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England鈥檚 literary history is etched into its landscapes: the windswept moors that echo with the cries of Wuthering Heights, the quiet cottages where Jane Austen polished her sharp social comedies, and the serene lakes that inspired William Wordsworth鈥檚 poetry. 

London, Oxford, and Bath may draw the lion鈥檚 share of literary travellers, but the soul of England鈥檚 bookish history lies in its small towns and villages. 

Virginia Woolf once observed, 鈥淓very secret of a writer鈥檚 soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.鈥� Across England, those secrets linger not just in books, but in these places that influenced writers and are waiting to be discovered.

1. Haworth, West Yorkshire 鈥� Bront毛 country

Best for dramatic moorland landscapes

The Bront毛 sisters鈥擟harlotte, Emily, and Anne鈥攇rew up in Haworth, a village of steep cobbled streets and stone cottages overlooking wild moors. The, once their home, preserves their manuscripts and belongings, while the annual draws visitors from across the world. Don鈥檛 miss a ride on the heritage. Follow the 7-mile section of the to Top Withens, the ruins said to have inspired the Earnshaw home in Wuthering Heights.

Planning tip: Browse the bookshop for Bront毛-inspired crafts, or enjoy a pint at. Visit in September for the Bront毛 Parsonage events or autumn moor walks. 

2. Grasmere, Cumbria 鈥� Wordsworth鈥檚 inspiration

Best for chocolate box scenery

William Wordsworth loved Grasmere, 鈥渢he loveliest spot that man hath ever found鈥�. His has been faithfully restored to reflect life as it was over 200 years ago. Next door, the explores his creative life through original manuscripts, letters, journals, and personal belongings. Explore the conservation area of, complete with old lamp posts, cobbled streets and a 17th century; pop into the medieval (Wordsworth's final resting place), and return home with sweet treats from and a jigsaw puzzle from.

Planning tip: Stop by Sarah Nelson鈥檚, which has been delighting locals and visitors since 1854. Time your trip with the in July for a traditional Cumbrian celebration.  You could embark on the 5.3-mile circular walk from, one of the Lake District鈥檚 smallest serene lakes. The low-level path along the shoreline is perfect for paddling and picnicking  

3. Hill Top, Near Sawrey - Beatrix Potter鈥檚 home 

Best for walking, exploring, and enjoying the countryside

The village of Near Sawrey is where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her beloved tales, from The Tale of Peter Rabbit to Jemima Puddle-Duck. Potter believed her village was 鈥渁s near perfect a little place as I ever lived in鈥�, and her former home,, is now a beautifully preserved property, much as she left it, with sketches and personal treasures. Nearby, visit the,  a museum and gallery in Ambleside; the in Hawkhead; and the in Bowness-on-Windermere.  A 13-mile walk takes you along the shores of and the wooded fells of Claife Heights, leading to Near Sawrey and Hawkshead.    

Planning tip: Take the across Lake Windermere to Near Sawrey, then enjoy tea at, which was featured in Potter鈥檚 illustrations. A visit in spring showcases gardens awash with colour.  

4. Chawton, Hampshire 鈥� Jane Austen鈥檚 village

Best for country pubs, walled gardens and afternoon tea

Jane Austen spent her later years in the village of Chawton, where she revised Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Today, the is a cherished destination for Austen fans, a literary time capsule displaying her personal letters, garments, and her writing table. The village鈥檚 Georgian charm and quiet lanes create the feeling of Austen鈥檚 England. Nearby, the historic, once owned by Austen鈥檚 brother, hosts exhibitions on early women鈥檚 writing. Walk the 4.5-mile which evokes the author鈥檚 countryside rambles, following in her footsteps across fields and through the village of Farringdon.

Planning tip: Visit the delightful tearoom for afternoon tea, or walk 1.8 miles to the thriving market town of, where Austen and sister normally went shopping. 

5. Bakewell, Derbyshire 鈥� Pride and Prejudice inspiration 

Best for fresh air in the garden and outdoor fun

Said to be the inspiration for Lambton in Jane Austen鈥檚 Pride and Prejudice, Bakewell is a charming town with honey-hued stone buildings, winding lanes, and riverside walks. The historic market town is an ideal base for visiting, widely believed to have inspired Mr Darcy鈥檚 Pemberley. The sweeping grounds and stately grandeur offer a glimpse into Austen鈥檚 fictional world. Visit, housed in a Grade I listed building, and explore, which offers a window into Bakewell鈥檚 rural past. The 6-mile Bakewell-to-Chatsworth follows the Monsal Trail, meanders through woodland and the village of Edensor, and finishes at Chatsworth. Stop off for a cup of tea and cake at.

