New Releases from Lilliput Lane for 2008

Particularly noteworthy is the first ever Lilliput Lane sculpture from the Isle of Man. The island has a history as stormy as its seas, but this has also resulted in the rich cultural heritage it boasts today. The island's architecture bears witness to its varied history. In fact, it's no surprise that William Wordsworth felt drawn to visit the shores of this island so frequently.

The sculptors of Lilliput Lane were truly spoiled for choice when it came to deciding which cottage would make the best first Isle of Man Cottage. Would it be Peel Castle, perched on Man's rocky west coast, whose round tower was originally part of a celtic monastery? Perhaps Ballamoar Castle would prove to be the inspiration, with its cool, slate gret stone and sweeping lawns. In the end it was the quaint proportions of The Manx Dovecote that won the day. Doubtless every Lilliput Lane Collector would agree that this delightful building situated on the North West Coast of The Isle of Man is a deserved winner of the accolade - Lilliput Lane's Isle of Man Number One.

This year's Club membership cottage is Nutkin Cottage . Any avid walker with a fondness for the beautiful fells around Grasmere will instantly recognise this beautiful cottage found on the edge of Deerbolts Wood. This is a typical picturesque Lakeland Cottage - picturesque meaning not just pretty to look at, but in architectural terms, it refers to the golden era of Victorian Cottage building, which chose the best local features and materials to create buildings that look as though they've always been there.

Another Lilliput Lane Collectors' Special for 2008 is Hazelnut Hall. Traditional lakeland architecture at its best! This was no humble dwelling, but the home of George Browne, a wealthy yeoman farmer. It was built in 1626 at a time when Troutbeck benefited from having an absentee Lord of the Manor, and so its social system was made up of prosperous 'statesmen' or Yeoman Farmers like the Breowne family, who lived in this house for some 400 years until 1943, when it passed to the National Trust.

Unlike its more aggressive cousin, the wasp, bees are a welcome visitor to summer gardens, hovering about the flowers and gathering nectar to take back to their hives. The bee kingdom is resposible for creating remarkable structures that have influenced full-size human architecture. The traditional bee-hive shape can be seen in many buildings, such as Little Beehives - a delightful circular cottage, found at Chilworth in Buckinghamshire. Perfectly recreated by Lilliput Lane, its stuccoed brick walls have purely decorative rustic tree trunks attached.

On the same 'bee' theme, few Lilliput Lane collectors will be able to resist Honeybees & Summer Breeze cottage from the picturesque village of Old Warden in Bedfordshire. Built in the late nineteenth century by the Shuttleworth family in a sympathetic style to blend in with the houses built by the estate's former owner, Lord Ongley, this was originally three estate cottages. This delightful sculpture is the 2008 Anniversary Cottage.

To explore our range of
Lilliput Lane collectibles further, please visit our website at http://www.theukgiftcompany.co.uk

From old historical favourites to fabulous limited editions, Member-exclusive pieces and illuminated cottages, the collection of Lilliput Lane at The UK Gift Company really does offer something for all tastes, occasions and budgets.