Postcard Getaway

Explore England’s Most Iconic Literary Landmarks and Bookish Destinations

Written by Kaelie Piscitello

England has produced a large quantity of some of the world’s most talented writers over the years. From the Bronte Sisters to Austen to Tolkien, most bookish people have read and loved at least one book by a British writer. As a result, England has fascinating literary landmarks readers can travel to. 

In addition to the many literary sites, the country has an endless supply of bookstores and readers can choose from a selection crafted by independent business owners or scour the endless floors of Waterstones. When I lived there, I loved going to Waterstones and buying books.

Beyond the bookstores, I loved having afternoon tea in Bath with Jane Austen at Sally Lunn’s and wandering around the Bodleian Library in Oxford to taste the light academia aesthetic. I also appreciated the nods to C.S. Lewis. No matter where you go in England, you’ll always find a cozy place to curl up with a good book.

Oxford

I loved studying abroad in Oxford because of all the literature references around me. For one, Oxford has Harry Potter locations and references everywhere. The movies filmed several scenes around Oxford University, including the Divinity School, which offered a look into the scene where Harry and his friends practice dancing for the Yule Ball in the fourth movie. At New College, I saw the courtyard where Harry and Draco Malfoy once got into an argument. I also enjoyed touring Christ Church to see the grand staircase and the dining hall on J.K. Rowling Great Hall. 

Christ Church has many literature references for book lovers beyond Harry Potter because both C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll worked as professors there. I loved seeing the “Alice doorknob” that Lewis Carroll’s colleague’s daughter, Alice, used because she was too small to reach the regular-sized one. 

In addition to the Alice Door in Christ Church, Wonderland fans should stop in Alice’s Shop in the City Centre. I visited on my last day in Oxford, and the man running the shop seemed surprised I listed it on my places to see. I told him I couldn’t leave without an Alice magnet!

While Christ Church does not have much to see related to C.S. Lewis, I loved walking by the “Narnia Door” near the Radcliffe Camera, a part of the Bodleian Library and Oxford University.

This door paid homage to his beloved character Mr. Tumnus with two fauns carved into the wood frames. It also features Aslan, the lion, with a glorious centerpiece picture right in the middle of the door.

Nearby, The Eagle and Child, where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis often met for lunch to discuss their ideas, sits undisturbed along the Banbury Road. The Eagle and Child closed four years ago during the pandemic and has not reopened since, but many people hope it will reopen soon.

Bath

The birthplace of Jane Austen, or Bath, entices literary travelers with many opportunities to enjoy a day in an old, undisturbed city where people once sat in horse-drawn carriages, attended balls, and posed for stiff-looking portraits.

I spent a day in Bath and first walked to the Jane Austen Centre when I arrived. I loved looking at the manuscripts on display and learning more about where Austen drew inspiration from. While she didn’t live here, the museum has several Austen artifacts for the people to enjoy. When I went, a man dressed in traditional tails and a top hat greeted me at the door, and I snapped to a picture with him.

In Bath, I also recommend visiting Sally Lunn’s, a traditional bakery and bathhouse where visitors can sample traditional pies with clotted cream and jam. They had many other flavors too, but I decided to start with the original.

Don’t forget to visit the traditional Roman Baths to learn about ancient history. While this isn’t literary, I find most literature lovers also enjoy the historical scene, and everyone should do it. The tour can feel long, and many of the rooms look similar after a while. However, the main bathing space offers an interesting look into the ancient Roman empire.

London

Of course, no one can rule out London as a place of literary excellence. The city has everything from Shakespeare to Sherlock Holmes, and classic literature lovers will find their fill here.

For one, the city has a recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in the center of town. The Globe is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and it resembles the original place where Shakespeare wrote and produced many of his famous plays.

In addition to Shakespeare sites, Sherlock Holmes has a statue near an entire museum dedicated to him. The museum resembles Sherlock’s house, and visitors can experience what it is like to live as a detective for an afternoon.

Charles Dickens also has a museum in London, and fans of A Christmas Carol will love learning about how it originated. This museum was once Dickens’ home, and visiting it offers a glimpse into his lifestyle. The famous Camden Market and Abbey Road Studios (where The Beatles recorded) are also nearby.

Harry Potter fans will also love visiting London for a tour of the Warner Brothers studio set of the movies. They offer an experiential excursion where tourists can see relics and original props from the movie. Of course, every Potterhead must stop at King’s Cross Station to peruse the Harry Potter Shop and snap a picture next to Platform 9 and ¾.