The mysterious Lake District animal that was born to 'fleece tourists'
One of the most intriguing tales is the story behind the legendary Tizzie-Whizie.
It was allegedly first spotted by a Bowness boatman all the way back in 1900.
He regaled tourists in the town's Stag's Head Hotel about his thrilling encounter with the extraordinary creature.
Shy, water-loving creatures, Tizzie-Whizies are reputed to have the body of a hedgehog, the tail of a squirrel or fox and a pair of bee-like wings.
But the real truth might just be the work of incredible marketing from an ingenious Cumbrian.
How the legend came to be:
After the "sighting", it is said that the boatman headed to the pub, naturally.
According to legend, as he started his third pint, six tourists from London flocked inside.
He looked at them, raised his right eyebrow, and took a deep puff from his pipe.
The night crawled on, and he mustered up the energy to talk to the young crowd.
They loved his local accent and a young lady asked, 'So you've been here a long time, you absolutely must tell us about some of the regional myths and legends.
"I love that stuff. I've bought hundreds of books and gone on fairy hunts throughout England.'
Tourists loved the story and even agreed to go on 'Tizzie Whizie Hunts' (Getty) (Image: Getty)
The Boatman took another long draw from his pipe and looked around the room.
A painting of a hedgehog hung on the wall and several flies banged into the cobwebbed lamp.
He told them of the Tizzie Whizie.
They loved his story and so the boatman used to conduct Tizzie Whizie hunts, charging of course.
Recommended reading:
American tourist continues to wind up Lake District locals
Tourist slams Lake District cave for just being a cave
Tourist says famously small Lake District pub is too cramped
The evasive Tizzie Whizie would invariably finish under one of the piers and one of the tourists engaged in the hunt would be 'accidentally' pushed into the lake.
Sometimes the boatmen would say that it had escaped to Belle Isle and if any of the hunt followers wished they could be taken across the lake to look for it.
When asked why they couldn't see it flying across the lake, the reply was 'because it was a very good underwater swimmer'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Five Dudley Borough pubs named among top 500 in England
FIVE pubs from across the borough have featured in the top 500 pubs in England, according to a guide published in a national newspaper. The Telegraph has published its list of the 500 best pubs in England, with five of them hailing from Dudley. Expert Will Hawkes curated the list based on their charming character, welcoming staff, history and award-winning beer, The Telegraph says. With drinking holes from Sedgley, Dudley, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge featured, Dudley boozers counted for one per cent of all the pubs in the list – quite a feat when considering the size of the borough compared to England as a country. One of the five was The Robin Hood in Amblecote, described by Hawkes as 'probably the best of the town's pubs in terms of atmosphere and beer, which is invariably in peak condition.' He said: 'The Black Country can be a bit confusing, geography-wise, but things are simple when it comes to pubs. 'They tend to be good, and they're particularly good in Amblecote.' A stone's throw away lies The Unicorn in Wollaston, which also features on the list. Highlighted for being a 'small and cosy' spot, Hawkes said visitors to The Unicorn should expect 'robust and often entertaining conversation, filled cobs (roast pork on Saturdays), and a deep sense of contentment'. The Beacon Hotel in Sedgley is perhaps one of the most well-known in the whole Black Country, so it is unsurprising that it too featured in the top 500 guide. Home of the award winning Sarah Huges Brewery, this historic drinking hole was described as 'a Black Country pub that doesn't feel like it's changed much since the Victorian era', creating an atmosphere like not many others. From being crowned the Best Pub in the West Midlands by The Telegraph earlier this year to winning the CAMRA Dudley Pub of the Year for 2025, The Bull and Bladder (or as it is known to the rest of the country officially, The Vine), has been basking in well deserved success this year, so it was to be expected for it to feature in the list. Hawkes said: 'The Black Country has more high-quality pubs than pretty much any other bit of Britain. 'The Vine Inn (known locally as the Bull and Bladder) is perhaps the best because it's handsome, good value, and, most importantly, is attached to one of England's great old breweries, Batham's.' The fifth and final local boozer to make the cut was the historic Old Swan Inn in Netherton, known for its beer brewed on site and its beautiful, ornate enamel ceiling. In his description, Hawkes called it an 'unmissable' pub which has a charm that 'feels more authentically Victorian than any other you'll find in England'. To view the full list of pubs, visit
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ten new road safety schemes for Norfolk towns and villages after £2.6m boost
Ten new schemes to make roads in Norfolk towns and villages safer for pedestrians and cyclists have been revealed. Pedestrian crossings, bridges and cycle paths are among projects which Norfolk County Council has earmarked to spend £2.6m of newly-awarded government cash on. The Active Travel money is specifically to help pay for measures which will encourage people to walk or cycle. New pedestrian crossings are planned (Image: Paul Hewitt) The Conservative-controlled council has identified the following projects to get a share of the cash: -A pedestrian/cycle link between Hethersett and the Norwich Research Park and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital A new pedestrian / cycle link to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is planned (Image: Mike Page) -New signalised crossing on the B1332 in Brooke -Two new crossings of the A1101 (signalised) and A1122 (zebra) in Outwell -A footbridge in Nordelph -A crossing on Greenway Lane, Fakenham -A crossing on the A1064 in Filby -A crossing of Burgh Road in Aylsham -A toucan crossing of the A1066 Munford Road near Croxton Road in Thetford, to improve cycling access to Thetford rail station Thetford Railway Station (Image: Denise Bradley) -A signalised crossing of Poppy Way in Postwick -A signalised crossing of Yarmouth Road/The Street in Blofield. Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Sonya Duncan) READ MORE: Eight-month Norwich Airport link road work set to start Graham Plant, County Hall's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "This funding represents a significant opportunity for us to build on the progress we've made in promoting active travel across Norfolk. "By focusing on deliverable infrastructure projects and continuing our successful behaviour change programmes, we're not only improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, but also supporting healthier lifestyles, reducing emissions, and enhancing our communities. "These schemes link in to our long-term strategies and will help us create a more sustainable and connected Norfolk." Labour county councillor Chrissie Rumsby (Image: Norfolk Labour Party) However, at a council meeting this week, Chrissie Rumsby, Labour county councillor for Mile Cross, asked why new projects were being started when a proposed Active Travel-funded scheme for her area had been put on ice. The Conservative-controlled council "paused" development of a plan for Mile Cross at the end of January, just months after consulting the public on the project. The scheme included new cycle lanes and two new zebra crossings on Mile Cross Road, along with the closure of one end of Half Mile Road to vehicles. It could also, potentially, see more 20mph speed limits imposed. Mr Plant told Ms Rumsby that scheme was still being worked on, but that did not stop new projects being started elsewhere.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Train disruption expected due to crew shortages
Train passengers in the West of England have been warned to expect disruption on the railways on Sunday due to "crew availability". Great Western Railway (GWR) said fewer trains would run on a number of routes and that those that do run are likely to be busier. Those travelling between Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester or Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton should check their journeys before they travel. Service between Westbury and Portsmouth or Weymouth may also be cancelled, and also those between Reading and Gatwick and Reading and Basingstoke. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol GWR apologised for the disruption and said it would run a limited rail replacement bus service "where possible", along some of the routes affected. The company added that due to the complexity of updating timetable systems, journey planning apps are unlikely to show the changes until Sunday morning. Those who have already booked a ticket but decide not to travel can claim a full refund from the GWR website. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story GWR battery-powered trains could be used in future Railway visionary honoured with GWR train naming Railway staff walk 114 miles overnight for charity Related internet links GWR
