Inspired by their great works of fiction, there is nothing like being able to visit where they lived and be surrounded by the scenery and location that inspired their writing. There are several famous writer’s homes that you can visit in the United Kingdom.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace (Stratford Upon Avon)
This is the house where William Shakespeare was born and spent his early years. It is now a museum dedicated to his life and works. Located in the market town of Stratford Upon Avon, you will find never-ending references to the most famous playwright in the world. In the centre of town on Henley Street you will find a large timber-clad house which is where Shakespeare was born and where he spent his childhood. Actors and guides in costume will take you through the house which is now filled with artifacts and the rooms are dressed to resemble what they would have been like during Shakespeare’s lifetime.
If you are a fan of The Bard, or even if you do not know much about his plays, this is a great place to visit and soak up a key part of British history.
Jane Austen’s House Museum (Chawton, Hampshire)
This charming cottage was the former residence of author Jane Austen from 1809 until 1817, where she wrote and revised some of her most famous novels: “Pride and Prejudice”, “Sense and Sensibility”, “Mansfield Park” and “Emma”. Now the house is the Jane Austen’s House museum and has been restored to reflect the house Austen would have inhabited.
Charles Dickens Museum (London)
Located in the house where Charles Dickens once lived, this museum provides insights into the life and works of the renowned Victorian author. It houses a collection of his personal items, manuscripts, and memorabilia. Located at 48 Doughty Street in Bloomsbury, London, you can explore the place where Dickens wrote “Nicholas Nickleby”, “Pickwick Papers” and “Oliver Twist”. The house has been set up to resemble how it would have looked like whilst Dickens lived there, so be ready to be transported to Victorian England.
Bronte Parsonage Museum (Haworth, West Yorkshire)
The Bronte Parsonage was the childhood home of the Bronte sisters- Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. It is now a museum showcasing their lives and literary achievements, including the famous novels “Jane Eyre”, “Wuthering Heights” and “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall”. The parsonage can now be explored where you can see exactly where the sisters wrote, and see the world’s largest collection of Bronte furniture, clothes, personal belongings, and even original manuscripts. Located in the stunning village of Haworth, visiting the Parsonage is just one of the great things to see. Every fan of the Bronte’s will enjoy the breathtaking views of the dramatic moorland that played such a pivotal role in “Wuthering Heights”
Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top (Near Sawrey, Cumbria)
Hill Top is a farmhouse that once belonged to Beatrix Potter, the beloved children’s author, and illustrator known for her characters like Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. The house and gardens showcase her life and inspirations and the 17th Century farmhouse is quintessentially English. Explore the house and her beautiful garden as well as the Cumbrian landscape that inspired many of her most famous tales and illustrations. The house has been lovingly preserved by the National Trust with all the rooms decorated and feel like you are going back in time.
Thomas Hardy’s Cottage (Wessex)
This beautiful and traditional thatch and cob cottage is where you can step into the world of Thomas Hardy and see exactly where Hardy’s writing career began and where he penned some of his most famous works including “Under the Greenwood Tree” and “Far From The Madding Crowd”. Surrounding the cottage, you can explore the cottage garden which is full of colourful wildflowers and helped inspire the beautiful descriptions of the natural world in his works.
Agatha Christie’s Greenway (Devon)
A stunning white Georgian House, located in the Devon hills, Greenway was described by Agatha Christie as “the loveliest place in the world” and couldn’t resist buying it and it was her dream house since she was a child. For those who love grand countryside houses or love the works of Agatha Christie will love exploring this house. The Christie family were avid collectors so the house is full of fascinating objects along with scrapbooks and of course Agatha Christie novels.
These are just a few examples of the many writer’s homes you can visit in the UK. Each offers a unique opportunity to explore the lives and creative spaces of some of the country’s most renowned literary figures and make a fantastic day out.
