Scotland’s Moat Brae has a unique place in culture as the house ‘where Peter Pan began’ and this weekend it’s opening its doors to the world as the new National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling.
The origins of Peter Pan come from these gardens. Photo by Graeme Robertson
The house and gardens were a play area for the creator of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie, when he was a child. Now the new centre will host themed permanent and rotating interactive exhibits, play and reading areas, discovery trails, a shop and cafe and a jam-packed schedule of activities designed to spark a love of reading and creativity.
The gardens have been transformed into a Neverland Discovery Centre, filled with a Wendy house, mermaid’s lagoon, pirate ship and a performance space. The centre will also be home to a six-foot doll’s house and the original Tinker Bell, which was rung every time the fairy appeared on stage in the original Peter Pan play.
Isla Naish rings the original Tinker Bell. Photo by Colin Hattersley
The townhouse in Dumfries dates back to 1823 and is situated in a picturesque spot overlooking the River Nith. Its claim to fame lies in the fact that J.M. Barrie was a friend of one of the children who lived there in the 1870s. He spent plenty of time in the gardens of the house playing pirates, an exercise in imagination that continued all the way to Peter Pan, the Lost Boys and Neverland. He credited the “enchanted land” of his childhood as the “genesis” of the tale of the boy who never grew up.
The house fell into disrepair at the start of the 20th century and was scheduled to be demolished in 2009 but a last-minute intervention by the newly formed Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust restored the house and garden, raising funds from the public to be turned into an attraction.
Theatre will also play a role in the new centre. Photo by Colin Hattersley
One of the patrons of the trust, Joanna Lumley, said in a statement that “the moment you step into Moat Brae you understand why J.M. Barrie called it ‘enchanted land’. It is fantastic that children and young people everywhere can now have the chance to enjoy its magic, discover the joys of Peter Pan, and revel in other children’s literature and stories from many different times, places and cultures. It’s a wonderful achievement.”
The post The house ‘where Peter Pan began’ is now a centre for children’s literature and storytelling appeared first on Lonely Planet Travel News.