Did you know that much of Enid Blyton’s inspiration came from Dorset? Whilst the famous author, Enid Blyton never lived in Dorset, she holidayed and owned property in Dorset. Some of her most famous works has links to some great locations in Dorset.
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The Famous Five Books
Corfe Castle
First mentioned in Five on a Treasure Island, Kirrin castle, a dramatic hilltop ruin is believed to be based on the National Trust location, Corfe Castle.
At the beginning of The Famous Five series, the children discovered a treasure map leading to gold that was hidden in the Kirrin castle dungeons. The children are not the only people looking for the gold, so it’s a race to see who can find it first.
Brownsea Island
In the book Five Have a Mystery to Solve, the children are staying at a holiday cottage near the coast. Just offshore is Whispering Island. This is said to be based on Brownsea Island in Dorset.
There have been strange goings on reported on the island, so the children travel over to investigate. They find themselves locked in a strange cellar with some stolen treasure and have to escape.
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Kimmeridge Bay
The description in Five Fall Into Adventure of the beach with rocks and rock pools is believed to be Kimmeridge Bay.
The castle like house on the cliff top where the villain Red Tower lives is also believed to be Clavell Tower. George is being held captive in the tower and the children must find a way of rescuing her.
The Blue Pool
The references in Five on a Hike Together is believed to relate to the Blue Pool in Dorset.
The children are on a four day weekend break from school and plans to stay at a bed and breakfast named Blue Pond Farm. Their adventures take them to Gloomy Water, a marshy lake high on the moors.
Swanage Railway
It’s difficult to imagine any other railway than the Swanage Steam Railway being the inspiration for the Famous Five books. As Enid Blyton travelled to Dorset for her holidays every year, steam trains would have been the most likely mode of travel.
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Enid Blyton Facts
Enid Blyton was born on 11th August 1897 and died on 28th November 1968. Her books have sold over 600 million copies, and no doubt many of you grew up reading the Famous Five series, or the Secret Seven series.
I enjoyed Mallory Towers, and of course was read many of the Noddy books as a child too.
Enid Blyton’s first book was a collection of poems titled Child Whispers. Some other early works also include the Adventures of the Wishing Chair and The Enchanted Wood.
When holidaying in Dorset, Enid Blyton would often stay at Knoll House Hotel in Studland.
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