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Black Beauty is one of the world’s best-loved animal classics and, in the words of the author, was written “to induce kindness, sympathy and an understanding treatment of horses”. In this spirit, she would have appreciated Redwings Horse Sanctuary (open on selected dates) in Hapton, Norfolk, where 350 rolling acres host infirm and elderly horses.
Born in Great Yarmouth (Church Plain, exterior only), Anna’s love affair with horses began in childhood at her relatives' farm near Norwich. Dudwick Park in Buxton (privately owned) was reputedly the model for Birtwick Park where Black Beauty spent his happy early working years. A long, tree-lined avenue winds through the park (which sometimes hosts horses from the sanctuary) just as it does in the book and there is a public right of way used by riders. Black Beauty himself was inspired by Anna’s brother’s black horse, Bessie. The field where Bessie lived is now Sewell Park in Norwich and the barn is now the Sewell Barn Theatre.
The book was written in the White House (now Anna Sewell House, privately owned) at 125 Spixworth Road in Old Catton, Norwich. From her upstairs room, the bedridden Anna could gaze out over the undulating Deer Park (you can take a footpath through the park) and people it with the horses of her imagination. In nearby Lamas, Anna’s headstone is displayed on the roadside wall of the former Quaker meeting house.
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