Film & book locations

[veldege9240]

I presume that the “Diana” book’s locations (i.e. “Whinmouth”, “Nun’s Island”, etc) are not ‘real’ locations (not found in Google Maps anyway). But given the references to it in “Diana”, Delderfield may have been inspired by the setting of the “Lorna Doone” novel? Then “Exmoor National Park”, in northern Somerset-Devon, may have been his “Sennacharib”:
“There is a part of Exmoor which will forever be known as Lorna Doone Country. At the heart of it is 'Doone Valley' also known as Badgworthy Valley. It's a magical, mystical place and it makes for a lovely walk.”
www.bbc.co.uk/devon/outdoors/walks/lorna_doone.shtml

[Ian Menkins]

Yes, I've got that impression too. Sennacharib was probably 'Lorna Doone' country i.e. Somerset. I've often wondered if Whinmouth may have been based on Weymouth in Dorset and if Burgh Island off Devon was his inspiration for "Nun's Island". I suspect this island may have been scouted for use in Diana but deemed unsuitable due to the highly visible development.

[equestriancyclist]

About 1982 I drove around the Bristol Channel area of northern Devon looking for the locations of the novel. I still think that area is the "best bet" for the story. As memory serves, "near the Bristol Channel" is what Delderfield said in the novel. I guess I am going to have to go and check.