Set before the first First World War, this book tells the story of Tom, Laura, Hugh, and Margaret, whose home is the great house, Charlecote, set in the Warwickshire countryside. Despite their privileged background, the children are not always happy - their parents are stern and Tom is sent away to boarding school. But when the holidays come, everything changes and the four of them have many adventures together in the vast grounds of the house. * Carnegie Medal-winning author of "Tom's Midnight Garden" - Philippa Pearce was awarded the OBE for services to children's literature. * Brian Fairfax-Lucy grew up at Charlecote Park, which is now a National Trust property and is open to visitors. * Originally published in 1968, this is a welcome reissue of a book which 'movingly shows the close bond between the "upper class" children and servants in a great house, when both feared and suffered the hand of authority.' (20th Century Children's Writers)