Autumn Lecture Series

A Dangerous Coast

Dark Tales from Cornwall’s Maritime Past

As autumn draws in and the nights grow darker, join us for the Autumn Lecture Series exploring the shadowy side of Cornwall’s rich maritime heritage. This seasonal collection delves into the hidden histories, dark folklore, and mysterious tales that have shaped Cornwall’s coastal identity for centuries.

Perfect for history enthusiasts, folklore lovers, and anyone fascinated by Cornwall’s maritime heritage, this lecture series explores some of the darker chapters of Cornwall’s coastal past as the season turns toward winter’s longer nights.

A black and white archive image shows two people in a small rowing boat arriving at the shore of a stony beach.

Dark Tales of the Cornish Coast with Keith Wallis

In September, The Piskie Trap podcaster Keith Wallis explored a range of dark tales and traditions from all around the Cornish coast in the first lecture of the series.

A photograph taken from inside a beach cave, looking out to the sea and large rocks in the distance and a trail of footprints in the sand in the foreground.

Smuggling and the Shaping of the Cornish Cultural Landscape with Dr. Jo Esra

Dr. Jo Esra examines the relationship between literary and historical narratives of Cornish smuggling, and how the “Maritime Gothic” of smuggling has shaped modern perceptions of place and identity in Cornwall.