For literature lovers, there are few places more magical than England.
The country has been home to some of the world’s most celebrated writers, including Shakespeare, Austen, and the Bronte sisters.
If you’re a bookworm planning a trip to England, be sure to add these literary landmarks to your itinerary.
Westminster Abbey, London
Westminster Abbey is a beautiful Gothic cathedral where some of England’s most famous authors are buried or have memorials.
The famous English landmark is home to Poets’ Corner and is the final resting place for Chaucer, Tennyson, Dickens, and many other British literary greats.
You can also find a plaque commemorating Geoffrey Chaucer in the nave of the Abbey.
Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton, Hampshire
This quaint little cottage in the village of Chawton was Jane Austen’s last home.
She lived here with her mother and sister from 1809 until her death in 1817.
Today, the cottage is open to the public as a museum dedicated to Austen’s life and work.
Visitors can see personal items belonging to Austen, including clothes, letters, and furniture.
The Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth
The Bronte sisters are some of England’s most beloved authors. Emily wrote Wuthering Heights while living in this parsonage in Haworth with her sisters Charlotte and Anne.
Today, the house is open to the public as a museum devoted to the Bronte family.
Visitors can see original manuscripts and letters written by the sisters, furniture, and personal items belonging to them.
Oxford University Press Museum, Oxford
This museum tells the story of one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious publishing houses – Oxford University Press (OUP).
OUP has been based in Oxford since 1586 and has published works by some of history’s most renowned authors, including Lewis Carroll, JRR Tolkien, and CS Lewis.
The museum houses a collection of rare books, printing equipment, and archival materials dating back to the 16th century.
It’s possible to visit the Oxford University Press museum as part of a day trip from London to Oxford – just remember to book your slot at the museum in advance.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon
No list of literary places in England would be complete without a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon – the birthplace of William Shakespeare!
The half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born in 1564 is now open to the public as a museum devoted to his life and work.
Visitors can see original artefacts belonging to Shakespeare, including his writing desk and chair from his study at New Place.
Beatrix Potter House, Hilltop, The Lake District
This 17th-century farmhouse in the Lake District was once home to children’s author Beatrix Potter.
Potter wrote and illustrated many of her famous stories while living here, including The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck and The Tale of Samuel Whiskers.
Today, Hilltop is open to the public as a museum devoted to Potter’s life and work.
Visitors can see the original illustrations and manuscripts for her stories, as well as furniture and personal items belonging to Potter.
Sherlock Holmes Museum, London
If you’re a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective Sherlock Holmes, then you’ll want to add this museum to your itinerary.
The museum is located on Baker Street in London – the same address as Holmes’ fictional home.
Inside, you can see original artefacts from the stories, including Holmes’ deerstalker hat and pipe.
You can also sit in Holmes’ study and have a look around his famous laboratory.
Winnie The Pooh’s 100 Acre Wood, Sussex
This wood in Ashdown Forest inspired Winnie The Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood.
A.A. Milne, the author of the Pooh stories, lived near the forest and often took his son Christopher Robin there to play.
Today, you can find a plaque commemorating Christopher Robin and his beloved stuffed animals in the wood.
You can also find a statue of Winnie The Pooh and his friends in the town of Hartfield, which is located nearby.
Dickens House Museum, Kent
This 18th-century house in Broadstairs was the summer home of Charles Dickens from 1837 until 1847. Dickens spent many happy years here with his family and often wrote about Broadstairs in his letters.
Today, the house is open to the public as a museum devoted to Dickens’ life and work. Visitors can see original artefacts belonging to Dickens, including furniture and personal items.
Harry Potter, New College, Oxford
Although there are plenty of places to visit in the UK to visit Harry Potter inspired locations, New College in Oxford is a must for any fan of the series.
New College in Oxford was used as the backdrop for Hogwarts.
Related: Things To Do In Oxford
The Famous Five, Brownsea Island, Dorset
If you’re a fan of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series, then you’ll want to add Brownsea Island in Dorset to your list of places to visit.
Owned by the National Trust, Brownsea Island was the inspiration for the Whispering Island in the popular Famous Five books.
Keats House, London
This Georgian house in London was once the home of the romantic poet John Keats. Keats lived here from 1818 until 1820 and wrote some of his most famous poems while living in the house, including ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ and ‘To Autumn’.
Today, the house is open to the public as a museum devoted to Keats’ life and work.
Visitors can see original artefacts belonging to Keats, including furniture and personal items.
There is also a garden where Keats is known to have written some of his poems.
Shakespeare’s Globe, London
This open-air theatre in London is a replica of the original Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599.
The theatre was used for many of Shakespeare’s plays, including Julius Caesar, Macbeth and Hamlet.
Today, the Globe Theatre is used to perform Shakespeare’s plays, and other theatre works. You can also tour the theatre or visit the on-site museum.
The British Library, London
The British Library is one of the largest libraries in the world and houses over 170 million items.
The library has an extensive collection of books, manuscripts and other materials, including many items belonging to famous authors and poets.
The library is open to the public; you can visit the reading rooms or take a tour.
You can also see some of the library’s most famous items, such as the Magna Carta and the first-ever Bible printed in English.
The Eagle and Child, Oxford
Few pubs can boast the literary history of The Eagle and Child in Oxford, England.
This pub was once a regular meeting spot for J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, two of the most famous authors of the 20th century.
The Eagle and Child was also part of a writer’s group called The Inklings, which included other notable authors such as Owen Barfield and Charles Williams.