 In 1957 Garner purchased Toad Hall, a late mediaeval building in Blackden, seven miles from Alderley Edge.In the late 19th century the Hall had been divided into two agricultural labourers' cottages, but Garner obtained both for a total of £670, and proceeded to convert them back into a single home.It was at Toad Hall, on the afternoon of Tuesday 4 September 1957, that Garner set about writing his first novel, which would result in "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen".