I have just unearthed ghostly stories from forest mythology.

The Devil’s Pulpit is a forest viewpoint in Tidenham Chase woods, overlooking Tintern Abbey, which lies by the River Wye, a long way below. It has wonderful views along the river and the Welsh Hills opposite. It’s on Offa’s Dyke path, the old boundary between Saxon England and Wales, which my wife Ann and I walked many years ago.

The Devils Pulpit acquired its name as it was supposed to have been a suitably high venue for the Devil to preach his godless ideas to the monks at Tintern Abbey, before Henry VIII had ruined it. The Devil created the pulpit to preach to the monks, intending to tempt them away from their religious ways. Other myths say he also offered to repeat his devilish sermon from the roof of the Abbey. The monks agreed, but they were too clever for the Devil. When he reached the Abbey they showered him with Holy Water forcing him to flee.

The monks apparently dealt with this intrusion by sprinkling more holy water at the Devil’s Pulpit site to nullify the effects of any future devilish sermon.

The Devils Pulpit is a great view point, but unless you’re ready for the steep walk up to the site from Tintern or Brockweir, you can take a gentle walk to the Devils Pulpit from the B4228 Chepstow to St Briavels road at Tidenham.

Just off the Newland from Redbrook road lies the ghostly Swan Pool. The apparition of a distressed woman carrying her child is said to haunt the pool. The tragic figure can apparently be seen rising from the depths of the water and the sound of a baby’s cry rings in the air. A ghostly dog also may appear, walking down from one of the old limekilns and circling the pool before disappearing back into the woods.

There’s a ‘Devils Chapel’ in the scowles in the Lydney estate near Bream.

And at St Briavels Castle there are ghostly curses of condemned prisoners that echo through the ages. Littledean Hall has its own ghost stories.

Jack O’Kent (no relation) is a mythical character based around the English/Welsh border in the middle ages. He was apparently on good terms with the Devil. The standing stones in Trellech, near Tintern, are said to have been thrown into place by him during a throwing competition between him and the Devil. He seems to have a strong connection with the Forest and the greater Wye Valley in local mythology.