Toad Hall (The Wind in the Willows) facts for kids

Toad Hall is the fictional home of Mr. Toad. He is a fun character from the 1908 novel ‘The Wind in the Willows’ by Kenneth Grahame.

What is Toad Hall Like?

Kenneth Grahame, the author, describes Toad Hall as a beautiful old house. It is made of red brick and has lovely green lawns. These lawns stretch all the way down to the water's edge.

Mr. Toad loves his home very much. He often boasts that it is the "Finest house on the whole river." He even says it's the best house anywhere!

Inside, Toad Hall has a very old and grand banqueting hall. This is a large room used for big parties and feasts. There is also a big boat-house, perfect for Mr. Toad's many boats. Next to the house, you can find stables where horses would be kept.

A secret old passage is also part of Toad Hall. Mr. Toad didn't even know about it! Mr. Badger learned about it from Toad's father. This hidden tunnel starts at the river bank. It leads right into the middle of Toad Hall. This passage becomes very important later in the story. It helps the characters at a critical moment in the book's ending.

Where Did the Idea Come From?

Many real-life houses might have given Kenneth Grahame ideas for Toad Hall. Here are some of the places that people think inspired the famous fictional home:

• Fawley Court in Buckinghamshire;
• Fowey Hall Hotel in Cornwall;
• Foxwarren Park in Surrey;
• Hardwick House in Oxfordshire;
• Mapledurham House also in Oxfordshire.

Pictures of Possible Toad Halls

• 

  Fawley Court, Buckinghamshire

• 

  Fowey Hall Hotel, Cornwall

• 

  Foxwarren Park, Surrey

• 

  Hardwick House, Oxfordshire

• 

  Mapledurham House, Oxfordshire