Visiting Peterswood

[Chindu]

I am planning to visit Bourne End this week, and I wondered if there were any specific sites that you might suggest? I am not sure if the Old Thatch is still open to public (?), and I also understand the Red Lion has lost the Enid Blyton room. I wondered if anyone familiar with Bourne End might be able to offer any insights? Is there an Enid Blyton 'walk' that one could take? And also: is the Green Hedges model in Bekonscot still there? Apologies for the many questions!

[Splodj]

You may already know this, but on Duncan McLaren's website he has maps for each mystery book showing where he thinks things happened.

https://www.enidblyton.me.uk/styled-7/index.html

[Fiona1986]

Old Thatch was sold and is no longer open to the public, but you can walk past and may be able to get a glimpse in through the hedge.

I love the riverside path that starts at the bottom of Coldmoorholme Lane, heading left. It is somewhere that you could absolutely believe you’d see the Find-Outers up ahead any moment.

[Barnard]

I would love to go there and see a fat boy wearing a red wig.

[Daisy]

And also: is the Green Hedges model in Bekonscot still there? Apologies for the many questions!

According to the Wikipedia entry about the village, Green Hedges is still there.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

I would love to go there and see a fat boy wearing a red wig.

There's an idea for a Society meet-up...

[Chindu]

You may already know this, but on Duncan McLaren's website he has maps for each mystery book showing where he thinks things happened.

https://www.enidblyton.me.uk/styled-7/index.html

Thank you so much -- what an invaluable site! I am dipping in and out between work!

[Chindu]

I would love to go there and see a fat boy wearing a red wig.

I can't promise the sight of Fatty in the butcher boy disguise, Barnard, but happy to post pictures from Bourne End, if that helps!

[Chindu]

And also: is the Green Hedges model in Bekonscot still there? Apologies for the many questions!

According to the Wikipedia entry about the village, Green Hedges is still there.

Thank you, Daisy. I also got a message back from Bekonscot folks to say the same. In case anyone else might find it useful, this is what they said:

Yes, Greenhedges is a permanent part of the Model Village. It can be easily found as there is a plaque beside it and a few recognisable characters in the garden! Also look out for Enid herself sat with her typewriter on her lap, her favourite way to write.

[Chindu]

Old Thatch was sold and is no longer open to the public, but you can walk past and may be able to get a glimpse in through the hedge.

I love the riverside path that starts at the bottom of Coldmoorholme Lane, heading left. It is somewhere that you could absolutely believe you’d see the Find-Outers up ahead any moment.

Thank you, Fiona. That sounds like a logical place to start.

[Fiona1986]

I would love to go there and see a fat boy wearing a red wig.

There's an idea for a Society meet-up...

Why am I suddenly imagining a dozen or so people of various heights, ages and sizes sneaking around Bourne End in red wigs? Last one to be caught by Goon wins!

[Moonraker]

In all honesty, I thought Bourne End was a bit of a dump. I much preferred Well End, where Old Thatch is situated in Coldmoorholme Lane. A lovely spot that leads down to the Thames. I seem to remember a bench somewhere near that had the name, Daisy, fixed on a plate.

[Chindu]

I saw your message just now, @Moonraker. So I missed the bench! Here's a Twitter 'live' thread (with photos) on my visit, though, if anyone would like to see how things are today in Peterswood. It's still ongoing, and will finish this today/tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/Chindu/status/1572214825312309248

[Splodj]

I suppose the inn was called 'Ye Ferry' when Fatty stayed there and the ferry was still in operation, which of course the FFO used. I see there is another inn on the other side of the Thames, which perhaps is where the ferry went to, only accessible by boat or on foot.