Folktales of the Peak District

The Peak District is noted for its beautiful and varied scenery, its fascinating history, and its abundance of folktales. The sixty-two pieces in this collection include both wonder tales (fairy tales) and local legends, together with a few genuinely historical stories that have caught the popular imagination. Some of the tales are tragic, some are comic; some are very short, some are longer; many (even the historical ones) have ghost-story elements, which readily attach themselves to real-life stories. What they all have in common is that they reflect aspects of Peak District life, character, scenery and history. All the stories in this collection are written with recitation in mind, because folktales are for telling aloud. Notes at the end of the collection explain the sources and significance of each tale. Sketch maps are included to indicate the locations in which the tales are set, so interested readers can visit the scenes, most of which are illustrated by the author’s photographs. Many of these locations are easily accessible by road, but some involve significant walks through the countryside that gave birth to the stories. Folktales of the Peak District will charm its readers and enhance their appreciation of this lovely part of England.