Five on Finniston Farm

Last updated
Five On Finniston Farm
FamousFive18.jpg
Original 1960 first edition cover
Author Enid Blyton
Illustrator Eileen A. Soper
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Series The Famous Five series
Genre Mystery, Adventure novel
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Publication date
1960
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
Preceded by Five Get into a Fix  
Followed by Five Go to Demon's Rocks  

Five on Finniston Farm is the eighteenth novel in the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1960.

Plot

The Famous Five spend their summer holidays at Finniston Farm as paying guests. Upon arrival, they are greeted by the pleasant Mrs Philpot and her identical twins, Henry and Harriet. The twins seem to take an instant dislike to the Five. The Five also meet two fellow paying guests: an American Mr Henning and his son, Junior. Mr Henning plans to buy antique pieces from the farm and sell them in America. Mr and Mrs Philpot agree to sell their farm treasures as they need the money. However the family's hot-tempered Great Granddad feels the antiques should remain in England.

Mr Henning and Junior prove themselves a nuisance to the household by rudely ordering around Mrs Philpot. Sympathetic to Mrs Philpot, the Five offer to help with farm chores. When Junior demands breakfast in bed, George teaches him a lesson, making him agree to not slave Mrs Philpot thereafter. This wins the hearts of the Harries and they make friends with the Five.

Anne and George visit a nearby antique shop, owned by a Mr Finniston, who tells them about a secret passage from Finniston Castle to an old chapel and cellars where royal treasure might be hidden. The girls excitedly reveal the news to the boys and the twins. Together, they plan to hunt for the cellars on the farm. They come across the castle's kitchen midden and realize they are close to finding the treasure.

Junior spies on them and rushes to break the news to his father and his father's friend Mr Durleston, who decide to excavate the castle site, find the fortune and sell the goods in America. Mr and Mrs Philpot consent to the excavation, much to the dismay of the children. The children dig around the site, hoping to beat the men in finding the treasure. Initially they are unsuccessful but the twin's dog Snippet and their jackdaw Nosey lead them to a burrow, beneath which the secret passage stretches out.

The children discover the cellars and the treasure, only to become trapped inside the tunnel when the entrance caves in. They take another way and reach a trapdoor under the old chapel, which is now used as a storehouse. The farmhands Bill and Jamie hear their shouts and let them out. The children get back to the farm and tell their exciting story to the astonished adults. The next day, Mr Henning and Mr Durleston try to trick the Philpots into believing the site has no treasure and offer them a meagre amount. However, Mr Philpot, backed up by his granddad and Mr Finniston, declines the offer, making it clear they will excavate the site themselves and no longer want the Americans to stay. The adventure ends with Julian, Dick, Anne and George along with Timmy planning to stay at the farm to observe the excavation of the treasure.

Related Research Articles

Enid Blyton English childrens writer (1897–1968)

Enid Mary Blyton was an English children's writer, whose books have been worldwide bestsellers since the 1930s, selling more than 600 million copies. Her books are still enormously popular and have been translated into 90 languages. As of June 2018, Blyton held 4th place for the most translated author. She wrote on a wide range of topics, including education, natural history, fantasy, mystery, and biblical narratives, and is best remembered today for her Noddy, Famous Five, Secret Seven, The Five Find Outers, and Malory Towers books.

<i>The Famous Five</i> (novel series) Series of childrens novels written by Enid Blyton

The Famous Five is a series of children's adventure novels and short stories written by English author Enid Blyton. The first book, Five on a Treasure Island, was published in 1942. The novels feature the adventures of a group of young children – Julian, Dick, Anne, Georgina (George) and her dog Timmy.

Stourton Caundle Human settlement in England

Stourton Caundle is a village and civil parish in the county of Dorset in southwest England. It lies within the Blackmore Vale, about five miles east of Sherborne. In the 2011 census the parish had 181 households and a population of 439.

<i>Five Go Mad in Dorset</i> 1982 episode of The Comic Strip

Five Go Mad in Dorset was the first of three Five Go Mad specials from the long-running series of The Comic Strip Presents... television comedy films. It first aired on the launch night of Channel 4, and was written by Peter Richardson and Pete Richens, and directed by Bob Spiers.

<i>Five on a Treasure Island</i> 1942 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five on a Treasure Island is a popular children's book by Enid Blyton. It is the first book in The Famous Five series. The first edition of the book was illustrated by Eileen Soper.

<i>Five Go Adventuring Again</i> 1943 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five Go Adventuring Again is the second book in the Famous Five series by the British author, Enid Blyton.

<i>Five Run Away Together</i> 1944 novel by Enid Blyton

Five Run Away Together is the third book in the Famous Five series by the British author Enid Blyton.

<i>Five Go to Smugglers Top</i>

Five Go to Smuggler's Top is the fourth book in the Famous Five series by the British author Enid Blyton.

This is a list of 762 books by Enid Blyton (1897–1968), an English children's writer who also wrote under the pseudonym of Mary Pollock. She was one of the most successful children's storytellers of the 20th century.

<i>The Mistletoe Farm</i>

The Mistletoe Farm series consists of two books by children's author Enid Blyton.

<i>Five Have a Wonderful Time</i> 1952 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five Have A Wonderful Time is a popular children's book written by Enid Blyton. It is the eleventh novel in the Famous Five series of books.

<i>Five Go Off to Camp</i> 1948 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five Go Off To Camp is the seventh novel in the Famous Five children's adventure series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1948, and was followed by a number of reprints and translations. The story revolves around mysterious "spook trains" that the Five hear about on a lonely moor. The book has been adapted to two television series.

<i>Five on a Hike Together</i> 1951 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five on a Hike Together is the tenth novel in the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1951.

<i>Five on a Secret Trail</i> 1956 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five on a Secret Trail is the fifteenth novel in the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1956.

<i>Five Go to Billycock Hill</i> 1957 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five Go to Billycock Hill is the sixteenth novel in the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1957.

<i>Five Have a Mystery to Solve</i> 1962 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five Have a Mystery to Solve is the twentieth novel in the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1962. As the penultimate book in the Famous Five series, it follows the usual formula of finding secret passages, drinking ginger beer, hunting treasure, and foiling evil-doers.

<i>Five Go Down to the Sea</i> 1953 childrens novel by Enid Blyton

Five Go Down To The Sea is the twelfth novel in The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. It was first published in 1953.

The Young Adventurers is a collection of books written by Enid Blyton, also known as The Riddle Series.

The Famous Five is a British television series based on the children's book series of the same name by Enid Blyton. It was first broadcast on Tyne-Tees and Harlech Television (HTV) from 10 September 1995 onwards, and on CITV from 1 July 1996 onwards; there were two series between 1995 and 1997, produced by Zenith North and Tyne Tees in 26 twenty-five-minute episodes.

<i>Five on a Treasure Island</i> (film) 1957 British film

Five on a Treasure Island is an 8-part 1957 British film serial made by the Children's Film Foundation, based on the novel of the same name by Enid Blyton. The author herself helped cast the film. It was filmed in Dorset, UK, at Corfe Castle, in Corfe Castle Village, the Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole near Lulworth Cove which served as the Kirrin Island landing spot for the rowing boat in the film. The antique store from the beginning of the film was filmed at Oliver's in 5 West Street, Corfe Castle Village, Dorset, UK.