childhood story, Gobbolino the Witches Cat by Ursula Moray Williams.

The path winds through winding country lanes, open fields, and timeless stone villages, so whether you’re drawn by curiosity, history, or healing, this stretch of the walk offers more than just scenery, it offers a connection to voices long past and a gentle reminder that their story still lives on.

Although the Pendle Hill peak isn’t part of the hike, it’s not too far off piste so if you’re feeling energetic you can make your way to the top.

Climbing Pendle Hill is a spiritual experience all of it’s own. The ascent is steep but rewarding. At the summit you can experience breathtaking views that are more than a reward for your physical effort. There’s something about standing up there that moves something in the soul.

If you’re looking for a much spookier atmosphere, I’ve also hiked the same trail on a cold and frosty January and it was an entirely different experience. Gone were the soft greens and golden light of summer, instead, the landscape felt much more raw and untamed. Pendle Hill loomed darker and foreboding, bare branches reached out like skeletal fingers and the fields were patched with frost that crunched underfoot. Even the sheep with their wooly winter coats looked cold. What felt gentle and inviting in the warmth of summer took on a bleaker, more haunting quality.

The paths themselves were harder going, spectacularly muddy in parts to the point where my hiking boots were well and truly submerged and the villages, quiet at the best of times, seemed almost deserted. Even Witches Galore, normally a lively and bustling place, felt quieter as I walked around minus my muddy hiking boots which I left at the door.

Whatever season you choose to walk the Pendle Witches Trail, there’s a sense that the land holds these women’s memory. You feel as though the earth remembers them, that the energy of those silenced centuries ago still lingers like an imprint, carried on the wind and underfoot with every step you take.

Even in the brightest summer light, you can feel the shadow of those who walked here before you, a quiet echo in the rustle of leaves or the sigh of the wind across the moor. You imagine their footsteps along the stiles and across the fields, and it’s impossible not to think of how differently their lives might have turned out in another time.

Whether you go to Pendle seeking connection with history, with nature or with yourself, the Pendle Witches Walk offers more than just a hike. It’s a pilgrimage, a tribute to the strength of the women or ‘witches’ who walked this landscape all those years ago and a walk where each footstep honours those who were silenced.

The Pendle Heritage Centre is also worth a visit, as well as exhibits on the trials, it also has a lovely walled garden, a fairy trail and a café and if you have time, Lancaster Castle isn’t far and should also be on your to do list whilst you’re in the area if you want to see where the women were held.

If you want to follow the route we took, download OS Maps and click on the link below.

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/26614826/kani-adventures-pendle-witches-walk

Winter Hiking Necessities

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Winter walks hold a different kind of magic.

The trees are bare. The air feels sharper. The paths are quieter. There is space to think, breathe and simply be. Even on grey damp days, winter hiking has a grounding quality that feels almost medicinal.

But winter asks for a little more care.

Cold, mud and shorter daylight hours mean preparation becomes even more important. Not to overcomplicate the walk, but to keep it safe, warm and enjoyable.

Here are my winter hiking essentials to support body and spirit through the colder months.

Phone

Usually I’d recommend disconnecting from technology when you’re out in nature – however, when you’re hiking, your phone is more than something to check messages on. On a winter hike it becomes your map, your emergency contact, your torch and your reassurance if you need it.

It is also your camera, ready to capture frost on hedgerows, dramatic skies over the coast or that quiet moment of winter light breaking through the trees.

But do try to stay off social media during your hike so that you can be fully present.

OS Maps App

Winter paths can look different. Frost hides trail edges. Fallen leaves disguise direction. Fog rolls in unexpectedly.

The OS Maps app is incredibly helpful for checking routes, elevation and footpaths. Knowing exactly where you are allows you to relax rather than worry.

Confidence in your navigation keeps your nervous system calm which is exactly what winter walking should encourage.

Battery Pack

Cold weather drains phone batteries quickly. Much faster than in summer.

Your phone is your map, your emergency contact and your light if the day fades earlier than expected. A lightweight battery pack offers reassurance.

Winter daylight is shorter. Preparation brings peace of mind.

Compeed

Blisters in winter are worse. Wet socks and damp boots can quickly turn a small rub into a painful distraction.

Don’t scrimp on blister plasters. Buy Compeed rather than generic, the sticky is much more reliable and if you pop them on the moment you start feeling you start to feel your boots rub, they will allow you to keep on walking comfortably.

Dry comfortable feet change everything.

Properly Broken In Waterproof Boots

Winter is not the season to test new footwear.

Your boots should already be broken in and ideally waterproof. Mud, puddles and unexpected boggy patches are part of the adventure.

Cold wet feet drain your energy quickly. Warm supported feet allow you to stay present and enjoy the landscape.

