Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway tree found!

We recently visited an antique fair held within the grounds of the Larmer Tree, near Tollard Royal in Wiltshire. The garden takes its name from a tree, possibly a wych elm that stood on the site as early as the 10th century. King John was reputed to have hunted in the area and tradition states he met with his huntsmen under the branches of the Larmer Tree. The original tree was still living in 1894 but was eventually replaced by an oak. The gardens were created by General Pitt Rivers as pleasure grounds for ‘public enlightenment and entertainment', but were closed following the General’s death in 1900. In 1991 Michael Pitt Rivers, the General’s grandson set about restoring the gardens and they were reopened to the public in 1995.

After a walk around the fair and a cream tea at the Lodge Tearooms, we decided to explore the grounds. We were anticipating manicured lawns and beautiful flower gardens but were a little disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful place for a picnic and a stroll but lots of work is still needed to bring it back to its former glory.

At this point you are probably wondering what Enid Blyton has to do with any of this, but don’t worry, all is about to be revealed…

As you may know my husband is a keen photographer and never leaves home without a camera. I’ve also got into the habit of taking a camera everywhere and spend a lot of time trying to find something different to photograph. Terry always notices things before me, so I tend to look for ‘hidden gems’ and that was how I happened to notice a tiny little door set into the trunk of a tree!

To say I could not believe my eyes would be an understatement! Had we wandered across Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Wood where the trees, “a darker green than usual”, whisper their secrets? Was this the Magic Faraway tree inhabited by fairy folk and laden with fruit of all kinds from acorns to lemons? Would Moon-Face, Silky and old deaf Saucepan Man suddenly appear?  As Jo would say… "What will Dick think when we tell him about the Enchanted Wood and the Faraway tree?”

What we didn't know until later is that not one but ten of these little doors exist. John

We are planning another trip to the Larmer tree in the hope of finding the rest of the miniature doors, a tiny key and a bottle labelled “drink me” – OK I know that’s from Alice in Wonderland but sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.

The magic faraway tree book featured in this post is now sold, thank you for your interest.


Have you read The magic faraway Tree?