BEYOND THE BOOK

STEP INTO THE PAGES OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD BOOKS WITH A VISIT TO THE PLACES BEHIND THE STORIES

TARKA THE OTTER . DISTANCE: OVER 2 HOURS FROM LONDON

Most of the action of ’s novel takes place on the rivers north of , in north Devon, and in the estuary, which washes the ancient silt of the Great Meadow, and the sandy, marram- covered dunes of Braunton Burrows.

After The Great War, Williamson came here to write. The labourer’s cottage he rented in Georgeham, where Tarka disturbs his dog, is still there and is now run as Skirr holiday cottage. Two of his favourite pubs, the Kings Arms and the Rock Inn, also remain. From , walk along the Torridge river to Canal Bridge, for the scenes of Tarka’s birth and death. Take a bus to Lynton, or make your own circular walk from , along the estuary, then north, and eventually inland, up onto the moor.

There are believed to be 30 otters on Exmoor. Dawn and dusk are the best times to see them but you’ll need great luck and patience. Leave your phone, step off the path, and go alone.

STAY AT THE OLD BAKERY, GEORGEHAM Have an eco-friendly stay at this laid-back B&B in the village of Georgeham, which generates its own electricity and serves eggs from its own hens. GEORGEHAMBANDB.CO.UK

ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND OXFORD. DISTANCE: 1 HOUR FROM LONDON

The story of Alice and the ludicrous world she visits first came to writer Lewis Carroll in Oxford as he rowed one Alice Liddell – daughter of the dean of Christ Church college – down the Thames to Godstow via Folly Bridge. Today, the stone river crossing still offers views up to the resplendent Christ Church, where Carroll taught, and is also a good place to hop aboard a punt or steamboat for a bob along the glistening Thames, conjuring images of Wonderland all the while.

Eagle-eyed visitors will spy a stained glass window within Christ Church’s cathedral dedicated to Alice Liddell, as well as the dining hall’s firedogs, which are said to have served as inspiration for the caterpillar’s incredibly long neck in the book. And then, of course, there is the horse chestnut tree with a horizontal bough in the Deanery Garden, supposedly the very one in which the Cheshire Cat sat, just as Alice’s own cat, Dinah, once did.

STAY AT THE OLD PARSONAGE, OXFORD A charming rabbit warren of a hotel, with vast fireplaces and an exemplary restaurant. OLDPARSONAGEHOTEL.CO.UK WIN ALL YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S BOOKS

We’re giving away a bundle of all the Puffin books seen here, as well as a generous selection of Cawston goodies, to three winners.

The perfect accompaniment to a chilled day in the park or a lazy day at the seaside.

TO ENTER, GO TO CAWSTONPRESS.COM/PUFFIN

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS BERKSHIRE. DISTANCE: 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES FROM LONDON

A short distance up the Thames from Oxford, is Cookham Dean, a pretty and dozy part of the Thames. Here, as Ratty says, "Nothing seems really to matter, that’s the charm of it. Whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all".

Seekers of badger’s home deep in the Wild Wood, should make for the thickly carpeted Quarry Wood to work up an appetite for a Thames-side picnic. For it is here, on this broad stretch of river that links Cookham Dean to Henley via Marlow, that the heart of the tale lies, overhung by willow trees and slowed by weirs and instantly reminiscent of Robert Ingpen’s classic illustrations. You can even hire a rowing boat from Hobbs of Henley for your own afternoon of messing about on boats.

STAY AT BEL AND THE DRAGON, COOKHAM This bijou five-bed inn is brimming with character, with low-beamed ceilings and open fires BELANDTHEDRAGON- COOKHAM.CO.UK

“Nothing seems really to matter, that’s the charm of it. Whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all”

For more playful escapes, seaside days, competitions, wild adventures and picnic spots check out our Summer Picks magazine. Email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you a copy.

CHILL OUT WITH YOUR FAVOURITE READ. HERE’S OUR SIMPLE TIPS TO FREEZE FLOWERS AND FRUIT IN ICE.

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