In Kensington Gardens stands what at first glance appears to be an old oak tree stump. Look a little closer, however, and an enchanted world begins to emerge.
Peering out from its bark are elves, fairies, goblins, witches and woodland creatures, all seemingly frozen in the middle of their secret lives within the Elfin Oak.
Created in 1930, the tree’s occupants were increasingly in need of some home decoration, and the Royal Parks charity has now completed a programme of conservation repairs to the Grade II-listed landmark
As part of the work, 97 carved figures, including Wookey the little old witch, Huckleberry the gnome and Harebell the fairy, were restored by specialist conservators.
The Elfin Oak was first unveiled in Kensington Gardens on 25th July 1930. Children’s book illustrator Ivor Innes transformed a mature oak from Richmond Park into a miniature fairy-tale realm, carving tiny inhabitants around its natural hollows, knots and branches as though they had always lived there.
For nearly a century, generations of children and adults have paused to discover the characters hidden among the bark. The magical tree has also attracted some notable admirers over the years. Actor Spike Milligan helped support two previous restorations, while Pink Floyd singer David Gilmour was photographed beside the Elfin Oak for the inside sleeve of the band’s fourth album, Ummagumma.
The latest restoration has also made it easier for visitors to appreciate the remarkable details of the carving. Changes to the protective enclosure, including the removal of mesh lining and a reduction in the number of surrounding bars, allow clearer views of the tiny woodland residents and the intricate world they call home.
The project was jointly funded by the Royal Parks charity and the Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Historic conservation specialists DBR Conservation carried out the restoration.
The Elfin Oak can be found near the entrance to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.