FIVE-STAR SUMMER

It’s 75 years since Enid Blyton’s Famous Five went to Treasure Island… Here’s where to recreate the magic

Take part in a giant picnic party, explore underground tunnels or go for a bracing sea swim

Caroline McGuire

Published: 14:23, 15 Jun 2017
Updated: 8:17, 16 Jun 2017

THIS year marks 75 years since The Famous Five set off for Treasure Island in the first of the hugely-popular Enid Blyton series.

In the story, Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy found a shipwreck of Kirrin Island and went off in search of treasure.

It's 75 years since The Famous Five set off for Treasure Island in the first of the hugely-popular Enid Blyton seriesCredit: PA:Press Association

The first book and the following adventures of the gang went on to become some of the most read tales in British history.

The books were the stuff childhood dreams were made of, with plenty of outdoor games.

Racing along underground tunnels, swimming in the sea and climbing trees were all part of the fun.

If you fancy recreating some of the magic this summer, including the famous picnics, there are plenty of ways to recreate the magic in the UK.

(free) which are part-natural pool filled by Atlantic tides.

(from £30) where they offer a range of wild swimming experiences in local rivers and lakes.

(free) in Devon is famous for its unusual natural arch, created over centuries by the crashing waves.

Have a tasty picnic

series in partnership with Enid Blyton Entertainment and Hodder Children’s Books.

The scheme aims to bring to life the much-loved values of The Famous Five: friendship, heroism, adventure, outdoors and daring.

Each garden will offer family activities including themed adventure trails, writing workshops, garden displays, immersive theatre, craft workshops and storytelling.

(from £8.50 per child and £13.50 per adult for a mine tour), an underground experience deep inside the 2,126 feet high Fleetwith Pike near Keswick, Cumbria.

(Adults £4, children £1.50), which is a subterranean enclave of winding tunnels decorated with 2000 sq. ft. of mosaics made out of cockle, whelk, mussel and oyster shells.

Follow in the Five’s footsteps in Blyton country

Follow in the Five’s footsteps on a trip to , the inspiration for Kirrin Castle (Adults £9.90; children £4.95 or free to National Trust members) by from Swanage (return tickets £12.50 for adults and £7.60 for children), then explore the ruins.

Hop on the boat to – re-imagined as Whispering Island by Blyton – with its lakes, wildlife and heath-land.

there, accessed via a 20-30 minute walk from the boat dock, or by kayaking, sailing or paddling straight to the south shore campsite from the mainland.

Learn the art of bushcraft

offers a range of off-grid bushcraft, fishing and kayaking experiences near the banks of the River Dart.

With no electricity or running water at camp, it’s proper back-to-nature stuff (two-day self-catered camp from £135 per child and £175 per adult).

In The New Forest National Park, there is also the first permanent wild play site, the , which encourages children to interact with nature through activities like den building and tracing animal tracks.

Watch out for pirates on the ‘Island of Adventure’