The following article is by Rupert Hardy, chair of North Dorset CPRE, but written in the spirit of Enid Blyton. It is a contemporary pastiche created with the assistance of AI
Rupert Hardy takes a cheerful journey into the world of Enid Blyton — a world of smugglers and secret passages, ruined castles and lonely islands … with lashings of ginger beer
All images courtesy of The Barry Cuff Collection
Many people who grew up after the war will remember Five on a Treasure Island, the very first adventure of Julian and Dick, Anne and George, and Timothy the dog. Yet not everyone knows just how much of Enid Blyton’s beloved world was inspired by Purbeck and the Dorset coast. Enid Blyton was once voted Britain’s best-loved author, and it is not hard to see why. She wrote hundreds upon hundreds of books — nearly 800 altogether — and generations of children eagerly waited to discover what mystery or adventure might come next. Her stories have been turned into television series and films, and many writers have spoken warmly of her influence.
Even JK Rowling has admitted that Enid Blyton helped inspire her imagination.
Children everywhere remember the midnight feasts, the adventures without grown-ups, and the exciting discoveries hidden behind ordinary-looking doors. As a grandfather myself, I have greatly enjoyed some of the humorous modern parodies too — especially Five Go Mad in Dorset!
Purbeck — land of adventure
From the 1940s until the 1960s, Purbeck was one of Enid Blyton’s happiest holiday places. She came to Dorset to rest, walk and gather ideas for future stories.
The wild coastline, purple heathland, lonely towers and ruined castles delighted her imagination. She loved the Dorset sky and sea. In Five on a Treasure Island she wrote of a sky “so beautifully blue that Anne couldn’t help feeling it had been freshly washed.” Her favourite place to stay was the Knoll House Hotel in Studland. I remember visiting it myself as a small child. In those days it seemed grand and full of mystery. Nearby stood the heathland golf course of the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, which appeared in Five Have a Mystery to Solve.
Studland itself inspired Toy Town, where Noddy and Mr Plod lived their cheerful adventures. The real-life inspiration for Mr. Plod was PC Christopher Rone, the tall, burly Studland village policeman.
Not far away rise the romantic ruins of Corfe Castle, which became Kirrin Castle in several of the Famous Five books. Even today the old steam railway still puffs its way through the countryside, just as it did in Blyton’s time. Another place full of mystery was Brownsea Island, which appeared in disguise as Whispering Island. In Five Have a Mystery to Solve, the children call it Keep Away Island because the island’s owner disliked visitors and often turned people away: at the time it was written, the island was owned by the very reclusive Mrs Bonham-Christie. Visitors were absolutely not welcome, and she let the island return to nature.
In Five Fall Into Adventure, the children roam around Kimmeridge Bay, peering up at the cliffs where a grey stone tower watches over the sea. This was almost certainly Clavell Tower, standing lonely and mysterious against the sky. Nearby to the north lies the magical Blue Pool, which Blyton described as “an enormous blue lake that glittered in the August sunshine.” It is easy to imagine the Famous Five picnicking nearby with hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches and bottles of ginger beer. Indeed, almost every corner of Purbeck seems touched by Enid Blyton’s imagination.
Storm clouds over the stories
Yet Enid Blyton’s books have not escaped criticism. The Famous Five themselves reflect attitudes common in Britain many decades ago. Julian is the confident leader, Dick follows loyally behind, George is brave and independent and Anne is often shown as timid and domestic. Today, many readers feel Anne’s character reflects old-fashioned views about girls and women. During the 1970s, teachers and librarians criticised Blyton’s books for being repetitive and morally simple. Others accused some stories of racism or xenophobia. Certain Noddy books, for example, included golliwog characters that many people now find offensive.
Supporters of Blyton argue that she was very much a writer of her own time. Britain in the 1940s and 1950s was a very different country, and many attitudes then accepted would no longer be considered acceptable today. At the same time, George remains important to many readers as one of children’s fiction’s earliest tomboy heroines — bold, adventurous and determined to be treated equally with boys.
In later years, publishers altered parts of Blyton’s stories to make them more modern. Characters were changed, words updated and controversial passages removed.
Yet many readers preferred the originals, believing the books should remain as historical works rather than being heavily rewritten. By 2016, the publisher Hachette UK announced that it would largely return to the original texts, while still making small updates where necessary.
Enid Blyton’s personal life also became controversial, with some biographies portraying her as difficult and distant within her family life. But for most readers, it is the stories themselves that remain unforgettable.
Enduring appeal
Why does Enid Blyton continue to enchant readers after so many years? Partly because her books move so swiftly. Every chapter ends with danger, excitement or discovery. Children long to escape into a world where they can solve mysteries themselves, roam across cliffs and islands, and make their own decisions without adults constantly interfering.
Her descriptions of landscape are another great strength. She began her writing career as a nature writer, and Dorset’s sea, heath and woods shine brightly throughout her adventures. Above all, Blyton created a wonderful fantasy of freedom. For children growing up in the grey austerity of post-war Britain, her stories offered sunshine, adventure, friendship and excitement.
Even today, children still dream of secret tunnels, hidden treasure and midnight feasts. Perhaps that is why Enid Blyton’s books have never truly faded away. Encourage children and grandchildren to discover the Famous Five for themselves — and if possible, take them to Purbeck too. There they may still find ruined castles, lonely bays, whispering islands and perhaps – just perhaps – the beginning of an adventure …
