Turnastone Court, a 400-year-old water meadow farm in Herefordshire, England, has been removed from the market after a public campaign urged for its protection. The farm, situated in the Golden Valley, is reputed to have inspired author C.S. Lewis in his creation of the fictional land of Narnia, the setting for his renowned chronicles, including "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
The charity Countryside Regeneration Trust, which purchased Turnastone Court in 2003 with the aim of preserving its historical significance, had recently decided to sell the property. However, local campaigners voiced concerns that the landscape, described by Lewis as resembling his vision of heaven, could be lost or altered if sold.
Historic Landscape
The farmland is considered by many to be the oldest pastureland of its kind in England, with a farming history dating back to 1130. Its unique features include a series of 16th-century stone sluice gates, representing one of England's earliest recorded water management systems. The land also supports numerous declining species, such as skylarks, yellowhammers, spotted flycatchers, and water voles.
Adjacent to the farm, on a hill above the village, lies the Neolithic burial mound Arthur's Stone. It is believed that Lewis used this landmark as a reference for the stone table in his writings, where the character Aslan is sacrificed.
Campaign for Preservation
Following the announcement of the sale, local residents and conservationists rallied to prevent the potential loss of the historically and culturally significant site. Their efforts have now led to the farm being withdrawn from sale, prompting calls for greater protections to be put in place to safeguard the land from future threats.