Exploring Second Life 2026 – Page 6 – Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld

Of New Santorini and Lost Gardens in Second Life

Posted on July 24, 2026July 24, 2026 by Inara Pey

*New Santorini, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

Santorini is the largest island of an archipelago in the southern Aegean Sea. Officially called Thira (Thera in classic Greek), the island is world-renowned for the brilliant, white-washed walls of its buildings – perhaps most keenly exemplified by photographs of the principal city, Fira.

Within Second Life, New Santorini is renowned for being a part of the Calas Galadhon estate, operated by Tymus Tenk and Truck Meredith and a team of talented supporters. Inspired by the physical world’s Santorini, it is a place I last visited in 2019, just after its return to Second Life after an absence of around 3.5 years.

At that time, Ty and Truck were still debating how to further develop the regions – Eriador and Erebor – in which Santorini and the Lost Gardens are located. As such, and with the passage of a further seven years(!), I felt it was high time I dropped back in to see what has happened.

New Santorini sits at the eastern extreme of the Calas Galadhon estate – itself a favourite location of mine, oft covered in this blog. It can be reached via direct teleport to a Landing Point sitting a brief walk away from the town, or via one of two routes linking both New Santorini and the Lost Gardens of Thera with the rest of the Calas Estate.

One of these links is a causeway running out along the north side of the Bay of Bel, whilst the second take the form of a bridge connecting the Gulf of Lune, and thence up the southern island of the Bay of Bel. Both routes can be travelled on foot or horseback – they are both a part of the Calas Galadhon horse trail, and if you’ve never been horse riding in Calas Galadhon, it is an absolute must, again as I’ve written about in the past. You can either use your own horse or one from the many rezzers available throughout the parklands.

Along both of the routes out to New Santorini are villas which are open to the public, with the more southern from the Gulf of Lune passing by way of the Villa Eirini with its hilltop Zen garden, whilst also offering a teasing glimpse of some of the submerged ruins of the Lost Gardens of Thera.

Like its physical word inspiration, New Santorini sits atop a tall escarpment rising from the sea. Whether this is part of a caldera wall or not is entirely up to you to decide; either way, the whitewashed houses rise up from the rocks rich in vegetation, steps offer the way up to the buildings from a waterside plaza where balloon and underwater tours might be taken, with the steps pausing first at the local church.

It is here that I should mention that all of the buildings within New Santorini are fully furnished and decorated, all in a style fully in keeping with the location, and all are open to the public. There are no private rentals within the setting, so buildings can be explored as much as New Santorini’s alleys and footways.

The latter pass around, between and in front of the houses and buildings as they sit clustered together. Alleyways form canyons of whitewashed walls and blue-tiled steps which rise and fall to provide access to more and more of this engaging little town.

Many of the houses have balconies before them offering views out over the surrounding waters and across to the rest of Calas Galadhon. There are also two large terraces. One is located towards the middle of the town where it extends out over the roofs of the houses below. Backed by a small café it has plenty of outdoors seating and room for dancing whilst offering a grand view out over the bay below.

The second terrace is located at the eastern end of the houses and forms another rooftop space. Reached via a spiral stair, it forms a delightful retreat, complete with a small roof garden centre on a statue of a satyr and his female lover.

This terrace is quite my favourite spot, rich in the colours of summer, watched over by a trio of friendly French Bulldogs and with a big, cosy sofa which can be shared with friends.

Below the town and running across the front of the escarpment on which New Santorini sits, is a long bridge reach around to a western headland. The later points a sandy finger south to the Phoenix stage as it looks back towards New Santorini. Watched over by a large statue of Poseidon, the Phoenix is home to many of the events organised and presented by the Calas team, and a teleport up to another venue – the 1950s-style Calas Skate-o-Rama – can be found toward the end of the walk leading to it.

The western end of New Santorini’s island used to be an area of ancient ruins, perhaps destroyed by an earthquake only to leave parts of arched walls, some standing, some partially collapsed. Some still remain, but a portion of this area has been reclaimed and built upon to become home to a couple of enterprising businesses presumably catering to the beach below them.

