Literary

Britain, places to visit, attractions, heritage
Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.

This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in North East England.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.

Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse. 

EAGLE and CHILD, Oxford

Popular 17th century pub known for its associations with regulars , the writers RR Tolkien and CS Lewis. The pub is also known as 'the bird and baby'. It is owned by St John's College, but leased out.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
49 St Giles
Oxford
County
Oxfordshire
Post Code
OX1 3LU
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Oxford City Centre and colleges. Lamb & Flag is opposite.
Primary Management
Private - open to the public
HARDY’S COTTAGE

The writer Thomas Hardy's birthplace in 1840, where he grew up with his parents and sisters and where he wrote Under the Greenwood Tree and Far from the Madding Crowd.

Note - entry is sometimes by timed ticket.

Image: Chris Downer via Wikimedia Commons

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Higher Brockhampton
Nr Dorchester
County
Dorset
Post Code
DT2 8QJ
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Tip/Nearby
Clouds Hill, Bovington, Max Gate, Tolpuddle
Primary Management
National Trust
Hill Top

This is children's author, illustrator and farmer Beatrix Potter's house, which she bought in 1906 and where she wrote many of her tales. The house, along with a great deal of land in the Lake District, was left to the National Trust after Beatrix died in 1943. The house, which is 17th century, is really tiny and inevitably gets crowded - entry is often by timed ticket and queues are likely. However, you can also wander in the garden and see if you can spot Peter Rabbit.

You should also note that parking is very limited at this property.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Near Sawrey
Hawkeshead
Ambleside
County
Cumbria
Post Code
LA22 0LF
Main Historic Period
Edwardian
Tip/Nearby
Despite the address, the property is a good distance from either Hawkshead or Ambleside. The most interesting route is to take your car or bike on the ferry across Windermere between Bowness and Far Sawrey.
Primary Management
National Trust
KEATS HOUSE Museum

The Keats House Museum was home to the poet John Keats between 1818 and 1820. He is said to have written several of his great works here, including Ode to a Nightingale and Ode on a Grecian Urn. Keats was born in Moorgate, London, in 1795 and died in Rome in 1821. The house was built between 1814 and 1816.

Photo credit: Alphauser via Wikimedia

Region/Nation
Location/Address
10 Keats Grove
Hampstead
County
London
Post Code
NW3 2RR
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House
Primary Management
Local Authority
KILNS (The)

The Kilns is the former home of CS Lewis, novelist and academic, best known for his Chronicles of Narnia series. Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898, served in the army during WW1 and held senior posts at both Oxford and Cambridge universities. The Kilns was his home from 1930 until his death in 1963. It is owned and managed by the CS Lewis Foundation, which appears to be based in the USA.  Tours are available but must be booked.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Risinghurst
Oxford
County
Oxfordshire
Post Code
OX3 8JD
Main Historic Period
Modern
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
CS Lewis Nature Reserve
Primary Management
Private - open to the public
Kirkoswald Old Kirkyard

The old churchyard surround the ruins of Kirkoswald's old parish church, dedicated to St Oswald, King of Northumbria, who is said to have won a battle on the site in c634AD and built a church in thanks for his victory. Inside the church is the font that is said to have been used for the christening of Robert the Bruce at nearby Crossaguel Abbey in 1274, moved here for safety during the Reformation. It is not possible to enter the church, but the font can be seen through a door.  As well as containing several fascinating and astonishingly ornate headstones, the churchyard is the last resting place of many associated with Robert Burns, who went to school in Kirkoswald. Amongst the burials are his maternal grandparents, teacher, Hugh Rodger, John Davidson (Souter Johnnie), Douglas Graham (Tam o' Shanter) and Jean Kennedy (Kirkton Jean).

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Main Road
Kirkoswald
Maybole
County
Ayrshire
Post Code
KA19 8HY
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Tip/Nearby
Souter Johnnie's Cottage, Culzean Castle
Primary Management
Unknown
MAX GATE

Writer Thomas Hardy's house from 1885 until his death in 1928. It was here that he wrote Tess of the d'Urbervilles and the Mayor of Casterbridge. The house was designed by Hardy himself - he was a trained architect - and later extended. Hardy also laid out the gardens.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Alington Avenue
Dorchester
County
Dorset
Post Code
DT1 2AB
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Tip/Nearby
Maiden Castle, Hardy's Cottage
Primary Management
National Trust
NANCY’S STEPS

Steps on the south-west side of London Bridge associated with the fictional murder of Nancy in Charles Dickens' novel 'Oliver Twist'

Region/Nation
Location/Address
London Bridge
South Bank
West side
County
London
Post Code
SE1
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
London Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, HMS Belfast, Borough Market
Primary Management
Local Authority
Peter Pan

The Scottish author J M Barrie erected a statue to his creation in Kensington Gardens in 1912, on the spot near the Long Water, where Peter landed having flown out of his nursery.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Kensington
County
London
Post Code
W2 2UH
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Post code is very approximate. Use a map and explore Kensington Gardens
Primary Management
Royal Parks
POOH CORNER

If you're looking for 100 Acre Wood, Poohsticks Bridge, the Enchanted Place - and all the other spots associated with Winnie-the-Pooh, you'll find them all in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Unless you know where you're going, probably the best place to start is the House at Pooh Corner, a shop and cafe (Piglet's Cafe), specialising in all things Pooh. You could even try to trap a Heffalump.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
High Street
Hartfield
County
East Sussex
Post Code
TN7 4AE
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Between East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells
Primary Management
Other

If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch

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