Do you want to do something a little different on your next holiday? Well, if you love a good book and a spot of history then look no further. There are numerous places of literary interest to visit in Britain and we have chosen 6 hot spots dedicated to 3 world renowned writers; Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and William Shakespeare.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s House Museum – Alton
The Jane Austen’s House Museum is located in the village of Alton in Hampshire. Jane spent the last 8 years of her life at Chawton cottage and completed Emma, Mansfield Park and Persuasion whilst living there. The cottage is part of the Chawton House estate which belonged to her brother Edward. The museum has a small collection of Austen’s manuscripts as well as a number of music books and other objects which once belonged to her.
http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/
The Jane Austen Centre – Bath
In 1800 Jane Austen’s father decided to leave his ministerial position and move his family to Bath. This decampment upset Jane greatly and she struggled to write at all during her years in this fashionable city.
The Jane Austen centre is located in Gay Street, a street on which she once lived, and offers the Austen fan a glimpse into what her life was like at the time. It has a number of immersive exhibitions and a wonderful gift shop.
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/the-jane-austen-centre/exhibition/
Thomas Hardy
Birth Cottage – Higher Bockhampton
The cottage Thomas Hardy was born in was built by his own grandfather and today is little changed from its original state. It has a beautiful thatched roof and quintessential cottage garden. Hardy was schooled at the cottage by his mother until he was 8 years old. He later went on to write Under The Greenwood Tree and Far From The Madding Crowd there. The cottage is now owned by The National Trust who run literary events at the cottage and in surrounding Hardy country.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardys-birthplace/
Max Gate – Dorchester
Hardy lovers will know that the writer trained as an architect before taking up his pen. It is no surprise then to learn that his final house, Max Gate, was designed by Hardy himself. The house, now owned by The National Trust, was built in 1885 and is where Hardy spent the last years of his life before he was taken by pleurisy in 1928. There is a program in place to restore the rooms to what they would have looked like during Hardy’s residence there. It is a great work in progress and definitely worth a visit.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/max-gate/
Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Birthplace – Stratford
Shakespeare lived in his birth house until he was in his mid-twenties. He event spent the first 5 years of his marriage to Anne Hathaway there. It is the place where his mind was shaped as and many Shakespeare enthusiasts consider it a bit of a shrine! When William inherited the house from his Father he lost no time in converting it into a tavern; The Swan & Madienhead. The house now offers visitors a number of fantastic exhibitions as well as daily live theatre.
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit-the-houses/shakespeares-birthplace.html
Shakespeare’s Globe – London
The current Globe theatre is a couple of hundred yards away from the original famous globe site. The original theatre was built by members of the King’s Men, the company to which Shakespeare belonged. It was the first play house of its time which was built by the actors themselves. Hamlet, Othello and King Lear were all written by Shakespeare for the Globe. In 1613 an unlucky stage canon ball set light to the theatres original thatch during a performance of Henry VIII. There are daily tours around the modern theatre as well as a range of productions to take in.
http://www.shakespearesglobe.com
Vicky is from British & Irish Walks who offer literary themed walking tours. She has been reading Austen novels since the age of 13 and loves the city of Bath!
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