The open-end oval of the bay caught within the sweep of New Santorini and the Phoenix headland forms the first part of the extensive Lost Gardens of Thera, an absolute must-see for any visit.

The Gardens can be enjoyed in many ways – merfolk are especially welcome, but swimmers and scuba divers can also freely explore, whilst ancient steps just off the causeway leading out from the Landing Point allow those on foot easy access to the gardens (and allow those who take the submarine tour with a way to climb back up to dry land at the end of the tour). Note that scuba gear can be obtained from a free vendor towards the bottom end of these steps.

The submarine tour is really the best way to gain a good view of the entire Lost Gardens and the sea floor beyond them. It can be found just below the terrace in front of the steps leading up to New Santorini. Tours take around 20 minutes and are really worthwhile.

Capable of sitting individuals or couples, the submarine is a very Steampunkian-come-wind-up take on the Disney Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. To use it, simply sit on board, set your desired pose(s) then touch the hull to get started (you will likely have to adjust the position of your camera as well). It might take a few seconds before the submarine starts moving; presumably it is winding itself up – the key to its propulsion system sticks out the back and serve as the propeller!

The 20-minute balloon tour, meanwhile will carry passengers around New Santorini and beyond. Once seated in a balloon, touch the top of the envelope to get started. After circling New Santorini and the Lost Garden it will take passengers further over the parklands, eventually depositing them in the heart of Calas Galadhon – so if you specifically want to see New Santorini after TPing / riding there but are also interested in the balloon tour, be sure to take the latter after you’ve wandered the town and explored the Lost Gardens!

Calas Galadhon is a joy to visit wherever you choose to set down. It is possibly the longest-running, privately held public park in Second Life, providing no fewer than 14 publicly-accessible regions to explore, none of them restricted by private residences or similar, as well as providing a range of weekly music events. And, of course, there are also the special Calas seasonal regions for Halloween and Christmas.

Calas Galadhon continues to exist through the generosity of visitors to the parklands; so if you enjoy visiting New Santorini or any other part of the parklands, please do consider making a donation towards the estate’s continued presence in SL.

SLurls and Links

New Santorini (Eriador, rated Moderate)
Park Main Entrance (Calas Galadhon, rated Moderate)
Calas Galadhon website
List of SLurls to Calas Galadhon regions and attractions
Calas Galadhon in this blog

A Blue Finch summer in Second Life

Posted on July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 by Inara Pey

*Blue Finch, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

It has been a couple of years since my last visit to Blue Finch, the Full region held and designed by Dianna (Dianna Harmony), and which has once again been featured in the Destination Guide.

In previous iterations of the location – some of which you can read about here – I’ve found it to be richly diverse, attractive and highly photogenic. This very much remains true of the current iteration, although I have to admit that at times I felt there was perhaps a little too much going on, particularly around the Land Point, where a lot is packed in.

The flipside to this is that for those who like to have things to do when visiting a location, Blue Finch certain delivers: there are boat tours through the waterways running through the region; a land-based tour on the back of an owl bear; mini-golf; and bicycles to ride. Plus the fact that the events space, cave dining and mini-golf have all been gathered together means that they don’t intrude into the rest of the region’s very natural beauty.

Excellent use is made of trees and foliage throughout the region, which combine with the rugged uplands and hills and curtain walls of cliffs to naturally break-up the landscape and separate the various areas, the paths and trail winding through, over, under and between these giving a sense of space to the entire setting and quickly overcoming the initial sense of “busy-ness” that might be felt around the Landing point and its immediate surrounds.

Welcome to Blue Finch, a charming coastal town with stunning waterfront views and relaxing activities. Tour the region aboard the Cuddly Owl Bear, explore by bicycle, enjoy a boat ride, play mini golf, visit cosy cafés, swim, relax on a floating raft, or unwind on the beach. Whether seeking adventure, friendship, or quiet moments, Blue Finch offers a perfect escape filled with beauty, comfort, and discovery.

– Blue Finch Destination Guide entry

That Landing Point sits to the south-east of the region, located on a high terrace at the mouth of a dramatic gorge cutting through the region. The terrace is home to a parade of shops, with a welcoming information board to one end of them, together with teleport links to key locations across the region, together with the bicycle rezzer for those wishing to ride around the setting.

