Lonely PlanetAug 13
The top 10 places in England for literature lovers
Landscapes, villages and homes that influenced the country’s most famous writers.
delighting locals and visitors since 1854
25 things in this story
- Dove CottageMuseumWordsworth’s home, restored to reflect life 200 years ago
- Wordsworth MuseumMuseumexplores Wordsworth’s creative life
- St Oswald’s ChurchPlace of worshipWordsworth’s final resting place
- Grasmere Chocolate CottageRestaurantbuy sweet treats here
- Barney’s NewsboxMarketbuy a jigsaw puzzle here
- Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread shopRestaurantdelighting locals and visitors since 1854
- Grasmere Rushbearing FestivalFestivaltraditional Cumbrian celebration in July
- Grasmere to Rydal WaterTrail5.3-mile circular walk
- Elsewhere
- Top WithensSightHaworth, United Kingdomruins said to be inspiration for Wuthering Heights
- Brontë Parsonage MuseumMuseumHaworth, United Kingdompreserves manuscripts and belongings of the Brontë sisters
- Brontë Festival of Women’s WritingFestivalHaworth, United Kingdomannual event drawing visitors from across the world
- Keighley & Worth Valley RailwayPlaceHaworth, United Kingdomheritage railway for taking in the scope of West Yorkshire
- Brontë WayTrailHaworth, United Kingdom7-mile section to Top Withens
- Wave of NostalgiaMarketHaworth, United Kingdombookshop for Brontë-inspired crafts
- Old White Lion HotelHotelHaworth, United Kingdomenjoy a pint here
- Hardy’s CottageSightDorchester, United Kingdomwhere Thomas Hardy wrote Under the Greenwood Tree
- Max GateAttractionDorchester, United KingdomVictorian home Hardy designed and lived in
- Dorset Museum and Art GalleryMuseumDorchester, United Kingdomexplore key themes of Hardy’s life
- Thomas Hardy Victorian FairFestivalDorchester, United Kingdomenjoy this event in June
- Hardy WayTrailDorchester, United Kingdomlong-distance trail through Hardy’s Wessex
- Puddletown Forest CircularTrailDorchester, United Kingdom3.6-mile loop popular with day hikers
- Hill TopAttractionNear Sawrey, United KingdomBeatrix Potter's former home, beautifully preserved
- ArmittMuseumAmbleside, United Kingdommuseum and gallery in Ambleside
- Beatrix Potter GalleryMuseumHawkshead, United Kingdomgallery in Hawkshead
- World of Beatrix PotterMuseumBowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdomattraction in Bowness-on-Windermere