Literary England - Susannah's Top Ten Places to Visit
A video talk
In 2003 I took my first tour group to England, and it was so exciting seeing beloved places through their eyes. I have taken tours to many other countries, but it is my English tours that are always the most popular. That means that there are some literary sites which I have visited more than a dozen times – and I have never felt sick of them. I thought about the places I’d choose if I was asked to create the ultimate fantasy trip of English literary must-see locations. Which places would I recommend to my best friend to visit?
So, after much deliberation, I now give you my Top Ten Literary Locations in England.
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I first went to England in 1980, with a long list of places I just had to see. All the places had literary associations – I had to see the homes of favourite novelists and poets, walk the paths they had trodden, pay my respects at their graves, and see with my own eyes the landscapes that had filled my imagination since I had learned to read.
I worked my way through that list, but forty years later I still have a list of yet more places I must one day visit. England is so rich in literary connections that it would be hard to find a village or city that does not have some fascinating association with an author.
“I said I’d go looking for the England of English Literature, and he nodded and said: ‘It’s there’.”
― Helene Hanff, American writer
Of course, those of you who know me well will be easily able to guess my number 1 choice. In fact, it would have been very easy for me to choose all my Top Ten from Jane Austen-related sites alone, but I have restrained that urge and spread my choice more widely.
You will find in this talk a variety of authors and a variety of place too, from a library, to houses large and small, churches, a graveyard and an ancient charitable institution. I will take you from the gentle countryside of southern England, up to the more dramatic northern landscapes.
Not everyone is able to come on one of my literary tours, and I hope that this virtual travel will enchant and intrigue you. If you are planning a trip to England, hopefully I will have given you ideas of places to include in your itinerary. If you have visited them in the past, I hope I bring back wonderful memories.
Just $15, purchase access here.My choice is, of course, a deeply personal one. These are sites that resonate with me, which move me deeply because of what they are in themselves and because of the great writer who worked there. You will have your own choice of favourite literary locations, you may query my selection. Believe me when I say that choosing only ten was an incredibly difficult task, and putting them in order of no. 10 up to no.1 was even more challenging.
What I hope this virtual talk will make you do is to consider which Top Ten places you would choose, and to consider with a deeper appreciation of the incredible riches of the England of English Literature.
This Video Talk is a real video treat! In it, I count down through my 10 most favourite literary locations in England. You’ll have more than 1 hour of gorgeous armchair travel through this beautiful, historic country. This talk is illustrated with photographs, paintings, scenes from different film versions and book covers – you’ll have plenty to look at while you listen.
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What sort of literary places most excite you? Is it seeing a desk on which masterpieces were written, or standing in the spot where a favourite scene from a novel was filmed? Do you like to visit the graves of authors, or is it libraries and all the treasures they contain which really thrill you? I have carried certain books with me on my travels so that I could sit in exactly the right location and read a scene set there – have you done the same? Do you prefer to see special literary places on your own so that, undisturbed, you can wander, look and ponder, or would you rather travel with like-minded companions so that you can all share the excitement together? Let’s discuss it here.
I’d love to know about your favourite literary places in England. Join me in exploring “This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
Here is where to buy the book in print, ebook or audio. Find the books on my recommended reading list, watch a movie version, enjoy related videos, websites and much more. Have anything to add here? Let me know.
I’d love to know about your favourite literary places in England. Let’s discuss it here.
Gaby Meares
I’ve just finished your wonderful virtual tour of your favourite 10 literary destinations in England. It was wonderful, but made me sad. Who knows when we’ll be able to go back. I have a list as long as my arm of places to visit when we can finally fly again.
One of my favourite literary destinations was visiting Hill Top. It was wonderful to see so many scenes from Beatrix Potter’s books for real! Another was Oxford. Having worked in libraries all my life, visiting the Bodleian Library in 2017 was a high point in my life! And having a pint in The Eagle and Child, sitting where the Inklings met and discussed their books.
Thank you for your enthusiasm – it’s a wonderful distraction from the pandemic, and very much appreciated ❤️
Susannah Fullerton
Thanks for your lovely comments, Gaby. I am delighted you enjoyed virtual travels around literary England with me. Yes, I share your sadness. I should have been there earlier this year and wonder when we might be able to travel to the UK again. My Top Ten places in Literary France talk will be ready by the 1st of Sept, so do hope you enjoy that one too.
Suzanne Greta
When visiting London in the early 80’s I discovered a bookstore that sold “84 Charing Cross Road “which I had read and thoroughly enjoyed.
Then I discovered two more books by Helene Hanff which I purchased as a gift for my mother. They are “The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street”,
a sequel to “84 Charing Cross Road “and “Q’s Legacy”, the wonderful journey to 84, Charing Cross Road. They are delightful stories and are now a part of my library collection..
Susannah Fullerton
I’ve read and enjoyed The Duchess of Bloomsbury St (though didn’t think it was as good as 84 Ch. Cross Rd) but I didn’t know about Q’s Legacy – definitely one to get hold ot. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Anne Makepeace
I’ve just finished watching your 10 Top Literary Places in England, Susannah, and loved it. Seeing as we can’t actually travel at the moment, armchair travelling is the next best thing. It was fun guessing what you would choose as the numbers went down – some were expected, others were surprises. I’ve visited six out of your ten places, so it brought back pleasant memories as well as giving ideas for future travels. When I was in the UK last year, I sought out many Jane Austen places. As well as the predictable ones, I tried to find some of the more obscure ones – the Jane Austen statue in Basingstoke, Stoneleigh Abbey (and its infamous bridge), Lizzie’s Rock in the Peak District (as described in Amanda’s quest), the plaque on Henry’s bank in Henrietta St, Covent Garden. I think the place where I got the biggest buzz, was staying the night in the Teigh Old Rectory near Oakham, which was used as Hunsford Parsonage in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice. It’s a lovely old building and its gardens and nearby church are delightful. Victoria, our B&B host looked after us very well. But, of course, the highlight was sleeping in Lizzie’s bedroom (with the cupboard with Mr Collins’ drawers) and sitting in the parlour where Mr Darcy made his first disastrous proposal. I sat and read the proposal scene and was in seventh heaven! Just as good as floating down the Gravel Walk in Bath or walking along The Cobb in Lyme Regis. I’d rate those as my three favourite literary places in England. Thanks for keeping us so well entertained in these challenging times.
Susannah Fullerton
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed it so much, Anne. Yes, armchair travel is all we can do at the moment, but I’m glad I have given you ideas for future trips. Oh I am envious of your night in Hunsford parsonage – all the other places, I’ve done, but not that one. Of course I would normally have had all top ten places Jane Austen-related, but thought I’d better make it of more general interest, so have to squeeze quite a few places into my No. 1, and the odd added reference here and there to JA. I always think of you when I visit the Gravel Walk!