The Best Destinations for Literature Lovers
18 May 2023
Dear reader, you’re invited to discover a selection of landscapes and locals from across the UK that have shaped some of the greatest works of fiction in history – perfect destinations for bookworms and literature lovers.
Bats, Barghests and Bram
In 1890, theatre manager Bram Stoker took a holiday to the coastal town of Whitby in Yorkshire, unaware that his visit would help inform many elements of his novel, Dracula. From bats that resided in the church tower, to the steps that lead to the Abbey and even names taken from gravestones in the nearby cemetery, Stoker took inspiration from all the sights, sounds and superstitions Whitby has to offer and distilled it into his story. The wreckage of a Russian schooner, The Dmitry, was still on the east cliff beach during Stoker’s stay and it became the basis for The Demeter, the ill-fated ship that brings the count to England’s shores. Once he arrives, the vampire jumps from the ship in the form of a great Black Dog, which is also taken from an actual local legend known as the Barghest Hound, said to portend your doom if you hear it howl.
Experience a taste of Whitby on our spectacular 5-day Historic Durham, Beamish & Captain Cook's Whitby break, where you'll be able to wander around the busy harbour, tackle the climb up to the atmospheric ruined abbey perched on the cliffs above the town and purchase some infamous jet jewellery.
When One Legacy is Not Enough
Sissinghurst Castle has become known for its meticulously curated gardens, once described as the ‘most famous 20th-century garden in England’. They were designed and constructed by the pioneering Vita Sackville-West, an author and journalist who documented her experiences travelling the world with her diplomat husband, Sir Harold Nicolson. Though a well-respected writer and designer, Sackville-West’s most enduring influence comes in the form of the titular character of Virginia Woolf’s ground-breaking novel, Orlando, the tale of an aristocratic figure that marches through the centuries flitting between royal courts, sailing ships and Romani communities all while transcending gender, mortality and even time. Woolf took inspiration from the spirit and form of her beloved companion and created what Sackville-West’s son described as ‘the longest and most charming love letter in literature…’
Explore the romantic county of Kent and the astonishing Sissinghurst Castle on our delightful 5-day Castles & Gardens of Glorious Kent getaway.
More Money, Moor Problems
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. One of the most enduring opening lines to any novel ever, the enigmatic house from Daphne du Maurier’s timeless classic, Rebecca, took inspiration from the author’s own home of Menabilly in Cornwall (though on a grander scale befitting a wealthy family). Du Maurier created an incredible catalogue of stories that incorporated elements from all corners of the county’s romantic scenery. The sinister hive of Jamaica Inn was taken from the real-life, 16th-century coaching inn of the same name that sits between Bodmin and Launceston, which du Maurier would see when riding on the moors with friends. From the portrait viewed at Anthony House which led to the creation of My Cousin Rachel, to the village of Tywardreath whose name translates to The House on the Strand, very few writers are as inextricably linked to a place as greatly as du Maurier is to Cornwall.
Cornwall is a melting pot of holiday must-haves, and our 5-day coach break to Newquay, Cornish Ports & Bodmin Jail will not disappoint! Think shorelines freckled with hide-and-seek coves to soft-sand beaches and gorgeous coastal towns, there's something to explore around every corner.
Strange Neighbours in Bath
Within only a few short years at the start of the 19th century, the spa city of Bath was called home by two of history’s most renowned (and contrasting) authors, Jane Austen and Mary Shelley. Austen lived in the town from 1801-1806 during which time her novel The Watsons was published, and though Shelley resided in Bath for a shorter period, a large amount of her seminal work, Frankenstein, was written during her stay. Today, the two are unlikely neighbours in the city as centres dedicated to each of them now sit next door to one another and costumed figures from both authors’ works walk side by side through the streets of Bath, creating a delightfully mismatched scene for visitors to enjoy.
Explore the best of the West Country, including the elegant city of Bath, on our coach break to The West Country, Beautiful Bath & West Somerset Railway. Remaining faithful to its Regency roots, with an abundance of elegant terraces, circuses and squares in a picturesque valley setting, it's no wonder why both Austen and Shelley called this place home whilst writing their novels.
Visit Britain's Iconic Literary Destinations on a Just Go! Holidays Coach Break
If you have an interest in visiting some of the most famous literary locations in Britain, why not join us for a hassle-free coach holiday? With return coach travel, hotel accommodations and free excursions included, there's no better way to discover more about some of the most famous and loved authors in the world.