Crocodile in the Harbour: Bristol’s Most Unbelievable Urban Legend

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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