The glorious retro animated Famous Five ads for Great Western Railway are back for summer 2023, with their first new adventure for three years.

A new TV ad, Five Get There First, promotes travelling by train and how it can deliver a level of comfort, speed, sustainability and ability to socialise you don’t get by taking the car.

The campaign is the fourth to feature Enid Blyton’s Famous Five characters, and was again created by agency adam&eveDDB.

A trip to the seaside pits Uncle Quentin (voiced by Richard E Grant) and Aunt Fanny (Jennifer Saunders) in their sports car (which looks very much like a Triumph TR3, or is a 3a?), against the Famous Five travelling in the comfort of a hybrid GWR train.

“Last one there is a rotten egg,” calls out Quentin as Fanny speeds away in the car bearing the registration ENID B (in a nod to Famous Five author, Enid Blyton).

But, as you might expect (because this is an ad for the train, not for a classic car), the couple’s journey is plagued by traffic delays, road pollution, a mud-obscured windscreen and farmyard hazards, before a final crash onto the beach.

Meanwhile, Julian, George, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog have a more peaceful trip, with lovely views, conversation and cups of tea. Perhaps even their famous cake and ginger beer too!

By the time Quentin and Fanny arrive, the car is a wreck, and the children have already been there for some time. Finally reunited, Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny resolve to start travelling by train as well.

The message is clear – the train is the better choice. But, to be honest, if I had the chance of a ride to the seaside in a TR3 with Richard E Grant or Jennifer Saunders for company, I would not be taking the train. And the car trip also provides much more of an adventure (surely the Five would prefer that – and they’d find a way to squeeze in!).

But it’s a lovely, nostalgic ad, which I’m sure will appeal to travellers of a certain age and those with a taste for its vintage style and witty content.

The GWR network includes destinations in the Cotswolds, London, South Wales and the south coast.

adam&eveDDB executive creative director Ben Tollett said: “We couldn’t be prouder to present yet another high energy caper from the Famous Five. This time the gang race to the beach, whilst Aunt Fanny and Uncle Quentin find trouble in taking the car.”

You can see the ad here.

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