Photo: Ratty and Mole down by the river. © Estate of E H Shepard 2004. Licensed by Copyrights Group.

Do you think you are a Toad? or a Rat? Are we a nation of Weasels?

To mark the April launch of its permanent Wind in the Willows exhibition, the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames commissioned a survey to find out which of the characters from the book people relate to the most.

Intriguingly, the survey conducted by Mori reveals that older adults tend to identify themselves as the lovable and flamboyant Toad, driving around in fast cars.

Peter McConnell, marketing manager at the River and Rowing Museum, says that the survey was carried out "to see if the characters from the book are still recognisable as modern personalities, and to have some fun with the launch of the exhibition."

Altogether 1,044 people over the age of 15 were questioned and according to the results men are three times more likely to identify with the cunning Weasel than women. The fidgety and concerned Mole proved a popular choice in the Midlands.

Photo: the River and Rowing Museum's exhibition takes visitors on an interactive tour through the world of Ratty, Mole, Toad and the gang. Courtesy of the River and Rowing Museum

Overall the most popular choice was the charming Ratty, with one third of all adults questioned likening themselves to the good-hearted and hospitable character.

The survey also asked what career the characters would most likely choose in today’s society. The most popular choice for the weasels was politician, while Ratty and Badger are more likely to be teachers.

Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved tale has come to the museum in a new permanent walk-through attraction. The exhibition faithfully follows the original story line that was inspired by the creatures and landscapes of the River Thames 100 years ago.

The Wind in the Willows was first published on May 10, 1908 and was recently voted at number 16 in the nation’s top 21 best-loved books.

The opening of the exhibition at Henley has been seen by some to mark a return home for the book and its characters. Peter says, "the story was set a couple of miles up the river, and so it makes a lot of sense to bring the Wind in the Willows attraction back to its spiritual home."

Photo: the fantastic Mr Toad! © Estate of E H Shepard 2004. Licensed by Copyrights Group.

All of E.H. Shepard’s beautifully drawn illustrations are brought to life with interactive models of the characters and the locations.

Visitors can experience a walk along the River Bank, through the Wild Wood, into Badger's house and through all twelve chapters of this enchanting adventure story.

Shepard was in fact the fourth illustrator to draw the characters for the Wind in the Willows, and was the first who managed to capture the essence of the animals that Grahame had in mind. Shepard is perhaps more widely known as the illustrator for A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.

Television presenter Philip Schofield officially opened the Wind in the Willows attraction on April 27.

According to Peter McConnell, "we have noticed a rise in visitors since the exhibition opened, and we expect an increase of 30,000 guests this year."