[Studio Ghibli] From Up on Poppy Hill – Norfolk Region, England

“When Marnie Was There,” a Studio Ghibli work released in 2014. While the film is set in Hokkaido, the setting of the original novel is a small port town in Norfolk, in the east of England. In this article, we will introduce in detail the charm of the Norfolk region beloved by the original author Joan G. Robinson and the real places that became models for the story.

The Relationship Between the Original Novel “When Marnie Was There” and Norfolk

Joan G. Robinson and Norfolk

“When Marnie Was There” is a children’s literature work published in 1967 by British author Joan G. Robinson. The original story is set in a fictional village called “Little Overton” in Norfolk, located in eastern England. However, this village has a clear real-life model.

Author Joan G. Robinson frequently visited a small port town called “Burnham Overy” in Norfolk, Norfolk, with her family as a summer retreat. Her experiences in this place and an impressive sight she witnessed one day became the inspiration for the birth of the story.

The Catalyst for the Story: “The Girl with the Blue Window”

While Robinson was strolling along the inlet of Burnham Overy, she spotted a girl having her blonde hair combed at the blue window frame of an old mansion. This fantastical and mysterious sight stirred the writer’s imagination, and the story “When Marnie Was There” was born.

The image of the girl reflected in the window was only a moment, but the scene was deeply etched in Robinson’s heart, and eventually crystallized into the story of the protagonist Anna and the mysterious girl Marnie.

Geography and Characteristics of Norfolk

Location and Natural Environment of Norfolk

Norfolk is a county located in eastern England, facing “The Wash,” England’s largest inlet. It is characterized by a coastline facing the North Sea and vast wetlands (marshlands).

The terrain is flat, creating an impressive landscape of endless sky and horizon. This unique scenery perfectly matches the lonely and mysterious atmosphere that appears in the story.

Climate and Industry of Norfolk

Norfolk is known as a relatively warm region in England with little rainfall. Agriculture is flourishing, with grain cultivation and horticulture being the main industries.

In summer, lavender fields bloom across the landscape, creating a beautiful scene like a purple carpet. This summer lavender field scenery shares common elements with Furano in Hokkaido, the setting of the film version, and may be one of the reasons why Ghibli chose Hokkaido as the stage.

The tourism industry is also an important economic sector, with many tourists visiting for its historic buildings, beautiful coastlines, and status as the setting of literary works.

Burnham Overy: The Real-Life Model Location of the Story

Access to Burnham Overy

Burnham Overy is a small village located along the northern coast of Norfolk. Access from London is as follows:

1. About one and a half hours by train from London King’s Cross Station to King’s Lynn Station
2. About one hour by bus from King’s Lynn Station to Burnham Overy

Despite having a population of only a few hundred people, this quiet village is never without visitors throughout the year due to its beautiful natural scenery and status as the setting of a literary work.

Characteristics and Attractions of the Village

Burnham Overy is a typical English countryside town with agriculture and tourism as its main industries. The village has the following characteristics:

• Inlet and mudflats: A beautiful inlet that changes its appearance with the rise and fall of tides
• Rowing boats: Small boats like those in the story are still in use
• Traditional stone houses: Buildings with a distinctly English character
• Vast wetlands: A natural environment ideal for birdwatching and hiking

The entire village flows with a leisurely pace of time, truly the world of the story itself.

The Building That Became the Model for “Marsh House”

The Real Marsh House

“Marsh House,” which is central to the story, is depicted as the mysterious old mansion where Marnie lives. The building that became the model for this actually existed along the inlet of Burnham Overy.

This mansion, characterized by its blue window frames, appeared fantastical when high tide surrounded it with water, making it look like an isolated island. The image of the “blonde-haired girl having her hair combed” that Robinson witnessed is said to have been at the window of this mansion.

Current Situation

Unfortunately, the original building that served as the model has been demolished, and the site has been developed into a residential area. However, the scenery and atmosphere of the surrounding inlet remain as they were, and one can still feel the world of the story.

By asking at the village tourist information office or local people, you may be able to learn the location where the mansion once stood. Strolling along the inlet and reflecting on the setting of the story is also a wonderful experience.

Windmills and Nearby Landmarks

Windmills in Norfolk

The “windmill cottage” that appears in the story is also modeled after real windmills in Norfolk. Norfolk has many historic windmills remaining, which were once used for grain milling and drainage.

Around Burnham Overy, there are still functioning windmills and preserved historic windmills. Some allow interior tours where you can learn about how windmills work and Norfolk’s history.

Other Attractions

Burnham Overy Staithe
A sandbar near the mouth of the inlet where sandy beaches expand at low tide and are submerged in the sea at high tide. It is also known as a famous spot for birdwatching.

St. Clement Church
A historic church in the village of Burnham Overy. A beautiful stone building constructed in the 13th century.

Norfolk Coast Path
A long-distance footpath along the coast. You can enjoy the beautiful coastline including Burnham Overy.

Comparison with the Film Version: Why the Setting Was Changed to Hokkaido

Studio Ghibli’s Adaptation

The 2014 film adaptation of “When Marnie Was There” directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi moved the story’s setting to Hokkaido in contemporary Japan. This change is thought to have several reasons.

Similarity of Landscapes

The Kushiro Wetlands area of Hokkaido and the eastern Hokkaido region have surprisingly similar landscapes to Norfolk’s wetlands.

• Vast wetlands and flat terrain
• Lavender fields blooming in summer (Furano)
• Scenery of inlets and mudflats
• Sky and horizons stretching endlessly

These commonalities made it possible to realize a stage setting more familiar to Japanese audiences while preserving the atmosphere of the original work.

