The Woman Who Fell in Love with an Island, Walthamstow Wetlands

The William Morris Gallery has partnered with wetland nature reserve Walthamstow Wetlands to host an ongoing celebration of Swedish-Finnish author, novelist and illustrator Tove Jansson, and her world-famous creations, the Moomins. The adorable Scandinavian icons have descended on the London Wildlife Trust site, where they can be spotted roaming along the pathways or hiding in the bushes until 23 September.

An enchanting day out for all the family, the outdoor trail is a chance to spot the familiar faces of the hippo-like cartoon characters and their friends, while soaking up the tranquil atmosphere of Europe’s largest urban nature reserve.

The other part of the exhibition takes place indoors in the beautiful Victorian Engine House, where a space is dedicated to Tove Jansson herself. It offers a rare insight into the Moomin creator's years living on a remote island in the gulf of Finland (hence the exhibition’s name: The Woman Who Fell In Love With An Island) and includes previously unseen and unheard artworks recreating the magic of the faraway island.

Further artworks and sources of inspiration can be found in the shop on the lower ground - and don’t forget to ask for a Moomin coffee at the engine’s house cafeteria!

More is being added to the outdoor trail over the course of the summer, and a follow-up Tove Jansson exhibition is planned at the William Morris Gallery in 2022. In the meantime, if the wetlands trail leaves you with Moomin mania, head to the official Moomin shop in Covent Garden.

The Woman Who Fell in Love with an Island is running at Walthamstow Wetlands, starting at Marine Engine House, 2 Forest Road, London N17 9NH.