A historic Farnham house once home to Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie is being put on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Barrie House, part of the original Black Lake Cottage off Tilford Road, was occupied by Barrie and his wife, actress Mary Ansell, between 1901 and 1908. It was during their time there that Barrie wrote The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island, widely regarded as an important precursor to Peter Pan.
The property also became a meeting place for figures from London’s literary and theatrical circles, including Arthur Conan Doyle, A.A. Milne and P.G. Wodehouse, who were members of Barrie’s Allahakbarries cricket team.
Current owners Glenn and Margie O’Brien moved into the property in September 1988 and raised their three children there.
Glenn said: “We bought in 1988. So it's the first time in nearly 40 years it's coming onto the market.”
He added: “Our children all grew up here and they went to the Tilford Village School and then on to various other places. And it's just been a lovely family house to live in.”
The couple have also spent decades researching and collecting material connected with Barrie and the property, including books, photographs, newspaper cuttings and other memorabilia.
They say living in the house has given them “a unique sense of history” and a fascination with the literary world that surrounded Barrie.
The five-bedroom property retains a number of historic features, including an inglenook fireplace and stone fireplace, and comes with gardens of around 0.64 acres and a self-contained annexe.
After almost four decades, the O’Briens have decided it is time to move on.
Glenn, who is in his 70s, said: “We've loved our time every minute of it, honestly.”
He added: “But it's downsizing really is the sort of most rational explanation.”
The property is being marketed through Savills’ Farnham office.
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