The teleport board obviously offers the quickest means of getting somewhere from the landing landing, but I like the fact that boards aren’t scattered around at every point of interest. While the latter can be handy, they also can encourage simply hopping form point-to-point without necessarily visiting / exploring. Here, whilst it is possible to reach one major part of the region with a teleport hop, you’re then on Shanks’s pony (aka walking) or one of the tours to get around, thus letting the region naturally unfold before you.

On the subject of the tours, the boat ride through the waters sits at the feet of stone steps leading down the side of the gorge from the shops and alongside the bridge reaching across it to the outdoor events area. To start the boat tour, sit in the boat (and accept the oars if you want), select whether you want to row or just sit (pause), then click the boat to get things started.

The ride will take around 7 minutes before returning you to the wharf on the opposite side of the gorge to where you boarded it, taking you a little way around the coast and then inland to appreciate the detailing evident along the water’s edge as you glide along the waterways.

The owl bear is reached by following the signs along one of the paths leading away from the landing point – signage through the region is very well done, so the major point of interest things are hard to miss as you wander.

This tour lasts some 5 minutes and carries you past places like the swimming pony, the outdoor library, one of the lighthouses and one of the entrances to the cave dining area, before depositing you (perhaps a little abruptly) in a little meadow alongside a covered café-bridge spanning the gorge and giving excellent views of the waters below.

However, it is when exploring on foot that the magic of Blue Finch really takes hold. From waterside places to sit hidden romantic gardens hidden within the tall wall and stonework of ancient ruins, the region is literally brim-full of places to delight, even to the point of corners-within-corners waiting their opportunity to surprise.

As noted, individual locations have been designed so they can be appreciated in their own right and with a sense of privacy, but the whole of the landscape to the north and west flows beautifully along paths, trails, steps and waterways to blend as a whole.

Colour – through plants, flowers, blossoms and hanging fronds of luminescence – bring a vivid life to the region, aided by the presence of waterfowl, birds, foxes and deer. Along the coastline to the north and west lay a quiet sub-tropical sandy beach neatly separated from a more rugged section of coastline with piers, raised decks extending over the water and a boardwalk running out over the rocky shallows to where a café sits as the land turns to the west.

Here the coastal path passes over the waters flowing out from the region’s interior via an old railway carriage body pressed into service as a bridge. This north-western area of the sitting has a feeling of decrepit age to is, like a seaside resort well past its prime.

When I first wandered it, I felt it to be a little jarring compared to what lay behind it, although it has admittedly since grown on me – although I couldn’t help be feel the off-region surround perhaps draws up a little too close the region’s edge, and the north side of the setting in particular might benefit from more in the way of open water to help the ebb and flow of the surf to look more natural.

But it is those little corners and corners-within-corners that caused, for me, the greatest delight; the geodesic domes tucked under the shade of trees; the way the quiet settings can be located practically side-by-side and yet feel as if they exist each in their own world. Even the mini-golf it tucked away above the event space is surround by trees, such that it only takes a walk of a few metres and it becomes hidden from view.

Back during my 2024 visit, I noted that those seeking an immersive location bringing together assorted themes and ideas and which offers huge scope for photography, relaxing, having a little fun or romantic interlude would appreciate Blue Finch. This, despite my little niggles, continues to holds true in July 2026.

Slurl Details

Blue Finch (Pottery Hollow, rated Moderate)

A Return to The Rusty Nail in Second Life

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Inara Pey

*The Rusty Nail, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

Busta (Busta Blakewell, and formerly known as BadboyHi) has over a decade or so, been responsible for many region designs in Second Life. He’s built locations both for himself and the enjoyment of others, and he has designed settings for others, some of which have been opened to the public as well.

I’ve been covering Busta’s work since 2016, including The Rusty Nail, a setting mixing public spaces with private rentals and which I first covered when it was located within a Homestead region (see: The Rusty Nail in Second Life). It has since moved to a Full region utilising the additional Land Capacity bonus, and that was reason enough for me to pop have and have a look.

