Fairy Doors – A magical display at the Pannett Art Gallery

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm (last admission 4pm)

When you visit Pannett Art Gallery, make sure you seek out the series of beautiful fairy doors in an intriguing display in the Pannett Community Cabinet. These unique artworks are displayed alongside the drawings that inspired them, and the illustrations that inspired the drawings.

These fabulous, detailed, colourful wooden doors were created by Whitby Lion, Bob Bennett, with materials donated by J Hallam Joinery of Egton.

This collaborative project, exploring the whimsical world of fairies, was initiated by Whitby Lions, and involved local children, artists, the Friends of Pannett Park, and the Pannett Art Gallery.

Ten pupils from Stakesby Primary Academy were invited to a workshop at the gallery. Two further designs were created by the daughters of two members of the Pannett Park gardening team.

Inspiration was taken from Eileen Soper’s beautiful and charming illustrations made for Enid Blyton’s “Nature Readers”.   These include fairies, toadstool fairy houses, and tiny doors. 

The children’s drawings show tremendous imagination, creativity, and enthusiasm, and Bob has carefully reproduced the details in these designs to create the wonderful doors. Later in the year, all the doors will be placed in secret locations around Pannett Park in a magical trail, encouraging visitors to explore the park to find these hidden homes.

Pannett Art Gallery, Pannett Park, Whitby YO21 1RE

01947 600933

pannett.gallery@whitbytowncouncil.gov.uk