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Where is The Wind in the Willows set?
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The Wind in the Willows is set in a fictional countryside, but it is likely inspired by the English countryside. The story moves from one location to another, including The River, Mole's Burrow, and The Wild Wood. The setting may be heavily inspired by Grahame's home Cookham Dean, a village in Berkshire, England.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is set in a fictional countryside, but it appears to be inspired by the English countryside Grahame would have seen in his time. Many believe it was inspired by the surroundings Grahame grew up in. The setting is rural and beautiful, featuring several locations like the Mole's Burrow, The River, and The Wild Wood.
The Mole's Burrow is arguably one of the most important settings of the story. In the burrow, Mole, generous and loyal to his friends, lives and enjoys the quiet safety of the underground. When Mole leaves his home in the first chapter, he steps out of his comfort zone and into the outside world, showing the reader how important exploring the world around you can be.
The River is the home of Toad, Rat, and Otter. Many of the novel's adventures occur along the river and it is...
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home to Toad's private creek. Toad lives in a lavish estate called Toad Hall, and though he is somewhat snooty and dismissive, he is still loyal to his friends and really cares about them. Rat also tends to stay close to the water and even invites Mole to move there.
The Wild Wood is the dark and foreboding place in the story, home to Badger. The Wild Wood has a notorious reputation. Mole gets lost in the woods during a blizzard, and when Rat comes to find him, he loses his way as well. Luckily, Badger, friendly and generous, welcomes Rat and Mole into the warmth and safety of his home.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame was first published in 1908. It does not have an explicit, real location but rather is set in an idealized world populated with talking animals. The basis of this world is the southeastern part of England or "home counties," with the flora, fauna, and terrain all being recognizable as belonging to this area. It is a pastoral environment of farms, villages, forests, and rivers.
Grahame wrote this novel after he retired from his job at the Bank of England. Although Grahame was originally Scottish, after his mother's death, he was raised by his grandmother in Cookham in Berkshire, England and he returned to that area after retirement, enjoying "messing about in boats" and observing local flora and fauna. The River Thames very much influenced the river of the novel and the setting is mainly derived from the area.
In terms of period, the setting is contemporary with the date of publication, as evidenced by the way that cars are presented as a dangerous novelty.