The first thing to note about this iteration of The Rusty Nail is that while it does offer extensive parcels for rent, they are placed around the outside of the region so that each enjoys a waterfront view. This allows the interior of the setting to be left open to public spaces, the majority of which are separated from the rentals by the looping flow of a body of water cutting into the landscape, although a neck of land does extend out from the south-east corner to connect with the central spaces, also forming a public area of its own.

This latter space, whilst abutting some of the rental properties, includes some foreshore seating locations and a kind of garden space within the remnants of some ruins complete with a meditative shrine and a climb up to the region’s highest point where a deck-straddling lookout / retreat can be found.

The remains of an old church sits at the foot of the climb up the hill, now propped up against its own potential collapse, together with more remnants of the older ruins. The ground here is extensively paved to form the neck reaching out to the centre spaces of the region, whilst a path meanders out to a southern corner of the setting to present a quiet retreat looking out over open waters.

The main bulk of the public spaces sit on a long paved terrace running south-to-north from where it joins to the rest of the setting, and broadly split into four areas.

The first of these is a centred around a pond from which a Kraken rises, with seating available for customers of the Solace Bar and Café. A single pier extends out into the waters, rowing boats moored alongside together with a deserted houseboat

Through the gates from the pond is the main bar and events space. The latter provides room for dancing together with seating to one side under a trellis and a small wild garden. The bar is fronted by the DJ stage, also under an extensive trellis, and is an inspired use of Cory Edo’s Yara Treehouse design, copies of which have been neatly kitbashed together, with one element sitting to one side as a little coffee house.

The final area is given to the main café and a wine bar, the terrace space before them carrying with it Parisian flavours together with a comfortable range of seating, with a further very cosy seating space to the rear of the café.

The detail packed into these spaces very much bring them to life, and it is worth spending time wandering around and through them to see all that is on offer. Outside of them to the east, the paving takes on the look of a waterfront walk, complete with places to sit out over the water, a horse stand for those wishing to rez a horse and take a ride and views out across the inland waters.

Beyond the terraces, the land broadens out into a continuing paved area edged by places to sit by the water and dominated by huge metal frame of a former glasshouse, now forming the nucleus of one of the many wildling gardens cultivated across the region. This area is also home to the region’s Land Point.

Those exploring the wider reached of this area and around the west side of the bar and café terraces will doubtless come across slabs of heavy rock arrange to form broad, shallow steps leading down to the water, where flat-topped boulders provide the means to cross to steps on the water’s far side, where smaller public spaces have been cosied-in between some of the rentals, providing further places to sit and pass the time.

Sitting under the perfect EEP sky – do be sure to use the Shared Environment when visiting – The Rusty Nail is a gorgeous, extremely photogenic region, folding into itself as it does hints of the East, a sense of swamplands without their more claustrophobic elements (or alligators / crocodiles!) and smatterings of cosmopolitan necessities, all wrapped in an idyllic atmosphere and given a sense of tranquil age by the ruins.

As with the rentals in the original Rusty Nail, the houses offered here have been select to fit the environment, allowing them to blend into it rather than standing apart or appearing uneasily placed within the landscape. There is no rental office to clutter the place up – so anyone interested in renting one of the houses (there were at least a couple available when I dropped in), contact Busta in-world.

Should you require rezzing rights for photo props, these can be obtained by joining the local Group. As auto return is not set, please do pick-up your pieces afterwards!

Slurl Details and Website

The Rusty Nail (Solace, rated Moderate)
Rusty Nail website

The artistic beauty of Monet’s Pond, Frogmore in Second Life

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Inara Pey

*Frogmore: Monet’s Pond, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

I recently caught a new entry in the Destination Guide for Frogmore, the region and setting held by Dandelion Rabbit (or as she used to be known, Tolla Crisp) – something bound to get me reaching for my camera and notebook before doing the magical teleport hop.

Over the years, Dandelion has been responsible for a number of public regions in Second Life, some she has created herself, and others – as with the various Frogmore iterations – in collaboration with Dandy Warhlol Terry Fothrington), with most of them created under her Frogmore estate banner, and a fair few, past and present, covered within these pages.

