Wookey Hole Witch

Meet the Witch of Wookey Hole – A Living Legend

Did you know that the Witch of Wookey Hole still makes appearances today? Visitors are in for a spellbinding experience as she returns for special events, sharing the eerie tale of how she became one of England’s most famous witch legends.

You can encounter the Wookey Hole Witch during all major school holidays—but be warned, she sometimes has other witchy business to attend to! Be sure to check our events page before your visit to see when she’ll be casting her magic next.

Read on to uncover the chilling legend behind the Witch of Wookey Hole…

The legend of the Witch of Wookey Hole

Wookey Hole is famous for many things, but one of its most mysterious and enduring legends is that of the Witch of Wookey Hole. This chilling tale has fascinated visitors for centuries, drawing those intrigued by witch legends, folklore, and haunted history.

The story dates back nearly 1,000 years, when a woman who lived in the Wookey Hole Caves was accused of witchcraft by the local villagers. In an era where suspicion could be deadly, those believed to be witches were often shunned, put on trial, or even executed.

According to legend, the villagers blamed her for every misfortune—failing crops, dying cattle, and even mysterious disappearances. Was she truly a witch, or just a misunderstood outcast? The eerie formation within the caves still stands as a haunting reminder of her fate…

A Battle Between Magic and Faith

According to witch legends, the villagers of Wookey Hole were so desperate to rid themselves of the Witch of Wookey Hole that they turned to Glastonbury Abbey for help. The Abbot sent a determined monk, Father Barnard, to confront the mysterious woman who had made her home in the Wookey Hole Caves.

Armed with holy objects—including a chalice for protection—Father Barnard climbed up to the caves, where he encountered the Witch at the entrance. A fierce argument broke out as she refused to leave her home. But as the tension rose, she fled deeper into the caves, escaping the monk’s interference.

The villagers had warned Father Barnard never to follow her. They believed the caves were a gateway to hell, and anyone who dared to enter might never return. But would the monk listen to their warning, or was he destined to face the mystical powers of the Witch of Wookey Hole?

Read on to uncover the rest of this legendary tale…

A Curse Set in Stone

As Father Barnard pursued the Witch of Wookey Hole deeper into the caves, he entered what is now known as Chamber 1. Determined to banish the Witch once and for all, the monk scooped water from the River Axe into his chalice, blessing it to create Holy Water.

Unable to see where the Witch was hiding, Father Barnard sprinkled the Holy Water throughout the chamber. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the cave—then came an eerie silence. When the monk raised his candle toward the source of the scream, he was met with an astonishing sight: the Witch had turned to stone.

Proud of his victory, Father Barnard returned to Glastonbury Abbey, believing he had rid the village of its greatest menace. But at Wookey Hole, we like to think the Witch had the last laugh. Centuries later, her legend endures, and visitors still flock to see her petrified form, while the monk himself has faded into obscurity.

Where is the Witch now?

The legendary stone Witch can still be found in Chamber 1 of Wookey Hole Caves, watching over the River Axe. If you look closely, you can make out her bonnet, forehead, nose, and chin, eerily preserved in stone—a chilling reminder of the tale that has captivated visitors for centuries.

But the story took an even darker turn in 1912, when renowned archaeologist and geologist Herbert Balch made a startling discovery. While excavating the caves, he uncovered the ancient remains of a woman. Could this have been the real Witch of Wookey Hole?

Next to her, Balch found the remains of two goats, along with a bowl, a dagger, a latch lifter, and an alabaster ball—objects steeped in mystery. These artifacts, which may have once belonged to the so-called witch, are now displayed in Wells Museum’s Balch Room, offering a haunting glimpse into the past.

Visit Wookey Hole to see the legendary stone Witch for yourself—and uncover the secrets of this ancient legend!