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Cornwall, with its myths and legends, is one of the most hauntingly beautiful parts of England. Its Celtic people are closely related to the Welsh, Scottish and Irish and they have a rich cultural heritage. This is clearly visible in the myths and legends that abound in Cornwall, and is celebrated in many of their festivals, pageants and songs.

Cornish folklore is celebrated in the emblem of the Cornish piskies. This tribe of "little people", said to have been the previous inhabitants of Cornwall, with red hair and earth colored clothing, haunt the Stone Circles and barrows. It is believed that they guide lost visitors to safety across the treacherous bogs on Bodmin Moor, although they can also be mischievous. The Lucky Cornish Piskie is commemorated in charms and pictures throughout Cornwall.

Legends surrounding the numerous stone circles and standing stones are also rich in local folklore. The story of Cheesewring is one of them. This impressive collection of flat stones, laid one upon the other, is said to be the result of a competition between the Saints and Giants who once inhabited the land. The Giants challenged the Saints to a rock-throwing contest. The Saints agreed to the contest, on the condition that the Giants must cease their troublesome ways if the Saints won. Uther, the Giant's champion rock-thrower, had the upper hand with his mighty strength. But an unseen Angel came to the aid of the Saints, who won the final stone, and the Giants were forced to retreat. This mythology clearly points to a time in Cornish history when pagan beliefs and Christianity came into conflict.

Tales of battles with Giants abound in Cornish mythology. Giant Ralph, who threw rocks at passing ships and made his supper from the choicest seafarers, Giant Cormoran who was slain by the legendary "Jack the Giant Killer", and Giant Bolster are the most notorious. Giant Bolster, a violent, troublesome Giant is said to have fallen in love with an innocent Cornish maid, St. Agnes. But she was to prove to be his downfall, where men and giant slayers had failed. Tired of his emotional demands on her, she tricked him. She asked him to prove his love by filling a pool with his blood. He plunged his arm into the pool, pierced it with his knife and waited for the pool to fill. But clever St. Agnes knew that the pool had a hidden outlet into the sea, and Giant Bolster finally died. To this day, legend has it, the red stains on the cliffs at Chapel Porth mark his final conquest.

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