Pokumaa

Edgar Valter, an Estonian illustrator, wrote and drew Pokuraamat in 1994, a book about the pokud, small creatures that come into being from bog tussocks and live in the mire, and the book became a fixture of Estonian childhood. Pokumaa was created near where Valter lived, a park of bog, meadow and woodland with sculptures and structures of the pokud built into the landscape, play areas made from natural materials, trails and a farm museum, aimed squarely at children but designed with care and without the plastic of a conventional theme park. Valter himself was involved in the early years. It sits in the drumlin and lake country of northern Vorumaa.

The main sights

• The Poku figures - the tussock creatures built into the landscape.
• Nature play areas - the structures made from wood and natural materials.
• The bog and meadow - the setting the book is drawn from.
• The farm museum - the buildings and displays at the entrance.

When to go

May to September, when the park is open and the outdoor areas usable; winter opening is limited to particular events. School holidays are busiest. Weekdays in term time are quiet.

What to expect

The park is aimed at children and adults without them will find it slight. Presentation and signage are almost entirely in Estonian and depend on knowing the book. Opening is seasonal. Facilities are a cafe and shop.

Nearby

Voru lies southeast; Otepaa is north.

Key facts