The United Kingdom holds a treasure trove of literary gems, from amazing libraries and bookstores to famous literary sites, and a road trip is the perfect way to see them all.
Baker Street, London
What better way to start off a literary journey than with a place dedicated to one of the most legendary figures in all fiction, Sherlock Holmes himself? After hopping off London’s metro (known locally as the “tube”) at Baker Street Station, take some pics with a statue of the famous detective or visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
If you don’t mind taking a detour, there’s even a pub with a Sherlock Holmes theme. It’s a 12-minute drive away near the Great Scotland Yard, and is a nice way to wrap up a mystery lover’s evening.
Address: Baker St, London, UK
Attractions:
Sherlock Holmes Museum
- 221B Baker St, London, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 9:30AM – 6PM
Sherlock Statue
- 4 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LD, United Kingdom
- Visit whenever
Sherlock Holmes Pub
- 10 Northumberland St, London WC2N 5DB, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 11PM
- Open Sunday: 11AM – 10:30PM
Winchester
Fans of Jane Austen will definitely want to stop by Winchester Cathedral, which displays a plaque dedicated to the famous author buried there. P & G Wells is also notable, both for being one of the oldest bookshops in Britain and having a section dedicated to Austen. Next, stroll along Jane Austen’s Winchester Trail, a self-guided walking tour of the city of places the author visited in her final years.
A 30-minute drive from Winchester will take you to Chawton, where you can find Jane Austen’s House. This, as the name implies, was the very house that Austen lived in while revising and publishing six of her most famous novels, including Pride and Prejudice and Emma.
Address: Winchester, UK
Attractions:
Winchester Cathedral
- 9 The Cl, Winchester, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
- Open Sunday: 12:30PM – 3PM
P & G Wells Bookstore
- 11 College St, Kingsgate St, Winchester, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 9AM -5:30PM
- Open Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
Jane Austen’s House
- Winchester Rd, Chawton, Alton, United Kingdom
- Typically open 10AM – 5PM
Torquay
Best known as the birthplace of Agatha Christie, the famous mystery novelist, Torquay is packed with sites and activities sure to tickle any fan’s fancy. Most notable is the Agatha Christie Mile, which is a walking trail marked by plaques with the author’s portrait. The Mile follows loads of places the author visited, some of which she included in her novels, like the Imperial Hotel.
The Torquay Museum also has an exhibition dedicated to Christie, and the town even hosts an annual Agatha Christie Festival. This year, it will be on September 13-21, 2025.
Address: Torquay, United Kingdom
Attractions:
The Torquay Museum
- Museum, 529 Babbacombe Rd, Torquay, United Kingdom
- Open Wednesday to Sunday: 10AM – 4:45PM
- Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Agatha Christie Bust
- Palk St, Torquay, United Kingdom
- Visit whenever
Torre Abbey
- The King’s Dr, Torquay TQ2 5JE, United Kingdom
- Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
- Monday: Closed
Burgh Island
Keep on strong with the Agatha Christie spirit by moseying on over to Burgh Island, the setting that inspired one of her most famous novels, And Then There Were None.
One of the biggest highlights of the island is the Burgh Island Hotel, particularly the hotel’s Murder Mystery events. The hotel even has a room named after the famous author, as she spent much time writing in Burgh Island and strolling along its coast.
Address: Burgh Island, Kingsbridge TQ7 4BG, UK
Attractions:
Burgh Island Hotel
- Bigbury-on-Sea, Kingsbridge, United Kingdom
- Check-in: 3:30PM
- Check-out: 11AM
The Pilchard Inn
- Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea, Kingsbridge, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 10PM
Bigbury Beach
- Bigbury-on-Sea, Kingsbridge, United Kingdom
- Visit whenever
Hay-on-Wye
While the previous stops on this list have focused on specific authors or literary figures, Hay-on-Wye is about all books: a dedicated book town with over 20 independent bookshops, including the famed Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Addyman Books, and the open-air Honesty Bookshop at Hay Castle.
Its annual Hay Festival is so popular that it has spawned literary festivals in other parts of the world, with authors and speakers coming together to discuss everything from books to current events.
Address: Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, UK
Attractions:
Richard Booth's Bookshop
- 44 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 5:30PM
- Open Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
Addyman Books
- 39 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
Hay Castle
- Oxford Rd, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
Stratford-upon-Avon
As possibly the most influential figure in English-language literature and theater, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a visit to the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon.
