Great Western Railway folklore campaign brings Legend Trail

Great Western Railway folklore campaign marks World Book Day with a push to safeguard traditional regional stories. Great Western Railway (GWR) says it is partnering with one of the nation’s best-loved storytellers, Sir Michael Morpurgo, to bring the myths and legends of the South West and Wales to a new audience, as reported by Rail Business Daily.

Great Western Railway folklore campaign revives Line to Legend Land

Also, GWR is returning to its historic Legend Land concept a century after the original Legend Land series was completed. The refreshed Line to Legend Land book gathers 11 myths. The collection includes a personal introduction from the former Children’s Laureate, and it also features a new story written for this edition: The Miracle Dolphin of Mevagissey.

Set in a Cornish harbour, Morpurgo’s new legend explores the relationship between a fisherman’s son and a dolphin. It offers a fresh tale for a new generation of readers. In addition, the beautifully illustrated collection reshapes classic legends from the South West and Wales—stories that have been whispered and shared across these landscapes for centuries.

A modern retelling of South West and Wales myths and legends

Meanwhile, readers are taken from the mountains of Snowdonia, where the young wizard Merlin reveals two battling dragons hidden beneath a crumbling fortress. The book also reaches the Bristol and Avon Valley landscape, shaped in legend by the fierce battle between the giant brothers Goram and Vincent. Each story has been retold for a modern audience by Gloucestershire-based writer Brad Brookes, who lives among these age-old tales.

The Legend Trail brings station statues across the GWR network

At the same time, GWR is marking the book’s arrival by bringing the legends into stations through five statues of figures from the collection. The installations invite travellers to step out of the station and into a world of castles and mystical beasts.

Ranging from 5ft to 8ft tall, the statues include the Red Dragon of Cardiff, the Giants of Avon Gorge, and the Faeries of Pennard Castle. They have been installed at London Paddington before travelling to Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central, Swansea, Castle Cary, and St Ives—forming a physical Legend Trail across the network.

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Separately, GWR is sharing an online travel guide alongside the new Line to Legend Land book, with details for travelling to each location, so families can plan their own legendary adventures, with more information available via GWR. From Bath’s very hot springs linked to Prince Bladud, to the ancient ramparts of King Arthur’s Camelot in the heart of Somerset, scanning a QR code in the book takes readers to a roadmap for experiencing the spirit of these stories in the landscapes where they first took root.

Sir Michael Morpurgo said: “Folklore is the lifeblood of our landscape; it’s how we connect the earth beneath our feet to the imagination in our heads. Living in Devon, I have always felt a profound connection to the stories that haunt these hills and coasts.

A century ago, the original Legend Land series invited families to find magic in their journeys, and I am thrilled to help GWR revive that spirit. By retelling these ancient stories – including the addition of my own, The Miracle Dolphin of Mevagissey – we aren’t just looking back at the past; we are ensuring that the giants, dragons, and mermaids of our heritage continue to live on in the hearts of children today.”

Still, GWR Sales and Marketing Director Amanda Burns said the new Line to Legend Land book renews an invitation to explore the South West and Wales. She said the tales are inspired by stories that have been shared and reshaped through generations. She added that the aim was to create an immersive experience where myths step out of the book and onto stations, bringing the legends to life for everyone who travels with GWR. She said the operator wants to encourage families to set off on their own adventures and keep these stories cherished for years to come.

Michael Morpurgo tale supports Farms for City Children

For example, the new Line to Legend Land campaign supports Farms for City Children—founded by Sir Michael and Lady Clare Morpurgo—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Over that time, it has provided children and young people with opportunities to live, learn and thrive on working farms in Devon, Gloucestershire, and Pembrokeshire and to experience the countryside where many of the myths and legends were born, as Farms for City Children notes.

GWR has also donated copies of the Line to Legend Land book to 500 primary schools across its rail network. The aim is to help keep the surrounding local stories alive for years to come.

Farms for City Children Chief Executive Corinna Csaky said: “We are very grateful to GWR for its generous support and for shining a light on the extraordinary stories rooted in the landscapes surrounding our farms.

“At Farms for City Children, we see every day how powerful it is when young people step into nature, their confidence grows, their curiosity ignites and their imaginations flourish. We hope the legends in this wonderful book inspire even more young people to explore the beautiful natural environment of the South West and Wales, and discover the magic that lives within it.”

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