They are perhaps the most famous dinghies ever to set sail.

Now, the Swallow and the Amazon have found a safe haven in Norfolk.

The two boats, which featured in the 1974 film version of Arthur Ransome's classic children's book Swallows and Amazons, have a new home at a boatyard on the Broads.

Eastern Daily Press: Sophie Neville (left) as Titty in Swallows and Amazons - Picture: Supplied by Sophie NevilleSophie Neville (left) as Titty in Swallows and Amazons - Picture: Supplied by Sophie Neville (Image: Supplied by Sophie Neville)

The 13ft dinghies have been passed to the Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust, based Hunter’s boatyard in Ludham.

The trust already has an extensive collection of wooden boats, including others linked to the Ransome books.

Eastern Daily Press: Claude Whatham, director, talking to the Swallows (Sten Grendon, Simon West, Sophie Neville and Suzanna Hamilton) Picture: Supplied by Sophie NevilleClaude Whatham, director, talking to the Swallows (Sten Grendon, Simon West, Sophie Neville and Suzanna Hamilton) Picture: Supplied by Sophie Neville (Image: Supplied by Sophie Neville)

It will be able to care for the ageing craft, which belong to the Arthur Ransome Society, and keep them afloat and hope to make them available for future generations to enjoy.

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The Broads will be new waters for the boats which are so closely associated with the Lake District, where Ransome's book about the adventures of the Walker children (the Swallows) and the Blackett sisters (the Amazons) are set.

Eastern Daily Press: Sophie Neville as Titty Walker filming on Derwent Water - Picture: Sophie NevilleSophie Neville as Titty Walker filming on Derwent Water - Picture: Sophie Neville (Image: Sophie Neville)

The book was written in 1930 and the two boats - both built at around the time of the Second World War - were chosen by filmmakers when they started work on the 1970s production.

The film starred Virginia McKenna and Ronald Fraser and was shot on location in the Lake District.

Eastern Daily Press: Virginina McKenna (left) and Sophie Neville on Peel Island in the 1974 Swallows and Amazons film - Picture: Supplied by Sophie NevilleVirginina McKenna (left) and Sophie Neville on Peel Island in the 1974 Swallows and Amazons film - Picture: Supplied by Sophie Neville (Image: Sophie Neville)

Neville Khambatta, chairman of the Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust, explained how the dinghies had now come to Norfolk.

"The people who owned them both wanted them to go back to the Lake District as that is where the stories took place," he said.

“But there was no one there who was able to work on the boats.  

“They are not wrecks but they both need looking after as they are old wooden boats that were made around the time of the Second World War.  

Eastern Daily Press: Swallows and Amazons filmography showing Sophie Neville as Titty - Picture: Supplied by Sophie NevilleSwallows and Amazons filmography showing Sophie Neville as Titty - Picture: Supplied by Sophie Neville (Image: Sophie Neville)

“The new owners, the Arthur Ransome Society, approached us and asked us if we would look after them, repair them, and then find a way of letting people use them. We said 'yes'."

Ahead of the filming in the 1970s, the owner of Amazon is said to have been reluctant to let her be used. But the filmmakers promised to “fix her up a bit” once filming had commenced, so the owner agreed.  

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She was also used in the black and white BBC serial of Swallows and Amazons made in 1962.  

Eastern Daily Press: The Amazon and Swallow as they are today.The Amazon and Swallow as they are today. (Image: Val Khambatta)

Swallow was found at Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex and had been built by William King & Sons. She was purchased for the film. 

In 2010, a group of Arthur Ransome enthusiasts clubbed together to buy Swallow at auction with the aim of sailing her again.  

Currently she needs major work and will not be in use this year, while Amazon might be ready to row, or even sail, soon following some work. 

Eastern Daily Press: In situ at Hunter’s Yard in Ludham.In situ at Hunter’s Yard in Ludham. (Image: Val Khambatta)

Mr Khambatta added: “They are actually very ordinary little boats, but they are also special because as well as surviving all this time there will be a lot of people who remember reading the books when they were boys and girls.” 

Eastern Daily Press: Neville Khambatta, chairman of The Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust at Hunter’s has expressed his excitement for the project.Neville Khambatta, chairman of The Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust at Hunter’s has expressed his excitement for the project. (Image: Val Khambatta)

Hunter’s is already in possession of other boats which were used in BBC series of the Ransome novels Coot Club and The Big Six, which were set on the Broads, including Teasel, Titmouse and Dreadnought.

The yard itself also featured in the series.

Swallows and Amazons, the most famous of Ransome's books, was made into a more recent film, with a 2016 production starring Rafe Spall, Kelly Macdonald and Harry Enfield.

It used different boats in the role of the Swallow and the Amazon.