There are honestly too many must-sees to list here, but if you’re pressed for time, be sure to at least check out Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Address: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
Attractions:
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
- Henley St, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 4:30PM
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
- 22 Cottage Ln, Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
- Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
- Opening hours depend upon performances
Haworth
Haworth is best known as the home of the Brontë sisters. Tour the Brontë Parsonage Museum, which houses the world’s largest Brontë collection, then head into the countryside to enjoy the Brontë Waterfall across the moors that inspired their novels.
Also worth noting this city’s Main Street is lined with some amazing bookstores and gift shops, like Wave of Nostalgia and OH La La, The Original Bronte Stationery Store.
Address: Haworth, Keighley, UK
Attractions:
Brontë Parsonage Museum
- Church St, Haworth, Haworth, Keighley, United Kingdom
- Open Wednesday to Monday: 10AM – 5PM
- Tuesday: Closed
Brontë Waterfall & Bridge
- Haworth Moor, Haworth, Keighley, United Kingdom
- Visit whenever
OH La La, The Original Bronte Stationery Store
- 38 Main St, Haworth, Keighley, United Kingdom
- Open Wednesday to Friday: 11AM – 4PM
- Open Saturday & Sunday: 11AM – 5PM
- Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Bowness-on-Windermere
If you were ever curious about the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s world of Peter Rabbit, be sure to add Bowness-on-Windermere to your road trip itinerary. Not only does the area have an abundance of gorgeous greenery and scenic views, but there are quite a few sites any bibliophile will enjoy.
Aside from the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, the author’s house, known as Hill Top, is a half-hour’s drive away.
Address: Bowness-on-Windermere, UK
Attractions:
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
- Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5:30PM
Hill Top Beatrix Potter House
- Near Sawrey, Ambleside, United Kingdom
- Open Saturday to Thursday: 10AM – 5PM
- Tuesday: Closed
Peter Rabbit and Friends Bowness on Windermere
- Unit 1, Old Midland Bank, 45 St Martin’s Pl, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 9:30AM – 5:30PM
Grasmere
Just a touch north of Windermere is Grasmere, best known for its connections to William Wordsworth, a poet from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Tickets for Dove Cottage, dedicated to Wordsworth’s legacy as a poet and writer, cost £16 (US$21.50) per adult and include access to the cottage, a museum, and the surrounding gardens and orchards. It also features a cute little café.
You can also pop by Sam Read Bookseller, the oldest independent bookshop in the Lake District since 1887, and a local favorite.
Address: Grasmere, Ambleside, UK
Attractions:
Dove Cottage
- Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday 10AM – 5PM
- Note: café closes at 4PM, with last orders a 3:30PM
Sam Read Bookseller
- Broadgate House, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9SY, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 1PM & 1:30PM – 5PM
St. Oswald’s Church (Wordsworth’s grave)
- Church Stile, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9SW, United Kingdom
- Visit whenever
Wigtown
Also known as Scotland’s National Book Town, Wigtown is a paradise for book lovers with around 17 independent bookshops in a small area, offering a vast variety of new, secondhand, antiquarian, and special interest books.
The largest bookshop, The Book Shop, boasts over a mile of shelving and approximately 100,000 books. The town also hosts a major literary festival in autumn, making it a great place to soak up Scotland’s literary culture.
Address: Wigtown, Newton Stewart, UK
Attractions:
The Book Shop
- 17 N Main St, Wigtown, Newton Stewart, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
- Sunday: Closed
Well-Read Books of Wigtown
- 1-3 Agnew Cres, Wigtown, Newton Stewart, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
- Open Sunday: 11AM – 3PM
Books and Bakes
- 6 Bank St, Wigtown, Newton Stewart, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
- Open Sunday: 9:30AM – 1:30PM
Edinburgh
Aside from being a bibliophile’s paradise in general (acknowledged by UNESCO’s City of Literature title), Edinburgh has some very notable landmarks for Harry Potter fans. J.K. Rowling wrote the first chapters of the series at one of the city’s writing cafés, and fans speculate she drew inspiration for Diagon Alley from Edinburgh’s very own Victoria Street.
Even if Harry Potter isn’t your thing, there are loads of amazing bookstores worth checking out. Also, if you’re in the area, don’t miss the Edinburgh International Book Festival, which is currently ongoing from August 9th until the 24th, 2025.
Address: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Attractions:
The Elephant House
- 21 Victoria St, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Museum Context
- 40 Victoria St, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Open Sunday to Thursday: 10AM – 6PM
- Open Friday & Saturday: 9:30AM – 7PM
Armchair Books
- 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Open Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 6:30PM
