The Elfin Oak
From the North Gate of Kensington Gardens, just across from the station called Queensway, a traveler might proceed along the great path leading south. After but a short walk, can be found on the right, a small clock tower. Very close to this, and beside an outdoor purveyor of comestibles, the Elfin Oak will be found.
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The remaining stump is of an Oak being 900 years of age. Carefully carved by Mr Ivor Innes in the year 1911 to reveal the elfin folk that were hidden within. Thereafter maintained by that same gentlemen for a further 40 years.
Later restored by the efforts of the inimitable Mr Spike Milligan and friends in 1966, the Elfin Oak is now protected by its own cage of steel.
Peeking into this little world, one might still see – Wookey the witch, with her three jars of health, wealth and happiness, Huckleberry the gnome, carrying a bag of berries up the Gnomes’ Stairway to the banquet within Bark Hall, and Grumples and Groodles the Elves being awakened by Brownie, Dinkie, Rumplelocks and Hereandthere stealing eggs from the crows’ nest. Or, these fine characters :-
. . . . and many more
A book, with the title “The Elfin Oak of Kensington Gardens”, was later crafted by Ivor and Elsie Innes and revealed that “for centuries now it has been the home of fairies, gnomes, elves, imps, and pixies. In the nooks and crannies they lurk, or peer out of holes and crevices, their natural windows and doorways. It is their hiding-place by day, their revelry place by night, and when the great moon tops the bare branchless tree the Elfin Clans come out to play and frolic in the moonlight.”
Freed From Time 
What a gorgeous piece of oak. I’m so pleased it’s so well looked after.
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December 2, 2014 at 21:45
An unexpected find and so pleasing to think of people taking so much care, mostly for the benefit of children’s sense of wonder. 🙂
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December 2, 2014 at 22:38
Oh how creative and whimsical. I love this elfin world~
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December 2, 2014 at 22:24
Hmm, elves robbing stage coaches. Now there’s a thought. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed and not far from Kensington Palace. Pictures of the inside sometime soon. 🙂
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December 2, 2014 at 22:41
You bring the elves, I’ll get the stagecoach schedule……..
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December 3, 2014 at 07:17
oooh you are so naughty. 😀
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December 3, 2014 at 08:06
Never knew this was here!
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December 3, 2014 at 21:09
Yes, it is tucked away and a pleasant surprise.
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December 3, 2014 at 22:10
Brilliant. Thank you for the introduction to these marvelous elves! What a magnificent tree…
Many thanks as well for visiting my blog, much appreciated. Peace & light, jules
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December 4, 2014 at 07:44
Thank you and glad you enjoyed the elves. May they visit you soon. 🙂
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December 4, 2014 at 11:58
Well now THAT would be something extraordinary! ☺
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December 4, 2014 at 13:10
How whimsical! I love this! The world needs more whimsy.
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December 4, 2014 at 18:24
As you command
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ in a bottle.
and ‘ave one of them –
and have you got any tiramisu. 😀
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December 4, 2014 at 18:36
I shall put it on a shelf and release it bit by bit into the wild 🙂
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December 4, 2014 at 20:29
Very wise. Definitely an appropriate keeper of wild whimsy. 🙂
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December 4, 2014 at 22:56
Stunning Photographs!~ Thanks for sharing and best wishes to you. Aquileana 😀
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January 17, 2015 at 01:29
Oh look at these wonderful characters! But they are caged up – they may have escaped by now 😉
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June 13, 2017 at 22:51
Not to worry, they are quite attached to their oak tree. :-). A nice piece of whimsy though. 🙂
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June 14, 2017 at 09:35