Ideas To Create Your Own Famous Five Adventure

As a child I was transported away to dramatic tales of smugglers, secret tunnels and smart children who solved mysterious in the great outdoors. Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books drew me into a world where school holidays were anything but boring (unlike my own). Yes, the simple plots may have been a little obvious (even for a 7 year old) but they were compulsive reading. I wanted to be the sixth member of the Famous Five, joining Julian, Dick, George, Ann and Timmy the dog. This year marks 75 years since the first book in the series, Five on a Treasure Island, was published. To celebrate, a set of new covers have been created by illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson.

The Famous Five’s favourite treats of ginger beer and tongue sandwiches may no longer be in vogue but their popularity continues – 75 years later. With themes of adventure, escapism, problem-solving and a place where children always claim victory, it’s easy to see their appeal. But why leave the stories in the pages of the books? How about recreating your own real-life Famous Five adventures in the UK. Here’s a few suggestions how you can.

Dorset
Enid Blyton’s inspiration for the Famous Five books stemmed from Dorset and its Jurassic Coast. She fell in love with the area and visited three times a year for over 20 years. Much of the landscape and landmarks are woven into the Famous Five stories. Many of her characters were based on the people she met there.

The author spent much of her time in Purbeck. The small town is home to the 11th century Corfe Castle which was the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in the books. The castle, run by the National Trust, puts on guided tours and regular events for children. Exploring its fallen walls and crumbling towers, you’ll have the words from the Famous Five ringing in your ears as ravens circle above your head. Who knows, real life treasure may well be hidden beneath your feet and in the surrounding countryside.

Follow in Blyton’s footsteps by taking the 22-minute steam train from the seaside town of Swanage to Corfe Castle. It will instantly take you back in time to the Famous Five’s heyday. Blyton enjoyed swimming around Swanage pier, walking along the jurassic coast and enjoying its sandy beaches. Viewing the dramatic white cliffs, you can see where she got her inspiration for smugglers and rugged coves.

Blyton also admired nearby Poole Harbour. From Poole Quay you can go out to Brownsea Island which she based ‘Whispering Island’ on. Nearby Storborough Heath was the inspiration for ‘Mystery Moor’. In 1950, Blyton bought the Isle of Purbeck golf club where you can go for afternoon tea. For the full Enid Blyton experience, take a look at the Enid Blyton trail. For further inspiration go to the Visit Dorset website.

Go On A Famous Five Garden Adventure
Throughout the summer holidays, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is running a series of events for Famous Five fans. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Enid Blyton’s books will be brought to life at its four gardens: Surrey’s Wisley Gardens, Devon’s Rosemoor Garden, Essex’s Hyde Hall and Harrogate’s Harlow Carr.

Each location will offer family activities inspired by The Famous Five. Themed adventure trails and garden displays, craft workshops, storytelling and immersive Famous Five theatre will be on offer. Perhaps your children fancy writing their own adventure mystery? Then get tips from creative writing experts at daily workshops. All four gardens will also be holding a giant picnic party on 11^th August 2017, Enid Blyton’s 120^th birthday. For further information visit the RHS website.

Norfolk
Known as the City of Stories, Visit Norwich has come up with its own suggestions on how to recreate a Famous Five adventure. Explore ancient Norwich Castle, now an art gallery and museum, where you can gaze out over the city and check out its dungeons (just don’t get locked in). Although if you fancied emulating your Famous Five heroes and heroines -who would often get locked away – try your own cryptic escape. Or how about discovering Norwich’s underground hidden passages and caves which used to connect the city in an undercroft tour.

Leave the city behind and enjoy the great outdoors, just like the five friends, by going on a camping – or glamping -adventure. England’s unique waterlands, the Norfolk Broads, is the perfect place to go fishing and explore nature. While Norfolk’s sandy coastline stretches for miles. For more ideas and inspiration visit the Norfolk website.

Enid Blyton may have been inspired to write The Famous Five in Dorset but there are plenty of locations throughout the UK where you – and your children – can let their imaginations run free and discover your own Famous Five adventures.

Were you a Famous Five fan? Where would you like to go to create a Famous Five Adventure?

*Disclosure: I am working with VisitEngland as part of the Year of Literary Heroes, looking at the best travel across the country for those who love books. Check out the #bookengland tag to discover more and share your experiences.

** Pictures courtesy of VisitEngland, Hodder & Stoughton and Pixabay

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