Expression of Universal Themes

Producer Hayao Miyazaki had long wanted to animate “When Marnie Was There,” but at the same time felt it was a “difficult work.” By moving the setting to Japan, the universal theme of a lonely girl’s emotional growth could be expressed more contemporaneously and appeal more directly to Japanese audiences.

Practical Information for Visiting the Norfolk Region

Best Time to Visit

Summer (June to August)
The most popular period. Lavender blooms and the weather is stable. However, there are also more tourists.

Spring (April to May)
The optimal time for birdwatching. Migratory birds arrive and nature becomes lively.

Autumn (September to October)
Fewer tourists, allowing for quiet immersion in the world of the story. The inlet at dusk is particularly beautiful during this season.

Accommodations

There are the following types of accommodations in the Burnham Overy area:

• Pub with accommodations: Guest rooms attached to traditional English pubs
• B&B (Bed and Breakfast): Enjoy a homely atmosphere with local families
• Cottage rental: Rent a standalone house with self-catering facilities
• Hotels in King’s Lynn: Stay in a larger town and visit as a day trip

What to Bring and Precautions

• Waterproof shoes: Essential for walking through wetlands
• Warm clothing: Sea winds are strong, and it can be chilly even in summer
• Binoculars: If you want to enjoy birdwatching
• Tidal tables: The appearance of the inlet changes significantly with the rise and fall of tides
• Car rental: Public transportation is limited, so a car is convenient

Literary Heritage of Norfolk

Connections with Other Literary Works

Norfolk has been the setting for many literary works beyond “When Marnie Was There.”

• Mystery novels by P.D. James
• Works by Ian McEwan
• Various children’s literature works

The unique atmosphere and scenery of this region have inspired many writers.

As a Hub for Literary Tourism

In recent years, Norfolk has become an important hub for “literary tourism.” Local tourism authorities are also putting effort into tours and information about literary work locations.

In the village of Burnham Overy, information panels and guides related to “When Marnie Was There” have been installed to welcome fans from around the world.

The Appeal of Visiting After Reading the Original Novel

A Deeper Understanding of the Story

It is highly recommended to read the original novel before visiting Norfolk. The Japanese translation “When Marnie Was There” published by Iwanami Shonen Bunko is known as a renowned translation that faithfully conveys the atmosphere of the original work.

When you visit the actual locations after reading the story, the inlet where Anna and Marnie spent their time, the waterways they crossed in a rowing boat, and the view from the windows of Marsh House can be imagined more vividly.

Enjoying the Differences from the Film Version

Read the original, visit the actual setting, and watch the Ghibli film version. By experiencing all three, you can deeply understand how one story is interpreted and expressed in different cultures and historical contexts.

The British class society and post-war atmosphere of the original, the image of a lonely girl in contemporary Japan in the film version. Each has its own charm while depicting the universal theme of “a girl who closed her heart growing through friendship.”

Tourist Attractions Around Norfolk

Norwich

Norwich, the county town of Norfolk, is a beautiful city with remnants of the Middle Ages.

• Norwich Cathedral: A magnificent Norman-style cathedral
• Norwich Castle: Now open as a museum
• Elm Hill: A cobblestone street with a preserved medieval townscape

Wells-next-the-Sea

A port town about 15 minutes by car from Burnham Overy. It has a beautiful coastline lined with colorful beach houses.

Holkham Hall

A magnificent country house built in the 18th century. It has vast grounds and beautiful gardens and has been used as a filming location for movies.

Blakeney Point

A nature reserve with a seal colony. You can observe wild seals up close on a boat tour.

Voices of People Who Have Actually Visited

As a Pilgrimage Site for Japanese Fans

Since the release of the Studio Ghibli film, more fans from Japan have been visiting Norfolk. The villagers of Burnham Overy in particular warmly welcome tourists who have traveled from far away Japan.

If you mention “I came to see the setting of Marnie” at a local pub, the villagers may share stories about the village’s history and Robinson.

The Moment of Experiencing the World of the Story

Many visitors say they feel they have “entered the world of the story” the moment they stand at the inlet.

• The sensation of walking through wetlands after the tide has receded
• The silence of the inlet at dusk
• The sound of windmills turning
• Sky stretching endlessly

These experiences are a privilege only for those who visit the actual place, not available through books or films.

Conclusion: What Norfolk Teaches Us

The original story setting of “When Marnie Was There,” Burnham Overy in Norfolk, England, holds meaning beyond being merely a stage for a story.

This quiet inlet village inspired author Joan G. Robinson, and from the image of a girl reflected in one window, a story loved around the world was born. And even now, that scenery continues to captivate all who visit.

The vast sky of Norfolk, the inlet that changes its appearance with the rise and fall of tides, ancient windmills, and the atmosphere of a village where time flows slowly. All of these are deeply connected to the themes of “loneliness,” “friendship,” and “growth” that the story carries.

Even though Studio Ghibli moved the stage to Hokkaido, the essence of the story was not lost, because Norfolk and Hokkaido share the universal element of “the smallness of humans in vast nature, and thereby the preciousness of emotional exchange,” which is why the story remained so powerful.

Visiting the original setting not only deepens understanding of the story, but also provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the relationships between nature and humans, memory and the present, and literature and reality. If you have the opportunity to visit England, please visit Burnham Overy, Norfolk, and experience the world of “When Marnie Was There.”

Standing by the quiet inlet and searching for the blue window, you may find your own “When Marnie Was There.”