Where to celebrate Roald Dahl Day

Schools and readers the world over come together to celebrate the life of children’s author, Roald Dahl on 13^th September, every year and this year’s event marks what would have been his 105^th birthday. That makes him even older than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Grandpa Joe who was only 96 and a half!

Whether you’re looking to introduce the family to some of your favourite childhood stories or you want to hold an event to commemorate the international day, here are some of the places across the UK you can visit that are connected to Roald Dahl and his stories.

Cardiff

Roald Dahl was born in Cardiff, Wales on 13^th September 1916 and in the city, you’ll find a variety of places that are linked to the author. In Llandaff, Cardiff, which is where he grew up, you’ll find a Blue Plaque marking the former sweet shop of Mrs Pratchett, where Dahl and his friends would frequent as children. The shop is mentioned in his memoir, Boy.

There is also a blue plaque on his former home, which is now known as Ty Gwyn. At the time it was Villa Marie and the family’s next home, now Howell’s Schools.

Other locations include the Norwegian Church where the Dahl family would worship and Roald Dahl Plass, a public space in the Cardiff Bay area. The space is where you’ll find the Senedd and you might even spot a few character themed artworks and benches.

Tenby

Before we leave Wales, you can find another blue plaque in Tenby in the county of Pembrokeshire. The Dahl family would spend holidays in Tenby while Roald was a child and their lodgings, which was known as the Cabin, are part of a Grade II listed building that overlooks Tenby Harbour.

Somerset

Though born in Wales, Dahl attended boarding school in Weston-super-Mare, he also features tales from his time at school in Boy.
Following his graduation and prior to joining the RAF, Dahl had a job selling kerosene in various Somerset villages including the former mining town of Midsomer Norton on the outskirts of Bath.

Buckinghamshire

The latter half of Dahl’s life was spent in Buckinghamshire, which is where he wrote Matilda, Fantastic Mr Fox and Danny the Champion of the World. He and his wife lived at Whitefield Cottage in Great Missenden, which is now known as Gipsy House and is privately owned, however, the owners do sometimes team up with the Roald Dahl Centre, which is also located in the town.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is a museum that is located in the village and was officially opened in 2005. It lives within an old coaching inn and the refurbishment was paid for by the Dahl family. He is also buried in the county at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Great Missenden.

These are just some of the places you can discover more about Roald Dahl and his creations. What are your favourite Roald Dahl stories? Let us know.

While celebrating this beloved author, it is important to look at his criticisms – of course, an author is not their works and loving Matilda’s fight against evil teachers or Mr Fox’s continuing schemes to outwit Boggis Bunce and Bean, doesn’t mean that the reader necessarily shares their views. The books were a product of their time and as attitudes change so do our perceptions. You can find out more about the estate’s statements on these criticisms on their official website.