Lonely PlanetAug 13
The top 10 places in England for literature lovers
Landscapes, villages and homes that influenced the country’s most famous writers.
annual event drawing visitors from across the world
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