The country retreat where JM Barrie dreamed up Peter Pan to entertain three young houseguests
Set on 1.5 acres of land on the edge of Bourne Wood, Lobswood House has been sympathetically renovated to retain the charm that inspired one of Britain’s best-loved literary characters.


Sitting within an acre and a half of land on the edge of Bourne Wood is Lobswood House, a period home that has been sympathetically renovated to retain the charm which produced one of Britain’s best-loved literary characters.
Currently for sale through Strutt & Parker at a guide pride of £1.35 million, this beautiful period property just south of Farnham in the Surrey Hills AONB boasts six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a wealth of literary history.
Originally called ‘Black Lake Cottage', the stunning open-plan country house was the summer retreat of author Sir JM Barrie from 1901 to 1908, the years in which he created Peter Pan. At the house in the summer of 1901, Barrie made a photo-book called The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island, charting the adventures of the three Llewelyn Davies boys. – the sons of Barrie's London neighbours and close family friends, who often stayed with the writer at the cottage. Barrie created the character of Peter Pan to entertain the boys, spinning out a tale about how the youngest of the brothers (Peter) could fly. The first novel featuring Peter Pan, The Little White Bird, was published in 1902, with the stage play Peter Pan – which turned the character into a global success – coming two years later.
Barrie drew inspiration from Bourne Wood and Lobswood’s gardens – impeccably developed and enlarged by his wife, Mary – during the summers of 1901 to 1908, while Mary transformed the cottage into the wonderfully bright family home it is today.
The author of her own book, The Happy Garden, Mary Ansell leased Lobswood House after six years of childless marriage as the couple’s second home. She spent her time in the garden while James, often absent altogether, shut himself in the bedroom to work.
The interior has been lovingly refurbished since the Barries left the in 1908. The beamed dining room flows seamlessly into the large kitchen, where the red bricks of the original cottage have been exposed and imaginatively incorporated into the décor, giving the room a wholesome, rustic feeling.
A substantial extension added to the property in 2015 provides two further bedrooms and an additional bathroom, with an airy reception room which looks out onto the heated swimming pool and pool house – complete with a changing room, shower, kitchenette and a large games room.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The property also boasts a wide gravel drive, charming water garden and a tennis court – though the latter is now in need of refurbishment.
Lobswood House is for sale via Strutt & Parker – see more details and pictures.
The real-life Peter Pan home – where Wendy and the boys lived – is up for sale
A windmill with 900 years of history that has become a delightfully quirky Sussex home
If you're looking for a two-bedroom home that offers something a bit out of the ordinary, the Windmill at Barnham
The devastatingly pretty home where Sir Walter Scott became a literary superstar
Within the splendid walls of Ashiestiel House, Sir Walter Scott enjoyed the happiest years of his life as he wrote
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A bridge just far enough: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 4, 2025
Lions, castles and even a couple of US-themed questions for the 4th of July in Friday's Quiz of the Day.
By Country Life Published
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyle
Across the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
By Anna White Published
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villas
Matthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
By Matthew Dennison Last updated
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the market
The Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in Fulham
A dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call home
This blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published