The United Kingdom has produced some of the most fabulous writers of their time. From William Shakespeare to William Wordsworth, from the Bronte sisters to Virginia Woolf, all have their roots in the UK. It is said that the author lives on through their works.
But, UK has taken it a step further and preserved their houses, spaces of interest and more. Visitors today find themselves transported back to another era with most of the intricacies kept as is. Here’s a look at four literary museums that every bibliophile must visit when in the United Kingdom.
4 literary museums in the UK that every bibliophile should visit
While most of the places have a minimum entrance fees for their upkeep, some places can be accessed freely without any hassle. And the best part? They are purely experiential. In designated spaces you can actually sit down, take photographs, or even drink a cup of tea, feeling exactly the way the place used to be decades ago.
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights has been discovered time and again through ages, with its recent movie drawing eyeballs. Her sister Charlotte Bronte is also very well known for her novels Jane Eyre and Shirley. But do you know that Charlotte Bronte also has a biography, The Life of Charlotte Bronte written by Elizabeth Gaskell? Gaskell lived in 84 Plymouth Grove, which is today a museum. If you are lucky, then your tour starts with the caretakers asking you to ring the bell. The same bell which was once rung by the likes of Bronte and others, making you step into their shoes. Upon entering you will be able to see the parlour where most of her works like Cranford, North and South and Wives and Daughters germinated. Upstairs is the bedroom which houses letters written to her in the original handwriting of Charles Dickens. A quaint tea shop attached to the house-museum also allows you to taste some of the delicacies from her era, with mandatory tea.
How to reach: 11 minutes by bus from Manchester City Centre
Entry Fees: 9 pounds (standard). Rates may differ for children and larger groups
Open: Wednesday / Thursday / Sunday
Timings: 11 am – 3 pm
If you are visiting Lake District and done with the quintessential sailing then keep the Beatrix Potter Museum on your wish list. Potter was the creator of the much-loved children’s stories about Peter Rabbit and a host of other animal characters, stemming from the farm where she lived in. For those unaware of Peter Rabbit, look up the cute yet naughty grey rabbit with a trademark blue coat and long ears. He was known to get into mischief and trouble quite often, which formed the basis of the stories and adventures that hooked children and adults alike during their bedtime readings. Potter is known for books like The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck and more. In fact, long before stuff toys were a norm, Peter Rabbit got its first patented stuffed toy in 1903, which makes him the oldest fictional character to have merchandise after him. The home- museum, itself is nestled between lanes covered with rows of flora and fauna, not far away from the lake itself. Each of the rooms has audio-visual displays on screens and character sculptures which make one tickle their grey cells to find out which book illustration it is from. A merchandise shop within the premise offers key-chains, soft toys, magnets, books, and much more, that you can take home with you.
How to reach: 4 minutes walking from Windermere Railway Station in Lake District
Entry Fees: 12.60 pounds (standard). Rates may differ for children and larger groups
Open: Everyday
Timings: 10 am – 4:30 pm
While not a concrete museum or house, per say, Llandudno gives you signs of its literary connect the moment you step out of the train and on to the platform. This coastal town in Wales is easily accessible, and beyond its picturesque piers, and pastel coloured-roof buildings, is considered as the birthplace of the famous Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. You can explore the whole place on your own and follow the 34-sites Alice in Wonderland Trail starting from the train station itself where you are greeted by Alice, the mad hatter and the rabbit. From sculptures in bronze to sites high up in the hills (accessible by tram cars) where Carroll is said to have written portions of the story, this place will make you step into the shoes of Alice, having an adventure in modern times. Most of these places are open air sites and do not need any entry fees. Only the tram car requires a minimum transport fee, but the ride is worth it. With bits and pieces strewn all across the town, the entire place becomes a spot of living history, a museum trail, where every corner, every hotel brick and every pier side tells the story of how Alice in Wonderland came about,
How to reach: direct train from Cardiff to Llandudno
Everyone is familiar with William Shakespeare and his birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon. But do you know that all his properties in this lovely town are museums, each having its own story. Shakespeare’s birthplace, Shakespeare’s New Place, Hall’s Croft Hall (his son-in-law’s place), Holy Trinity Church (graves), and Anne Hathaway’s cottage (no not the actor but his wife) are must-visit places. Stratford-upon-Avon is a perfect place for a day out. In case you have time in your hands, then an overnight stay will allow you to cover places of interest other than those linked with Shakespeare, such as the Tudor Museum or Butterfly Farm. You can also check the theatre timings and catch a play at the theatre. Otherwise, people dressed up his characters are often seen enacting scenes in these museums. It is not unusual for you to see a Julius Caesar standing and obliging to selfies or a Macbeth taking a casual stroll around the gardens.
How to reach: Connected to all major cities in the UK via train and bus routes
Entry Fee: Each place has different entry fee or you can opt for a clubbed entry card for two or more places.