3 Stops Every Bookworm Must Make In The U.K.
For people who love literature, one of the main attractions of a good book written by a brilliant author is the way that the writing takes you into a whole new place, far from home. Once the book is finished and you've closed the cover, you may long for a chance to explore that space again. While that's pretty hard to accomplish if your book is set in outer space or in a fictional universe, there are plenty of real literary sites that you absolutely can tour, and many of them can be found in the United Kingdom. Take a look at some of the top stops for bookworms visiting the U.K.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
No self-respecting literature enthusiast should pass up the chance to visit the birthplace of one of the most famous authors of all time, William Shakespeare. The home on Henley Street in Stratford-Upon-Avon where the famous bard was born has been preserved and can be toured. Once you've seen that, travel about a mile down the road and you can see the cottage where the adult Shakespeare lived with his bride Anne Hathaway.
Once you've taken a tour of Shakespeare's life, you can round things off by visiting the place where he was laid to rest after his death. This would be the Holy Trinity Church, also located in Stratford. Go inside to view a special memorial for Shakespeare, who was baptized in the same church.
Whitby
Literature fans and vampire movie fans alike should be interested in visiting Whitby, the parish in North Yorkshire where Bram Stoker set his chilling novel Dracula. You can even tour the ruins of Whiby Abbey, which is detailed in the book.
You can also visit the St. Mary's church graveyard that is featured in the novel – just don't forget that the events that occurred there were fictional. According to locals, many visitors – perhaps spellbound by Stoker's vivid writing – forget that Dracula is a fictional creation, and actually ask if they can see Dracula's grave.
Broadstairs
Charles Dickens fans won't want to miss a visit to Broadstairs, a coastal town located in the district of Kent. It's there that you'll be able to tour Bleak House, which was originally known as Fort House because the captain who guarded one of the town's two forts resided there. It picked up the name Bleak House after the Dickens novel.
Whether Fort House was the Bleak House referred to by Dickens is unknown, and the subject of much controversy. What is known for sure, though, is that it was at this house that Dickens penned what is arguably his greatest work, David Copperfield. For that reason alone, it seems fitting that the house has been given the name of one of Dickens' creations.
These are just a few of the historic literary travel spots that can be found in the United Kingdom. If you're planning a trip to the region, ask your travel agent to help you create an itinerary that includes all of the famous literary tourist spots you can get to.
