On social media, at the height of summer, travel vlogs are back in their peak season. Every year, some of them strive to combine sunsets, sand dunes and childhood fantasies. That's what 26-year-old Jessica (like other persons mentioned by first name only, she wished to remain anonymous) did at the end of July, when she headed for Freshwater West beach, near the town of Pembroke in southwestern Wales, UK. The site's claim to fame: It was the setting for a well-known scene from the Harry Potter series, appearing in part one of the last installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in 2010. It was on this beach that Dobby, an eccentric elf who helps the young wizard throughout the stories, died and was buried. "I live in Germany and I've been looking forward to this for months. Seeing Dobby's grave in real life is just incredible," says Jessica.

A few years ago, fans set up a memorial to the elf on the beach. Over time, more and more visitors have continued a tradition of leaving painted pebbles and socks at the base of the tombstone, which reads: "Here lies Dobby, a free elf."

In the books, elves are enslaved and can only be free if they are given a garment. In Volume 2, Harry gives Dobby a sock, marking the end of his enslavement. After the elf's death, the story goes that the young wizard regularly visits his friend's grave, each time bringing a new pair of socks. A plot point not lost on fans, many of whom re-enact the scene when they visit Freshwater West.

In 2022, the National Trust, the conservation organization responsible for the beach, expressed concern about the increasing number of visitors and this curious habit, which could have harmful effects on the environment of this coastline, classified as an area of scientific interest and a protected zone. The association launched an investigation, at the conclusion of which it announced that "the memorial to Dobby will remain at Freshwater West in the immediate term for people to enjoy."

But the National Trust had also warned fans to "to only take photos." Objects such as socks, trinkets and painted pebbles can end up in the marine environment, disrupting the food chain and endangering wildlife. At Freshwater West, it is still possible to find large grey seals and porpoises, as well as large populations of aquatic birds.

Despite warnings from the National Trust, tourists and videos on social media seem to depict an unchanged situation, especially at the height of summer. Aiden, 25, from Cardiff, went there in June: "All around the memorial, the ground was littered with socks and painted pebbles. It was like a mountain," he said. Like most visitors to the memorial, Aiden grew up with Harry Potter. That doesn't mean he understands the behavior of some fans. "These stupid socks end up in the ocean and become a problem for creatures which are not fictional," he said. In 2023, locals removed the mass of socks and other objects from the beach, but the mess returned soon after.

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