Pair your boots with good thick socks and always pack a spare pair if you’re heading out for longer.

I’ve tried and tested many walking shoes/boots over the years from expensive to budget and always vegan. Personally, I prefer shoes which may not offer the ankle support that you get from boots, but I always feel boots rub the backs of my legs. Maybe it’s the way I walk… At the moment, I’m wearing Gelert shoes which have been comfortable from the off, and at the low price, I don’t mind replacing them frequently.

Muddy boots are a sign of a good hike!

A Packed Lunch Or Emergency Sandwich

Winter air burns energy faster than we realise. The body works harder to stay warm.

Even if you’re planning a shorter walk, pack food. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a full blown picnic, just a thermos of soup will feel like pure luxury halfway through a chilly route.

At the very least, pack an emergency sandwich and a flask of tea. Having something warm to sip while overlooking a winter view feels grounding and deeply nourishing.

A Roll Of Poo Bags – Practical Magic

A small roll of dog poo bags is one of the simplest but most useful things you can carry – even if you don’t have a dog.

Why? I hear you ask…

Keeping your phone dry in sudden rain
Storing muddy gloves
Seasonal foraging
Collecting treasure
Taking rubbish home

They weigh almost nothing and solve so many little problems.

Layering And Warmth

Winter hiking is all about layers.

Start slightly cool so you don’t overheat too quickly. Add layers when you stop. Always carry a warm jumper or insulated jacket even if the forecast looks mild.

Hat, gloves and a scarf can transform a cold windy stretch into something manageable.

Staying warm is not about toughness. It is about respecting the season.

Waterproofs

Make sure you have waterproofs in your bag. Winter weather is unpredictable and a clear sky can shift to sideways rain before you’ve reached the next gate. A good waterproof jacket is not optional, it is essential. Look for something properly breathable so you don’t overheat underneath and always pack waterproof trousers if you’re heading out for longer routes. Staying dry is not about comfort alone. Once you’re wet the cold settles in quickly and drains your energy. A lightweight waterproof layer in your bag means you can walk through rain showers with ease rather than cutting your hike short. There is something quietly empowering about being prepared for the elements instead of battling them.

Little Extras

Beyond the practical essentials, there are always a few extras in my bag.

A few small crystals for grounding or protection.

A small nature guide book for identifying trees, plants, birds or wildlife along the way.

My dad’s classic Swiss Army knife for those tiny unexpected moments when I need a blade, scissors, bottle opener or nail file.

A small bag of bird seed – because I like to try and befriend the crows…

Don’t wait for the Spring

Cold, sunny hikes are beautiful and with fewer people on the paths, the landscape feels more intimate. It’s just you and nature.

Eden Perfumes

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Perfume, from the French Parfum, a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds used to give the human body an appealing scent.

Expensive, opulent and luxurious be they floral, musky, woody, fruity or aquatic, men and women have been wearing perfumes for thousands of years.

But did you know that most of perfumes contain some really icky animal ingredients?

Ambergris – a wax-like  growth which is found in the stomach and intestines of about one in a hundred sperm whales. The finest ambergris has a lovely, sweet, musky odor. 

Musk – found in a small pouch, in front of the penis of a mature male musk deer. Apparently it possesses a sweet, generous, aromatic intensity bringing an elegance and a radiance to any perfume composition.

Civet – a buttery-yellow paste secreted by the perineal glands of both male and female civets which is said to have a radiant, velvety, floral scent . . .

Castoreum – Is used to produce a spicy ‘leather’ scent and is a thick paste found in the castor sacs between the pelvis and the base of the tail  of both the male and female beaver.

Hyraceum – also called ‘Africa stone’ is the petrified rock like excrement of the rock hyrax, it’s one animal scent that can be harvested without actually causing any harm to the animal but why oh why would anybody want perfume made from any animals excrement, no matter how ethically it might have been obtained?

Well, I definitely don’t want to be lathering my body in any of those, that’s for sure!

Luckily, I stumbled across an amazing vegan and cruelty free perfume brand last year whilst browsing the lanes of Brighton called Eden perfumes.

Eden Perfumes have hundreds of scents lines up in bottles on their walls that almost perfectly match that of many well known designer fragrances but without any of the cruelty, no animal ingredients, no animal testing and mostly organic, what’s not to love.

I have 3 myself, copies of Chanel No5, Dior’s Poison and Thierry Mugler’s Angel and you really would struggle to tell the difference between the Eden perfumes and the real designer scents.

Not only that but at only £18 for a 30ml bottle if you buy in store of £24 for the luxury lines, you’re saving a fortune!

Cruelty free cost’s less!

Shop online at www.edenperfumes.co.uk

Or head to:

Original Brighton Branch

26 Gardner Street Brighton BN11UP

New London Branch

203 Portobello Road London W111LU