Five mystical UK lakes that are not Loch Ness

Loch Ness, is known worldwide for the legendary monster lurking in it’s depths. The earliest known sighting of Nessie, as she’s known, was from 565AD when the beast apparently appeared to Irish missionary St. Columba. There have been many more sightings, thousands recorded since Victorian times with even blurry photos taken. Many have been revealed as fake news, but the lure of the myth and the place itself, is still going strong.

BBC Bitesize decided to dip our toes in the waters of other mystical ponds, lakes and lochs with tales linked to mystical creatures and myths of the past.

Mermaid’s Pool, Peak District.

We begin our journey to places of watery wonder in the Peak District, the first National Park to be established in the UK. Here in 1932, 400 people walked across private land in a Mass Trespass. This peaceful protest led to a change in the law, allowing people to visit and walk in this kind of countryside, and ultimately to the creation of National Parks.

If you take a path from the village of Hayfield, Derbyshire, and up above the Kinder Reservoir, but just below the summit of Kinder Scout, you’ll find Mermaid’s Pool. Unusually for an inland lake, the water is salty and if you visit on a blustery day, the nearby waterfall - Kinder Downfall, looks as though the water is flowing upwards.

But its the pool itself that allegedly holds mythical powers. Stories suggest that it’s waters can heal those brave enough to wash in them. And if you visit at midnight on Easter Sunday, a mermaid is said to appear. If she takes a liking to you, she’s said to grant a gift of eternal life. But if she’s not happy, best get out of there sharpish!

Dozmary Pool, Bodmin Moor

Across to the south west of England and the heart of Bodmin Moor, a designated National Landscape. Here you’ll find the mythically majestic Dozmary Pool, worthy of legend status.

In tales of King Arthur, Merlin and the round table it was here that the Lady of the Lake gave Arthur his sword Excalibur. Later, as Arthur was mortally injured in battle he asked his most loyal knight to return him and the weapon to the lake. The stories say that as Excalibur was thrown out over the water, a woman’s arm rose up from the depths to reclaim it. A boat then appeared and the Lady of the Lake carried Arthur away to the eternal afterlife in Avalon.

The mysterious atmosphere is also helped by the surrounding moorland, often shrouded in mist. The free-grazing ponies and sheep create shifting shapes in the distance. But despite the legend insisting the pool is bottomless, it has been measured at nine feet deep. It has even dried up completely twice.

Llyn Y Fan Fach: Brecon Beacons

Now to Wales, where we find the glacial lake Llyn y Fan Fach. It is set below the ridgeline of the Western Brecon Beacons in Carmarthenshire, part of the National Park.

This is the setting for a medieval Welsh folktale recorded in the Mabiniogion that tells of a local farmer who sees a fairy princess emerge from the lake. He wins her heart by baking her bread three times.

She agrees to marry him but on the condition that if he hits her without cause three times, she will leave. They live a happy life on the farm and raise three sons. But the farmer does hit his wife three times, some report by accident or in jest, and she leaves taking her magic farm animals with her. But the fairy princess returns to visit and teach her sons in the ways of healing and they become the first of many generations known as the Physicians of Myddfai.

A modern link to this tale can be found at nearby Dinefwr Castle. Their distinctive white park cattle, a highly prized breed dating back to the 9th century, are said to be descendants of the fairy princess’ magical cows.

Loughareema or the Vanishing Lake in Co. Antrim

Now you see it, now you don’t… thanks to a mysterious drainage system underneath the water, the Vanishing Lake in Northern Ireland's County Antrim can be full one minute, but empty a few hours later.

This mysterious phenomenon happens because the lake is filled by three streams but water can only flow out through one small underground hole. This often gets blocked by mud and debris carried in by the streams, so the water level rises. Fast. But once the lake gets to a certain depth, the weight of the water causes pressure to build and the blockage is pushed out, letting the water out and virtually emptying the lake.

Local folklore has it that once in the 19th Century, travellers in a horse-drawn carriage tried to cross the Vanishing Lake. The water was low but it was the dead of night, visibility was poor, and as the water levels rose they were lost to the lake. It is said their ghosts still appear on a dark night when the lake is full.

Loch Venachar, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

And last but not least, we head to our most northerly body of water on this list, Loch Venachar. It's a fresh water loch north of Stirling, in Scotland’s Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Local legend has it that a Kelpie, a shape shifting malicious spirit lives in the loch. When on land, it takes the form of a large grey or white horse. Tales tell that around 250 years ago a Kelpie approached a group of children playing by the loch.

It was a Sunday, so they probably should have been at church, but all nine of the children were lured by the horse to climb on its back. The minute the last child was on, the Kelpie galloped off in to the the loch, carrying them off to its depths. All but one.

The children seemed stuck fast to the horse’s back and couldn’t escape apart from the final, 9th child. He was wearing hand me down breeks or trousers that were far too big and managed to slip out of them and get away. Moral of the story? Never bunk off church (other places of worship are available) and always be thankful for hand me downs.

Enjoy the countryside safely

If you fancy taking a trip to a mythical lake, loch or pool in a remote spot, always remember to enjoy it safely. The mountains, hills, moorlands and waterways in the UK are stunning but they can be treacherous too if you’re not properly prepared.

Always charge your phone before you go out, plan your route and tell someone where you’re headed. Make sure you have suitable clothing for the weather and the terrain - sturdy shoes, warm, waterproof layers and sunscreen. Plus you should carry water and snacks incase you’re out longer than you mean to be.

If you're tempted to dip more than a toe in to the water then do take care as open water can be cold and dangerous. The RNLI have great advice on how to prepare for open water swimming.

You can also find lots of advice on staying safe in the countryside on the website of the local council or national park that you’ll be visiting - there’s a full list of National Parks here and also advice for when visiting them.

This article was published in November 2025