A Full region leveraging the available Land Capacity Bonus, Frogmore has – at least during the time I had been covering it through to 2022 (it’s been a whole four years since I last dropped in!) – tended to take inspiration from the coastal regions of England’s county of Cornwall. However, for the summer 2026 version the inspiration shifts more toward France in terms of some of the architecture present, and takes the name Monet’s Pond in reflection of the use of colour throughout.

Which is not to say any of the dramatic beauty of the region has been lost, far from it; the rugged looks and the mix of both elevation and water continue to result in a place of visual and natural splendour.

Step into a dreamy summer at Frogmore’s newest chapter — Monet’s Pond. All the waters of the region have been freshly painted in the soft, shimmering hues of a Claude Monet masterpiece — hushed lilacs, misty greens, silvered blues, and warm golden reflections that dance gently in the sunlight.

– Frogmore’s Destination Guide entry

This is a place which genuinely feel much larger than a 256×256 sized region; just when you think you’ve managed to see all of it, the chances are you’ll find another corner awaiting exploration.

It is also a place where a degree of mystery and magic await discovery, and a sense of fantasy enters without ever feeling out of place. Indeed, the entire setting carries with it a feeling it is one step removed from the world in which we otherwise live, where the everyday happily resides with the not-so-ordinary.

Part of the reason the setting feels so big is that use of elevation mentioned above. Parts of the setting are set with high cliffs and escarpments rising to flat tops. These form an arc around the edge of one corner of the setting whilst points fingers inland the naturally intrude into the lowlands and serve to bot reveal and hide. The highest elevation of these uplands is taken up by the bulk of an almost-Norman-style castle and the houses of a somewhat medieval-looking town for which the castle may have once served as guardian.

Sitting between the two is a dramatic gorge, spanned by a bridge forming an excellent choke-point for any armies which may once have attempted to attack the castle in times past. The long finger of rock on which the village is set points its way north is one of the escarpment naturally splitting the land, descending through gentle tiers down to the lowlands and waters below.

Another promontory also extends northwards from the castle’s feet, pushing inland with steep slopes and walls of rock. Sheltered between the tall rms of rock and overlooked by the village, sits an inlet cutting deep into the landscape by way of the gorge spanned by the castle’s bridge.

With outlets passing under further bridges, the inlet gives way to wetlands and lowlands this inlet while the foreshores are beautifully set out (including possibly the best integrations of Marcthur Goosson’s Ma Maison farmhouse into a landscape I’ve seen). All of this, with its richness of colour, wildlife and coves and islands, remains largely hidden from the lands to the west.

The lowlands across the region offer a mix of architectural styles, with cottages and small hold farms rubbing shoulders with larger townhouse-style homes. A second, very different castle raises its bulk to the north whilst free-flowing waters and wetlands quite naturally break the land up, further helping to give the setting a sense of size and space, whilst bridges help to keep feet dry as one explores.

The bridges, paths and trails running through the landscape provide the means to explore it fully and in detail and discover all that lies within. Whilst some of the buildings to the west are understandably unfurnished, this is more than made up for the manner in which has been set out as a mix of farmlands and wetlands rich in flora and wildfowl.

In terms of the mystery and hints of magic can be found along the paths and steps of the village. It is here as well, that colour again brings depth and atmosphere to a wander between the shops, cottages and houses – all of which are decorated and furnished, adding to the delight of visiting this portion of the region.

One of the things essential for a visit is to use the region’s Shared Environment. This will really bring out the beauty of Monet’s Pond, including the reflections of colour across the waters when seen from the right angles which work with the hues of the trees and flowers and hanging lights to give the setting a feeling of being something Monet, had he been so minded, might have painted.

To be perfectly honest, to describe Monet’s Pond is an exercise in futility; it simply has to be seen for itself. There is so much to be discovered, and so much attention to detail, the use of a colour palette with flowers, water reflections, blossoming tree and amongst the houses and shops of the village befitting of a Monet painting, words simply made the place feel dry.