Planning tip: Sample the famous Bakewell tart at. In August, make time for, one of England's most popular annual outdoor events. 

6. Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire 鈥� Roald Dahl鈥檚 imaginarium

Best for imagination and escapism

Roald Dahl鈥檚 imaginative world is rooted in Great Missenden, the village he called home for 30 years. Tucked in the Misbourne Valley of Chiltern Hills, it鈥檚 all winding lanes, half-timbered cottages, and Georgian fa莽ades. The is a treat for visitors of all ages, featuring the Boy gallery, which explores Dahl鈥檚 school days; the Solo gallery, with the author鈥檚 Writing Hut; and the interactive Story Centre. Nearby, the 12th-century is now a venue for conferences and weddings. weaves through the author鈥檚 favourite countryside haunts, taking in key locations from Danny, the Champion of the World, as well as other local landmarks.

Planning tip: Drop by pub, which Dahl frequented, or stroll past 62 High Street, formerly The Red Lion inn, where RL Stevenson spent a night in October 1874 during a walking tour of the Chilterns. 

7. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire 鈥� Shakespeare鈥檚 hometown 

Best for history and culture

Stratford offers quiet corners for those willing to step off the touristy path., the bard鈥檚 childhood home; and, the home of his daughter. Stroll the Avon riverbanks and explore, the family home of William Shakespeare鈥檚 wife-to-be in Shottery. Don鈥檛 miss, the childhood home of Shakespeare鈥檚 mother, in Wilmcote. Follow a two-mile along the River Avon, beginning and ending at the Bancroft Gardens and winding through the heart of the market town.

Planning tip: Catch a performance, or browse books at the, the bookshop of the Shakespeare Trust. 

8. Dorchester, Dorset 鈥� Hardy鈥檚 Wessex 

Best for rolling hills and beaches

Dorchester and its surrounding countryside form the backdrop to Thomas Hardy鈥檚 fictional Wessex, the landscape that shaped much of his literary world. The cob-and-thatch is where he wrote Under the Greenwood Tree and Far from the Madding Crowd, and has a beautiful garden. At, the Victorian home Hardy designed and lived in for 40 years until his death in 1928, visit the study where he penned much of his poetry. The rural landscape, from chalk hills to rustic barns, still echoes scenes from Tess of the d鈥橴rbervilles and Jude the Obscure.

Planning tip: Stop at the to explore key themes of Hardy鈥檚 life. A visit in June lets you enjoy the.  You can explore a stretch of the 216.5-mile, a long-distance trail that meanders through the heart of Hardy鈥檚 Wessex, or opt for the 3.6-mile, a loop popular with hikers and walkers.  

9. Rye, East Sussex 鈥� Bohemian book haven

Best for fish and chips and icecream

With its half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and medieval passageways, Rye is one of England鈥檚 prettiest historic towns. Its literary heritage, however, is less widely known. Author Henry James once lived at, while EF Benson immortalised the town in his Mapp and Lucia novels. Rye has a creative, bohemian charm, courtesy its indie bookshops, vintage markets, and the lively annual. Not far, the golden sands of Camber provide a coastal contrast.

Planning tip: A self-guided three-mile takes you from Lamb House to Mermaid Street and the. Visit, pick up gifts at, or stop for cake at. Time your visit with. 

10. Lavenham, Suffolk 鈥� Storybook village

Best for Harry Potter enthusiasts

One of England鈥檚 best-preserved medieval villages, Lavenham is nestled in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. Made famous by (1948), written by a young American serviceman during WW2, the town, with half-timbered houses and crooked lanes, shot into the spotlight recently as Godric's Hollow, a fictional wizarding village in the Harry Potter series. The is often linked to the old English nursery rhyme There Was a Crooked Man, while Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, one of the world鈥檚 most beloved lullabies, was penned by Lavenham resident Jane Taylor. Nearby Sudbury is home to and also the setting for Dodie Smith鈥檚 101 Dalmatians. On the, don鈥檛 miss the fountain where Pongo and Missis had a drink as they searched for the puppies.

Planning tip: Explore the village via the 1-mile, which passes centuries-old guildhalls and lanes, or sign up for a to explore the Harry Potter connection. Check into the award-winning luxury stay,s, the last house in Lavenham to be owned by the Earls of Oxford, and step out for a spot of lunch at.