The reserve was established in 1979 by Ann Atkin, a former art student. Her account states,
While painting birds in landscapes I came to what was like a T Junction in my painting development. I did not know whether to turn left or right as different elements of what I liked in painting appeared irreconcilably in opposite directions. It was very disturbing! Until—one day—a gnome appeared in my mind and seemed to say: "Don’t go left; don’t go right; you must dig / build your own road straight across."
Ann Atkin established the reserve on Шаблон:Convert and remains the owner today. Gnome merchandise is sold to visiting tourists.[2] The reserve holds more than 2,000 gnomes and is included in the Guinness Book of World Records.[3] The four-acre reserve also has model pixies. The area includes woodlands, a stream, pond, meadow, and wildflower garden with "about 250 labelled species of wildflowers, herbs, grasses and ferns."[4] Photographs are allowed and encouraged. Gnome hats and fishing rods are loaned to visitors free of charge.[4] It is not uncommon for some gnomes to eventually get taken by the visitors.[2] The reserve has refused to sell gnomes with knives on their backs.[5]
See also
Watermouth Castle, also in North Devon, which is home to Gnome Land, a gnome-themed amusement park.
