How Lymm’s ‘fairy rocks’ became a much-loved Christmas tradition

Hundreds of “fairy rocks” hidden in the woods are said to be bringing an extra sprinkle of magic to Christmas in Cheshire.

Helen Nelson and Tracy Wilkinson are a part of the Lymm Rocks group which started hiding “fairy rocks” before Christmas seven years ago. The idea is that people find the brightly decorated and colourful stones before returning them to the woods in the new year for others to discover and enjoy.

“It’s just magical seeing the looks on some of their faces,” said Helen, who posts clues on a Facebook group to help people find the “fairy glen”.

Helen and Tracy love painting rocks throughout the year, but focus on spreading the festive cheer in the run-up to Christmas.

“Christmas is all about magic and sharing and doing nice things,” explained Helen.

Each fairy painting gets a name.

Helen and Tracy said they had received some “heartwarming messages” from people who had found a rock named after loved ones.

They start painting the rocks each September.

They estimate they have painted about 300 rocks during the run-up to this Christmas.

Children and adults alike come to discover the fairies over the next few weeks, and some families have said it has become their new Christmas tradition, said Tracy.

Aria, seven, said “it’s just amazing”, and that she chose her rock because she liked how it was painted like “Santa”.

Jessica and Madeline said “they’re all so beautiful it was very hard to pick” their favourite.

They said finding the fairy glen had made them feel very happy.