IT’S been years since I’ve looked for fairies, yet it’s a grey-skied Sunday in November, and here I am.
I’m trundling down a woodland driveway, my vision partially obscured by constant flutterings of orange leaves – which is the entrance to Dreamery Gardens, England’s first fairy sanctuary.
Launched in 2019, this folklore-filled woodland, located just outside York, has somehow remained under the radar.
Founded by husband-wife duo Carolyn and Christian, the “sanctuary” is an extension of a magical-themed glamping site and traces the imaginations of their four children, who once ran wild beneath the trees.
If Terabithia were a real place, consider its hiding spot leaked. Clutching a map, I’m standing at the beginning of its 1.5km forest trail.
The entrance staff have thoroughly prepped me: the route takes a little over an hour, and connects mythical “stations,” including a maze and over 100 fairy doors. No toilets inside. Remember that the maze is difficult. Simple, right?
Shrubbery is draped with twinkling strings of lights, and since the autumn sun is blatantly refusing to shine, the low-light contrast is already kicking in.
It could be the Christmassy decorations, or the nostalgia of hazily recollected fairy tales. Either way, there is a festive atmosphere in the air.
The sounds of frivolous partying from Pan’s Tavern drift around the very first corner; a wooden pub, no more than a metre tall, is illuminated with soft lights.
From there, the map is all but forgotten – incensed by novelty, I follow distant doors, passing a Narnia-esque lamp post, two dragon nests, and a swamp with a cottage.
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Each attraction has a signposted story, spinning a whimsical explanation that blurs fact with fiction.
Somehow, I miss the path for the maze, so arriving at Titania’s Garden, sheepishly scuttle back to the beginning.
The irony isn’t lost on me. As it transpires, the ominous warning was also correct.
The maze was tricky enough to ensnare a family of three; we passed them three times and emerged to their bewildered grandparents – now looking for comfortable toadstools to continue their wait.
It’s a good thing we didn’t join them, as the clock is ticking and fast-approaching our 2.30PM reservation in the cafe.
I’d been swayed by an upgrade; tickets start at £14.95 per adult, but £35.90 sneaks an afternoon tea into the package.
“We’ve noticed more and more adults visiting,” Carolyn smiles, while placing down my drink, a marshmallow-topped hot chocolate.
Seated in the warmth, the add-on doesn’t disappoint. The three-tiered stand is rustically crafted with a branch connecting circular wooden platforms.
Even fairies eat their savouries first, and starting bottom-up, the first layer has a sensible concoction of cucumber, salmon, and ham sandwiches.
Adult-leaning additions include Twiglets and crumbled olives with crackers.
The second-tier blows savoury out the window, and, in true forest theme, has two meringues so closely resembling white-button mushrooms that I give one a squeeze.
Scones bring up the rear: balanced on the top tier amidst chocolate pine cones and flower petals.
We polish off the feast to an infectious backdrop of medieval music and families laughing.
This afternoon has whizzed by, and I make a mental note to visit the adjoining Fairy Museum before returning to the car park.
We emerge triumphantly stuffed, with nostalgia aplenty and sugar rush secured. Christmas has come early in this patch of York woodlands.
Plus, one writer visited the European city where ‘fairytales began’ with beautiful mountain parks and cheap Ryanair flights.
And the fairytale village a few hours from UK where you can spend night in giant pumpkins and mushrooms.