Third March is World Book Day and to celebrate we’ve compiled a list of the best travel and hotel experiences in the UK for book lovers.
Malavika Kumar said that the UK has produced some of the “most celebrated literary figures throughout history” and has long been “one of the top literary destinations in the world”. William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle and Jane Austen are just a few of the literary giants who have entertained generations of readers.
From the Harry Potter 9¾ platform at King’s Cross station to hotels with libraries, these are the places to mark for your next literary journey.
Harry Potter’s Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross StationOne of the UK’s most popular literary destinations is Harry Potter’s Platform 9¾ at London’s King’s Cross station, Kumar said. However, platform 9¾ marks the “secret platform of the Hogwarts Express” and is not located between platforms nine and ten, but in the west departures hall. “A luggage cart, complete with a suitcase and a cage full of owls, protrudes from the wall as fans line up for the perfect photo.”
Edinburgh: a city of literatureIn 2004, Edinburgh was named the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature. The Scottish capital is the birthplace and homeland of world-renowned novelists, poets and playwrights, Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus), Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting) and Val McDermid (Kate Brannigan).
Edinburgh has over 50 bookshops and the National Library of Scotland is home to over 24 million printed matter. Literature lovers should also visit the Scottish Poetry Library and the Scottish Center for Storytelling.
‘Explore & Snore’ package in the birthplace of ShakespeareStratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, is rich in culture and history and celebrates the great playwright. Visitors can catch a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or explore Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall.
Boutique Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon has partnered with Shakespeare’s England to offer an ‘Explore & Snore’ package which includes a one or two night stay and access to all the attractions of the historic market town via the ‘Explorer Pass’.
This handy ticket lets visitors experience the unspoilt beauty, ancient castles and legendary stories that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer and includes entry to 17 Warwickshire attractions. Attractions include the five Shakespeare family homes: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Shakespeare’s New Place, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. Prices start from £195 based on two people sharing bed and breakfast.
Penzance and The Edge of the World BookshopThe Cornish port of Penzance is steeped in literary history, with many famous people having strong roots there. Maria Branwell, mother of the famous Brontë sisters, was born in Penzance in 1783 before moving to Yorkshire, while the famous poet Alfred Tennyson vacationed in Penzance before sailing to the Isles of Scilly with fellow writer Francis Turner Palgrave. Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas was also familiar with the Cornish town and married Caitlin Macnamara at the Penzance Registry Office in 1937.
An ideal destination for book lovers and home to an annual literary festival, Penzance continues to attract bibliophiles from Cornwall and beyond. The aptly named Edge of the World bookshop is Penzance’s first independent bookshop, offering a selection of classic, whimsical and local Cornish titles of all genres.
The British LibraryDo a quick Google search and you’ll find page after page of London’s literary attractions and tours. However, when deciding on a place to visit, take the time to visit the British Library at St Pancras.
The UK National Library houses more than 170 million collectibles, from Magna Carta and Jane Austen notebooks to handwritten lyrics by the Beatles. Treasures of the British Library is free to visitors and tells remarkable stories spanning more than 2,000 years of human experience. There are also a number of free and paid events and exhibitions for visitors.
Gladstone’s LibraryThe only ‘living library’ in the UK, the Gladstone Library comprises 26 rooms, an on-site restaurant, reading rooms, a lounge and a collection of over 150,000 objects. Daniella Saunders in Country & Town House said It’s a “bibliophile’s dream” and a great place for those who don’t want to leave the library after the lights go out. All rooms have a private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer and a radio. However, there are no televisions in the rooms to maintain the spirit of study and reflection.
Literary inspired weekends in EnglandAccording to the VisitEngland tourist board, England’s literary landscapes and places are as diverse as the writers who produced them. From organized hiking trails to self-guided literary tours, opportunities for inspiration exist across the country.
Enjoy splendiferous fun at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps in Bath, discover Charles Dickens’s Broadstairs in Kent, or explore the beautiful house and surroundings that inspired Bronte to write classic novels.
Hotels with libraries
Red Online asks iIs there “anything better than getting away with a good book? Perhaps a thing to escape from a hotel with a library.
One of the best places for “retreat-seeking book lovers” is the Library Suite at the five-star Connaught Hotel in London. Designed by architect Michael Blair, the suite is on two levels and features a master bedroom, a second bedroom, a sitting area, and shelves filled with a variety of books. It’s “pure luck”.
The Standard Hotel in London, which once housed the Camden Town Hall library, has its own library lounge and resident librarian, Country & Town House said. “This is no ordinary hotel library, the titles have been grouped into a series of alternative and whimsical categories.”
If you like to read a book over a drink, visit the Library Bar at Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester. “Composed of comfy mismatched chairs, an antique piano, and of course plenty of books, this cozy library lends itself to the traditional charm of a 16th-century home.”
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