Wayland Smith's cave

 

Richard Jefferies wrote about the Wayland Smithy (just off the Ridgeway) in an article for the North Wilts Herald published on 2 November 1867. He wrote under the name 'Geoffrey' and there were eight articles in all as part of his 'History of Swindon and Antiquities of its Environs' that was later published as Jefferies Land and edited by Grace Toplis in 1896.

 

"It has much the appearance of an altar. Sacrifices may have been offered to the deceased Dane [King Bagsac] – if he was interred beneath. Some think it a work of the Druids. It is evidently very ancient, being mentioned in a Saxon charter as a land mark. The country people call it Wayland Smith’s cave, and tell a story of an invisible smith who shoed traveller’s horses on condition of their laying a groat upon the altar-stone and then retiring out of sight - whistling when hid as a signal, and leaving the horse near. Presently there would be a tinkling of hammers, and on returning to the spot the horse would be found shod and no one in sight. This legend came under the notice of Sir Walter Scott, who is said to have visited the place. He has embodied it in the novel of Kenilworth. The legend is thought to have originated in a Danish superstition concerning spirits who dwelt in rocks, and were cunning workmen in iron and steel."

Richard Jefferies memorial elm in Tolworth

Andrew Rossabi (President of the Richard Jefferies Society) gave a talk at Surbiton Library on Richard Jefferies’ Tolworth years on 26 September 2018. It was a beautiful sunny day and this memorable occasion was followed by a walk to the Richard Jefferies Bird Sanctuary where a young English elm sapling, that was Dutch elm disease-resistant, was planted as a Jefferies’ memorial in The Wood next to the Sanctuary fence and behind Surbiton Station.

Some 3 years later, on Sunday 9 January 2022 the tree was chopped down to the ground by vandals. However, wonderful local volunteers have continued to care for it and given the elm a chance to rejuvenate. 

It was photographed by Colin Corkerton (Chair of the Richard Jefferies Society) on 6 June 2026. It is a delight to see the tree growing so healthily now from four stems that developed from the stump.

Richard Jefferies would be proud to be honoured in this manner.

 Our thanks to all concerned, that include Lucy Furlong, Alison Fure and Phil Renton, for keeping Jefferies’ alive in Tolworth.