Spotlight On Middle-Earth : In The House Of Tom Bombadil
Here you can stay and have one unforgettable experience at a unique farmhouse in the forest as guest of Master Bombadil and his wife Goldberry the Daughter of the River. The Old Forest has for centuries been associated with spiders, wild wolves, bats, and very strange trees, all living in the lap of this impressive place Master Bombadill calls 'home'. In recent years however, The Old Forest has been rediscovered and has become associated with someone utterly different: Tom Bombadill and Lady Goldberry, who are more interested in preserving its way of life while living in their beautiful cottage, because, ever since he stepped foot on this land at the beginning of time, in this forest which stretches from the shores of the Brandywine River to the Barrow Downs, Tom has been bewitched by it.
On a fresh October day, in a heavy mist, we take to the main path into the forest which in contrast is hot and stuffy - it seems as if the trees are listening to us and even moving to block our progress. Eventually we find the path again, but it begins to turn in the wrong direction, toward the heart of the Forest. Leaving the path, we find that every time they head north, the trees seem to block our way, only permitting us to go southeast, deeper into the forest. As we reach the River Withywindle in the middle of the Old Forest, passing under an enormous, old willow tree, we suddenly feel tired, but keep moving forward, and it is at this point we start to hear some jolly singing.
Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! My darling!
Light goes the weather-wind and the feathered starling.
Down along under Hill, shining in the sunlight,
Waiting on the doorstep for the cold starlight,
There my pretty lady is, River-woman's daughter,
Slender as the willow-wand, clearer than the water.
Hop along, my little friends, up the Withywindle!
Tom's going on ahead candles for to kindle.
Down west sinks the Sun: soon you will be groping.
When the night-shadows fall, then the door will open
A plump man wearing a wide rimmed hat with a blue feather and big yellow boots invite us to join him and his bride, Goldberry, for dinner. And so we follow Tom along the river as he sings, until we come into a pleasant clearing, and then go up to a hill where Bombadil’s house stands.Tom loves the forest and this isn't a passion he wants to keep to himself, which is why visitors to his house can now experience what been close to nature really mean by staying as guests. Which means we can enjoy the beautifully restored home where Tom and Goldberry live and where time seem to stay still.
Indeed, Tom and Goldberry efforts have done wonders for raising the profile of this old and dark forest. The cottage, as it is known, boasts three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen, with vegetables growing in the garden, beams painted with delicate patterns, golden beeswax candles and a beautiful carved door with stained glass panels. The house is warm and cozy inside, the dinning room table is ready for dinner, fragrant herbs are hanging from the beams drying, and fresh water lilies are adorning the rooms. Guests,it seems, are thrilled by its olden-world feel. There is also plenty to do once we arrive - storytelling and songs and walks across the stunning gardens.
Activities on offer include traditional bread making with Lady Goldberry - which here is made with honey, something Tom Bombadil is said to be fond of. Breakfast is taken on the terrace overlooking a waterfall, with the kind hosts. The gardens are characterized by a variety of plants, mushrooms, insects, birds and large mammals including bears - sometimes crossing the back yard, and wolves can be heard howling at times in winter nights.
What a wonderful place! A visit is highly recommended . Tom Bombadil’s house is warm and comforting. The presence of Goldberry, Tom’s wife, may sometime remind us of the beauty of the Elves, but in a homier, less rarefied fashion. Who is Tom Bombadill we are not quite sure, if we ask his wife she will simply reply somewhat mysteriously that Tom is "Master of wood, water and hill." but he certainly know how to make people happy and welcome.
Article by Amorey for The Laurelin Archives Webteam
Music courtesy of the Lonely Mountain Band ( Landroval server )
Goldberry image by Hildebrandt