Garner was born in Congleton in the front room of his grandfather's house. He grew up in a town called Alderley Edge. His family told stories about the local area involving kings, knights and wizards. He played with his friends in the cliffs and forests around the town. He later used these experiences to give him ideas for his books. In 1953 he went to Oxford University but left after a few years because he wanted to concentrate on writing.