What I will say is, I’ve followed Dandy’s work in landscaping down the years – ever since he worked with Belle des Champs (Bridget Genna) to produce the BarDeco series of locations (2016 through 2021) – and watching his landscaping skill mature and refine to produce truly memorable locations for land-holder and visitors alike has been a genuine pleasure. With the latest iteration of Frogmore he has achieve something truly special.

SLurl Details

Monet’s Pond (Frogmore, rated General)

A Swaying Shelf and a Greenwitch Café in Second Life

Posted on July 20, 2026September 14, 2026 by Inara Pey

*The Swaying Shelf, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

In my previous Exploring Second life piece, I wrote about Storywood Sanctuary, noting that it is one of two settings located in the Mainland continent of Heterocera designed by the Wild Abundance team. The other of these locations is The Swaying Shelf, sitting a little further to the east along Mock Heather Road, and which I also recently visited.

Around twice the size of Storywood Sanctuary, The Swaying Shelf contains themes and motifs in keeping with the former whilst offering its own character and nature.

There is no set Landing Point, but a pair of tree houses (the excellent Yara Treehouse by Cory Edo) sit close to the roadside, one of which acts as the entrance from the road – just climb and descend the steps. As this delivers visitors from the road to the setting’s footpath, I’ve arbitrarily used a SLurl in this piece which will drop you more-or-less onto the same spot on the footpath.

The path forms a loop around an arbour on its opposite side to the tree houses. Draped in vines and with grass for a carpet, the arbour sits as a cosy reading room complete with rocking chair and blazing fire in the hearth.

Pointing eastwards, the path, lit by lanterns – the setting had its own day / night cycle – makes its way past another tree house, this one atop a tree apparently growing out of a storybook, before weaving its way to where a gate provides access to the Greenwitch Cafe.

Whilst larger than Storybook Sanctuary, The Swaying Shelf is more open in nature, just the one path winding through it and most of the land is give over to trees and flowers. Which is not to say it is not without its own little details worth looking out for; in this regard, do be careful where you tread when you’re approaching the gate to the café next door.

Sitting in a parcel of just 1024 sq metres, The Greenwitch Café sits just over the region boundary from The Swaying Shelf.

As a part of The Nature Collective, the café has been designed by the extended Cerulean family under the Le’eaf & Co banner. This talented group are responsible for many such builds beautifying corners of Mainland, a good few of which I’ve covered in these pages, as well as operating the Cerulean estate, which I’ve also written about several times.

*The Greenwitch Café, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

Savour garden-to-table meals in a queer-owned, cannabis-friendly café nestled in the Lake District, surrounded by forest and blooms. Everything is grown on-site — from herbs to healing plants. A cosy, magical LGBTQIA+ friendly retreat.

– Greenwitch Café About Land description

Apparently utilising a converted shipping container as its structure, the café offers outdoor seating on the wooden deck placed before it and on its roof, there latter reached by a set of outside stairs to one side of the deck. Additional seating for visitors sits just to the right of the entrance gates in the form of a small pergola neatly and cosily set with furnishings and décor.

As the About Land description and signs on and around the café make clear, this is a place to enjoy a drink or two and nibble on something sweet or savoury – or which may well give a person a certain buzz, shall we say.

The Landing Point sits between between the sweep of Mock Heather Road and the gabled gates providing access to the café’s grounds, it being only a few steps from the gates to either the café or the pergola.

Bees and Silkies – Chinese silk chickens – are cared for here, and it’s easy to assume the honey produced by the former finds its way into and onto some of café’s offerings. Eggs from Silkies are known to be especially rich in favour, so its likely some of these also find their way into the cafés kitchen – although Silkies are often kept as much for pets / exhibition birds as they are for their eggs. Towards the back of the land is a neat little area with pagan / occult-ish vibes – and with a neat little twist on the idea of Tarot cards.

Surrounded by tall fir trees and wild grasses, the café also shares its space with the local squirrels – do be careful where you tread on the deck! – whilst a barn owl keeps an eye on all that goes on. I admit to finding the parcel’s Shared Environment leaning a little towards the dim side and so played around with the Sun position to brighten things a little (rather than playing with the HDR slider), but that’s purely a personal thing.

