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One-Time Home of ‘Peter Pan’ Author J.M. Barrie Lists in Surrey, England

The house, which still retains some early 20th century features, is asking £1.35 million

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The English country house that belonged to Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie in the early 1900s and provided the inspiration for his famed work "Peter Pan" is on the market and asking £1.35 million (US$1.75 million).

Lobswood House, formerly known as Black Lake Cottage, belonged to Barrie and his wife Mary Ansell from 1901 to 1908, according to listing brokerage Strutt & Parker. The property, in Farnham, Surrey, hit the market last week.

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The gardens of Lobswood House, the nearby woods and visits from children known as the Llewelyn Davies boys all provided the inspiration for Barrie’s work and characters, particularly "The Boy Castaways of Black Lake Island" in 1901. In 1904, the tale morphed into "Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up," first in the form of a play, then later, in 1911, the book.

The six-bedroom house still retains original features from Barrie’s tenure like the beams and the fireplaces, said Richard Banes-Walker, associate director at Strutt & Parker. Though the house has had many incarnations since Barrie’s ownership.

"It’s been a hotel, and I believe, a headquarters for the French Resistance in the Second World War," said owner Mark Jermyn, who purchased the home from his parents.

"During my parents’ time there was the occasional knock on the door from J.M. Barrie- or Peter Pan-enthusiasts who wanted to look around," he said.

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In 2015, the Jermyns added a substantial extension to the property, creating two additional bedrooms and another bathroom.

The vaulted master bedroom formerly served at Barrie’s study, Mr. Banes-Walker said, and is where he is believed to have done his writing.  

"We sell at lot of houses and it does pluck on the heartstrings when you have a proper literary connection," Mr. Banes-Walker said.

However, "unless you came across a J.M. Barrie die hard fan, it really doesn't make a difference on the value," he added.