This month, our resident history sleuth dives into the murky links between Peter Pan and Nottingham's Arboretum...
With summer showing signs of its presence in every beer garden and the beginning of hay fever-induced runny noses, you may find yourself visiting Nottingham’s green spaces. However, while there are plenty of parks bound to wind up infested with couples on picnic blankets and mass games of one bounce, there is one special spot which is believed to have inspired one of Britain’s most iconic fictional islands: Neverland.
Before J. M. Barrie began writing what would go on to be a staple piece in Disney’s endless merch catalogue, and a favourite for kids to go berserk at when Hook is in fact ‘behind you’, the Scottish writer spent a few years in the East Midlands. In 1883, Barrie moved to Nottingham and worked as a reporter for the Nottingham Daily Journal. During his time in Notts he resided on Birkland Avenue, conveniently right next to the Arboretum, which he would pass through everyday to-and-from work.
Little did Barrie know at the time, but this walk would inspire the foundations of the mermaid lagoons in Neverland. With the Arboretum being home to a lagoon-like pond, exotic plants and squawking birds, the parallels between a fantastical world and a lovely part of Nottingham can be drawn following a stroll through its greenery. The iconic Bell Tower, meanwhile, houses four Crimean War cannons, rather reminiscent of Captain Hook’s artillery.
While never explicitly stated, it seems Barrie drew inspiration from Nottingham’s picturesque parks – during his time at Birkland Avenue, he would also meet the father of the boys who likely inspired Peter’s trusty Lost Boys
Despite Hollywood’s countless adaptations of Peter’s Neverland, one constant feature of the land far, far away is its lagoons. Curiously, these are often frequented by mermaids, but not quite the Ariel type you’d want to hang around. In the original 1901 edition of Peter Pan, these mermaids were fairly nasty creatures who tried to drown Wendy. Presumably, Disney made the conscious choice to remove this scene due to an unwritten rule: attempted drowning of kids isn’t allowed in cartoons.
So, while never explicitly stated, it seems Barrie drew inspiration from Nottingham’s picturesque parks – during his time at Birkland Avenue, he would also meet the father of the boys who likely inspired Peter’s trusty Lost Boys. Arthur Llewelyn Davies was a student at the University of Nottingham who became a close friend of Barrie’s. Following both of their departures from Notts, the two kept in touch – Barrie developing a close relationship with his family over the next few years.
As Lleweyn Davies' sons grew up, they spent time in imaginative play with Barrie, becoming a key part in the evolution of Peter Pan's fixation with continued childhood fantasies. This relationship, which began in Nottingham, would go on to influence his magnum opus. Two historical markers have been placed around the city to commemorate his time here – one on Birkland Avenue and the other on Pelham Street where he once worked.
So, there you have it. Go outside and indulge in Notts’ beauty, whilst the weather allows it, perhaps taking inspiration from our lovely city to write your own play (with Disney money in mind). Or, just take a leisurely stroll through the park which helped to inspire one. Just try and avoid the mermaids. These ones tend to bite.
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