Highclere Castle, the main filming location for Downton Abbey.

Literature, film and TV

Many of our famous writers have been inspired by the drama of the landscape. Wordsworth loved the light on a Cumbrian lake. The wildness of the Yorkshire Moors compelled Emily Bronte to write Wuthering Heights. The misty marshlands of Kent feature in many of Charles Dickens’ novels, and the rural idylls of Dorset were beloved by Thomas Hardy. But if writing a great English novel is not on your agenda, visit one of the many stately homes which are regularly used for film locations and TV locations. Make your own costume drama at houses like Highclere Castle, the setting of the fictional Downton Abbey.

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Visit Derby's three National Trust treasures

Derby has a trio of National Trust treasures all within a 10 mile radius, so use the city as your base to explore Calke, Sudbury and Kedleston.

Location: Derby, Derbyshire

 

Explore the ruins of Ashby Castle

Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel of 1819, Ivanhoe featured Ashby Castle as the backdrop to the famous jousting scenes.

Location: Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire

 

Visit the home of the Dymock Poets in the Forest of Dean

In the quiet village of Dymock, literacy history was being made by six of the finest poets of the early 20th century.

Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

 

Be inspired by the grand Malvern Hills

Enjoy great views on top of the Worcestershire Beacon and follow in the footsteps of writers and composers including Sir Edward Elgar and C.S Lewis.

Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

 

Ride the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

This exciting heritage steam railway runs through the picturesque Yorkshire countryside where the classic movie The Railway Children was filmed.

Location: Keighley, West Yorkshire

 

Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen

Explore the city that inspired one of England’s most famous novel writers.

Location: Bath, Somerset

 

Discover Charles Dickens’ Broadstairs

Go to the quaint part of Kent that was inspiration to novelist Charles Dickens and drew him to return time and time again.

Location: Broadstairs, Kent

 

Take a tour round Stokesay Court

Stokesay Court was the setting for the mansions scenes in the film version of Ian McEwan's best selling novel, “Atonement”.

Location: Craven Arms, Shropshire

 

Visit Shrewsbury Abbey, fictional home of Brother Cadfael

Visit Shrewsbury Abbey and follow in the footsteps of Cadfael, the monastic sleuth, where the books and TV series were set.

Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire

 

Step back in time and live like Wordsworth in Cumbria

A visit to Wordsworth House and Garden is a unique opportunity to experience late 18th-century life at first hand.

Location: Cockermouth, Cumbria

 

Take in 'Swallows and Amazons' landscapes on a relaxing cruise

Take a trip around the landscape used in the film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ and discover what inspired Arthur Ransome to write his famous book.

Location: Derwentwater, Cumbria

 

Go Walrus hunting at Sunderland Museum

Discover the inspirational statue behind the Lewis Carroll poem Walrus and the Carpenter.

Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

 

Experience the locations that have inspired great literature

The constantly changing scenery, dramatic landscapes and distinctive character of Yorkshire’s people have all been sources of literary inspiration.

Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire

 

Discover DH Lawrence country

Discover DH Lawrence country on the edge of Nottingham and follow in the footsteps of the county's most controversial literary hero.

Location: Eastwood, Nottinghamshire

 

Find Byron's Nottinghamshire on the Byron Trail

Lord Byron was famous during his lifetime as a figure who could inspire love, romance, political change and liberation through his powerful works.

Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

 

Lose yourself in Neverland at Nottingham Arboretum

The Arboretum just outside Nottingham’s city centre is said to be the inspiration behind J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s tale ‘Peter Pan’.

Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

 

Discover the real Downton Abbey

Re-enact your favourite scenes from the much-loved period drama at Highclere Castle before retiring to London Lodge, a Georgian Grade II-listed gatehouse on-site.

Location: Highclere, Hampshire

 

Discover Laurie Lee Country

Take inspiration from the BBC adaptation of the classic novel ‘Cider with Rosie’ and follow in the footsteps of author Laurie Lee through the Slad Valley.

Location: Slad village near Stroud, Gloucestershire

 

Find romance in the depths of Thomas Hardy Country

Enjoy woodland walks and cosy inns, and immerse yourself in the romantic landscape that this renowned writer called home.

Location: Dorset

 

September events: Live the sense and sensibilities of Jane Austen’s Bath

Step into a Georgian world and explore the City of Bath that inspired one of England’s most famous writers.

Location: Bath, Somerset

 

November events: Join the highbrow chit-chat at Chester Literature Festival

There’s no shortage of wordy stimulation and novel debate for book worms at the Chester Literature Festival.

Location: Chester, Cheshire

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