A six-foot reptile, a viral tweet, and a city that leaned into the mystery.

In 2014, a Bristol bus driver reported a crocodile swimming in the River Avon. Within hours, the story exploded across the city—sparking more sightings, unofficial warning signs, and even a film. But was there ever a croc... or just a log and a clever bit of myth-making?
This episode of Peculiar Britain plunges into the murky waters of one of the UK's most bizarre modern legends. With eyewitness accounts, fake heads, local art installations, and zero official investigations, the tale of the “Bristol Crocodile” reveals how quickly folklore can flourish in the age of memes and mobile cameras.

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https://peculiarbritain.wordpress.com – where folklore gets fierce.

Was it a deer, a demon—or a devilishly clever stunt?

When Bristol Zoo Project released night vision images of a “winged and horned” creature in October 2024, panic and intrigue spread like wildfire. Was this Britain’s next big cryptid—or just a cunning Halloween hoax? In this gripping episode of Peculiar Britain, we dissect the evidence, folklore, and frenzy behind the Bear Wood Beast. Featuring public reactions, mythological parallels, and a deep dive into the zoo’s curious timing, we separate fact from fantasy in one of the UK’s strangest modern mysteries.

Want more strange stories from Britain’s shadowy corners?

Follow our podcast and explore the archives at

https://peculiarbritain.wordpress.com – where folklore gets fierce.