This splendid ancient oak grows a few hundred yards from Dormston Manor, which used to be known as Bagend Farm when it was owned by J R R Tolkien's aunt. Tolkien used to stay regularly at the farm during the 1920s when he was formulating his ideas for The Hobbit, and the old name for the farm was the origin of the name of Bilbo's home, Bag End. There is no hard evidence that Tolkien visited this tree, but it seems very unlikely that he did not know it, given its proximity to the farm. It is undoubtedly a very Entish tree!
This splendid ancient oak grows a few hundred yards from Dormston Manor, which used to be known as Bagend Farm when it was owned by J R R Tolkien's aunt. Tolkien used to stay regularly at the farm during the 1920s when he was formulating his ideas for The Hobbit, and the old name for the farm was the origin of the name of Bilbo's home, Bag End. There is no hard evidence that Tolkien visited this tree, but it seems very unlikely that he did not know it, given its proximity to the farm. It is undoubtedly a very Entish tree!
Public - partial access (e.g. next to footpath or road)
Surroundings:
Hedgerow, Arable
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Bagend Farm nearby is believed to have been the inspiration for Bag End in 'The Hobbit', hence the association with Tolkien. It is certainly a very Entish tree!
I should add that Bagend Farm is now called Dormston Manor, but the historic map shows its earlier name, current at the time when Tolkien's aunt lived there.
Fantastic tree and provenance. Thank you for sharing! In 2017 I did a walk of the Malvern Hills with friends from University. It was supposed to be a trip to "Middle Earth". We read some passages from The Fellowship of the Ring in the car and played music from the film. All a bit of fun but the scenery once there was amazing.
Bagend Farm nearby is believed to have been the inspiration for Bag End in 'The Hobbit', hence the association with Tolkien. It is certainly a very Entish tree!
I should add that Bagend Farm is now called Dormston Manor, but the historic map shows its earlier name, current at the time when Tolkien's aunt lived there.
Fantastic tree and provenance. Thank you for sharing! In 2017 I did a walk of the Malvern Hills with friends from University. It was supposed to be a trip to "Middle Earth". We read some passages from The Fellowship of the Ring in the car and played music from the film. All a bit of fun but the scenery once there was amazing.