Lonely PlanetAug 13, 2026
The top 10 places in England for literature lovers
Landscapes, villages and homes that influenced the country’s most famous writers.
25 things in this story
- Top WithensSightruins said to be inspiration for Wuthering Heights
- Brontë Parsonage MuseumMuseumpreserves manuscripts and belongings of the Brontë sisters
- Brontë Festival of Women’s WritingFestivalannual event drawing visitors from across the world
- Keighley & Worth Valley RailwayPlaceheritage railway for taking in the scope of West Yorkshire
- Brontë WayTrail7-mile section to Top Withens
- Wave of NostalgiaMarketbookshop for Brontë-inspired crafts
- Old White Lion HotelHotelenjoy a pint here
- Elsewhere
- 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
- Dove CottageMuseumGrasmere, United KingdomWordsworth’s home, restored to reflect life 200 years ago
- Wordsworth MuseumMuseumGrasmere, United Kingdomexplores Wordsworth’s creative life
- St Oswald’s ChurchPlace of worshipGrasmere, United KingdomWordsworth’s final resting place
- Grasmere Chocolate CottageRestaurantGrasmere, United Kingdombuy sweet treats here
- Barney’s NewsboxMarketGrasmere, United Kingdombuy a jigsaw puzzle here
- Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread shopRestaurantGrasmere, United Kingdomdelighting locals and visitors since 1854
- Grasmere Rushbearing FestivalFestivalGrasmere, United Kingdomtraditional Cumbrian celebration in July
- Grasmere to Rydal WaterTrailGrasmere, United Kingdom5.3-mile circular walk
- 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