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a tree full of tiny folk

Elfin Oak

FreeHidden gem
Kensington Gardens · Lancaster Gate
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An ancient hollow oak stump carved with tiny elves, gnomes and woodland creatures, in Kensington Gardens.

Getting there. By the Diana playground in Kensington Gardens, near Lancaster Gate.
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Kensington Gardens · Lancaster Gate
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The lowdown

Near the children's playground in Kensington Gardens stands the Elfin Oak, a thousand-year-old hollow tree stump transformed in the 1930s by the artist Ivor Innes into a magical miniature world. Carved and painted into its bark are dozens of little elves, gnomes, fairies and woodland animals, from a witch and a crocodile to families of mice climbing tiny staircases.

Loved by generations of children, it was even restored with the help of the comedian Spike Milligan. Now protected behind a railing, it is free to peer at, a charming and intricate slice of fairy-tale fantasy hidden among the trees of a royal park.

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The insider tip

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It sits behind a protective fence beside the Diana Memorial Playground, so look closely to spot all the little creatures. Going slowly with children to find the gnomes, mice and fairies is the whole delight.
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