The Guardian recently asked readers to post their favorite literary destinations. Several readers sent in photos of places where authors lived or novels took place. The collection ranges from the setting of a Virginia Woolf novel to the walk John Keats took in his ode To Autumn.
From the Guardian:
Keats walk, Winchester
The walk John Keats took when he was inspired to write his ode To Autumn. What better time than now to follow the route Keats took one autumn Sunday in 1819? You start out in the High Street where he lodged, and end up at the Hospital of St Cross which still doles out alms to the needy. It not only takes in many of Winchester’s places of interest – the Cathedral (burial place of Jane Austen), Wolvesey Palace, and Winchester College.Godrevy Lighthouse, St Ives
Though Virginia Woolf set her 1927 novel To the Lighthouse in the Hebrides, it was inspired by childhood holidays at St Ives in Cornwall – pure white sand, hidden rock pools, a wooden cafe serving hot chocolate, and that enchanting view out to Godrevy Lighthouse.Top Withens farmhouse, Haworth
The ruin of Top Withens farmhouse is the perfect place to experience the Brontës’ fictional world. Purported to be the location that Emily had in mind when she wrote Wuthering Heights, the farmhouse is reached by a well-signposted walk across the moors from Haworth. It’s far removed from the touristy tea shops down in the village, and the isolation of this windswept ruin gives you a true sense of what the world of Cathy Earnshaw or Jane Eyre must have been like.
To see all the literary destinations listed check out the Guardian.
I know, personally, living in New England there is a lot literary history here. Mark Twain House, Walden Pond and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of the Seven Gables are all required field trips for school. I always love exploring places where a book was set. There is something magical about seeing the setting of a book come to life whether you are visiting The Strand after reading Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares or visiting Forks after reading Twilight. Today’s literature uses real life places even when creating fantastical worlds. Currently the place I am dying to travel to is Prague. After reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone I am completely fascinated by Prague and its old world feel.
Tell us what literary places have you visited or wish to visit?
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