Taken individually or as a joint visit (no pun intended given the nature of the café!), The Swaying Shelf and The Greenwitch Café again demonstrate how small corners of the Mainland can be turned into welcoming little spaces for people to freely enjoy.

Slurl Details

The Swaying Shelf (Itame, rated Moderate)
The Greenwitch Café (Notata, rated Moderate)
Coffeehouses and Cafés

Wandering a Storywood Sanctuary in Second Life

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Inara Pey

*Storywood Sanctuary, July 2026 – click any image for full size*

I was back on my jaunt around the Mainland once more, seeking cafés and coffee houses that offer neat little corners of the Second Life experience. Once again I found myself I Heterocera, but this time south of the atoll compared to my previous visit to take in Hi Cafe.

My destination this time was Storywood Sanctuary, the work of the Wild Abundance team founded and led by Aphiris Moris (Aphiris Mercury).

Welcome to Storywood Sanctuary! Here, you’re invited to wander through lush landscapes, dream under the shade of ancient trees, and savour a freshly brewed coffee. Enjoy the magic of this haven, where every corner holds a story.

– Storywood Sanctuary greeting

Located just to the north of Mock Heather Road and not far from the lake on the south side of that road, Storywood Sanctuary is one of two locations designed by the Wild Abundance team in close proximity to one another (I’ll be covering the other in an upcoming piece).

Covering a little over 6,000 square metres, the spot is – as the name suggests – literary themed, focusing on stories and books, and is LGBTQIA+ friendly.

The Landing Point sits within on a trellis-covered deck bearing the location’s name and where books and a table covered in the pages of a manuscript further hint at the setting’s theme. Just mind you don’t wake up Francine as she sleeps close by!

From here, a path winds through the setting, meandering past little motifs and details related to books or hinting at stories. These are nicely done with, for example, The World of Christopher Robin leaning against a tree stump on which a bear is asleep (possibly from enjoying too much honey?); while just off the path, a large copy of Mary Poppins has fallen open to allow three carousel horses to fly out, recalling a scene from the book (and perhaps more vividly, Disney’s take on the book). Feel free to sit on any of the horse for a photo.

In addition, on the approach to the coffee shop it is possible to see the stone figure of a little girl who might be taken as a certain Alice. Not too far from her and mottled by sunlight, is a glass coffin beneath a tree. Roses grow under its cover, but the reference to a certain story by the Brothers Grimm is clear.

Along with these motifs is much else to please the eye. There’s the friendly garden troll under the bridge, the flowering books along one bank of the stream and vying for attention with the butterflies made from printed pages. There are animals and birds to be found throughout; there’s tree trunk offering the chance to take and share stories, and more.

Obviously, there are places to sit throughout, from the library / reading room alongside the Landing Point deck all the way through to the coffee shop (and beyond), with some of quite interesting designs (three particularly in keeping with the book theme).

Not all the places to sit are on the ground or necessarily obvious (again, one of the very booked themed places might not appear to be so but for the brazier with its little fire sitting in front of it) – so taking a good look around as you follow path around the setting is recommended 🙂 .

Beyond the coffee shop is a further garden space available for wandering, a rutting track forming a loop around it while flowers of a more exotic nature grow and a forest carousel turns in time to fairground music, whilst the laughter of children (or wood nymphs?) might be heard by those with local sounds enabled.

Cosy and charming, Storywood Sanctuary is a place that does exactly what its name implies: takes you into a garden of stories and present a setting in which sanctuary from the pressures of daily life might be found.

Slurl Details

Storywood Sanctuary (Sabra, rated Moderate)

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Savour garden-to-table meals in a queer-owned, cannabis-friendly café nestled in the Lake District, surrounded by forest and blooms. Everything is grown on-site — from herbs to healing plants. A cosy, magical LGBTQIA+ friendly retreat.

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Welcome to Storywood Sanctuary! Here, you’re invited to wander through lush landscapes, dream under the shade of ancient trees, and savour a freshly brewed coffee. Enjoy the magic of this haven, where every corner holds a story.

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