Dobby’s grave could be removed from beach after National Trust survey

The grave, which pays tribute to the beloved House Elf from the Harry Potter franchise, sits by Freshwater West beach in Wales, where the scene of his death was filmed.

However, the National Trust, which owns the beach, is now asking for the public’s opinion on whether or not to remove it.

Dobby, who first appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was enslaved to the Malfoy family before being freed by Harry at the end of the first book and film.

He then repaid the favour in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by spiriting Harry and his friends to safety but was hit by a knife and died shortly afterwards.

In the book, Harry digs a grave for Dobby, marking it with a stone that says: “Here lies Dobby, a free elf”.

In real life, fans have left pebbles with messages on for Dobby, as well as socks.

However, National Trust Wales have released a survey about its Freshwater West site, asking the public about traffic, parking – and Dobby’s grave.

In the survey, the questions address whether it should be left on-site, or moved to a “suitable publicly accessible location off-site”.

“Over time, the much-loved Freshwater West has become increasingly popular,” the National Trust adds in the survey.

“Access to nature and the outdoors for all is vitally important but the increase in visitors has added additional pressure on the environment and facilities… we hope elements within this menu of options will help get closer to a viable, sustainable and environmentally respectful future solution for the management of this special place.”

Twitter users were also split over the decision.

“Honour him with a bank holiday but a memorial is a bit much,” one wrote about the grave, while another commented: “Leave it be, it’s lovely and it’s not doing any harm. Removing it is pointless, people will still visit there, leave Dobby [to] rest in peace!”

The survey is open until 31 May, so all Harry Potter fans, have your say here.