A unique collaboration between London Wildlife Trust’s Walthamstow Wetlands and The William Morris Gallery, bringing the magic of Tove Jansson’s island to the Walthamstow Wetlands in London. Beloved by children and adults alike, Tove is best known for her most famous creations, The Moomins.
Walthamstow Wetlands is Europe’s largest urban wetland nature reserve. It consists of 10 reservoirs, eight islands, and London's largest heronry.
Please note - more tickets may be available from 21 June, please sign up to our mailing list under ‘Get In Touch’ and we’ll let you know
Currently accepting walk-ups to the Engine House exhibition where possible - please note entry is not guaranteed due to COVID restrictions. Tickets are not required for trail.
“An astonishing number of people go about dreaming of an island”
Have you read the story “The Man Who Loved Islands”? (a D.H. Lawrence short story), Tove Jansson wrote in the Spring of 1963: “How about The Woman Who Fell In Love With An Island…?”
The Finnish-Swedish author, novelist, painter and illustrator had a a life every bit as incredible as her famous creations The Moomins.
One of the most successful children’s authors of all time, Tove was also known for her almost hermit like existence on a remote island in the gulf of Finland. In Tove’s work the island is found in various bodies, expressions and forms. It is narrated, painted, drawn and documented in novels, short stories, paintings and films.
©Per Olov Jansson
“The island is alive Moominpappa thought. My island is just as much alive as the trees and the sea. Everything is alive”
Moominpappa and the Sea
The Family Trail
Audio Download
A unique downloadable score from multi-instrumentalist and composer Erland Cooper, including field recordings from Klovharun by Kirsi Ihalainen and a new reading of Jansson’s essay ‘The Island’ by her niece Sophia Jansson.
And you don’t have to be a visitor to the Walthamstow Wetlands to enjoy the audio download – fans from all around the world will be able to download the piece and enjoy the magic of the island from wherever they are!
Image ©Ewa Rudling
The Engine House
An exhibition about Tove Jansson’s island home Klovharun, at Walthamstow Wetlands Engine House. The island inspired Jansson’s most famous creations The Moomins.
Walthamstow Wetlands
Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve is a unique place, just 15 minutes from Central London you’ll find a tranquil oasis, managed by London Wildlife Trust to provide home and shelter to a wide range of wildlife, from rare waterfowl to majestic birds of prey. The Wetlands is also a fully operational Thames Water reservoir which supplies the main drinking water supply for 3.5 million people.