Surrey Folk Tales

Surrey Folk Tales gathers thirty stories linked to the county’s towns, villages and landscapes. Janet Dowling retells accounts of dragons near Guildford, a talking puma, fairies who spirit people away and horses that grow wings to rescue bewitched villagers. Historical figures also appear, including Stephen Langton, King John, William the Conqueror and Matilda, alongside the more eccentric tale of Captain Salvin and his flying pig.

The collection moves between legend, local tradition and storytelling invention, showing how Surrey’s places have acquired stories of heroes, villains, saints and devils. Alongside the tales are verses, riddles and notes explaining how some accounts were gathered, adapted or connected with older historical and folkloric sources.