English Literature Tour
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Cruise on Lake Windermere, Lake District © Photo courtesy of Winander Leisure
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Dove Cottage, The Lake District, Cumbria
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Discover England through the words of some of the world’s greatest writers. Explore the places behind the pages and the lives that inspired characters who’s stories have survived the centuries on this incredible English Literature Tour.
Britain arguably has more famous writers than any other country, their works spanning every period of history. They have written some of the most recognised lines and dreamt up characters whose fame goes beyond the novels. From Shakespeare’s beautiful sonnets and Dickens’ urban underworlds to the polite society of Jane Austen and fantasy worlds of the Brontë sisters, join us on this fascinating and educational tour and experience the world (and words) of some of the greatest names in English literature.
Tour Highlights Include:
Windermere Cruise: Take in the incredible Lake District scenery as you cruise along England’s largest natural lake by boat.
Dove Cottage: The former home of William Wordsworth and his family, the place he wrote some of his most famous work and he dubbed: “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”
Hill Top: The idyllic former home of Beatrix Potter remains as Beatrix once knew it. Filled with her favourite things it appears as if she could have simply just popped out for a walk.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace: Explore the birthplace and former home of one of the world’s most famous writers – William Shakespeare. See where he grew up and gained inspiration for stories that are still told nearly 500 years later.
The Parsonage at Howarth: Maintained by the Brontë Society and containing the world’s most comprehensive collection of Brontë materials. The home of the sisters is impeccably preserved allowing you to wander the rooms and explore the lives of Emily, Charlotte and Anne.
Christchurch College: Steeped in English Literature history and magic, Christchurch holds connections with remarkable characters – from Alice in Wonderland to Harry Potter. Explore the who inspired Alice and explore the cloisters and halls used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.
Bath: Once the home of Jane Austen and the only UK city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find Bath it is steeped in culture, history, incredibly preserved Roman sites and stories of every kind.
Charles Dickens’s London: Follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest literary minds of all time. Discover his home and what influenced characters such as Oliver and Scrooge. Delve into the stories so powerful and loved they are still told centuries later.
Explore more of England with our range of Incoming Tours:
Dates
2024 & 2025 dates available on request
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Welcome England
Arrive at Manchester Airport where you will meet your tour manager who will stay with you throughout the tour. Your private transfer will take you to the Lake District where your English Literature Tour will begin. The Lake District is England’s largest National Park and now a World Heritage Site. It’s beautiful, natural landscapes, majestic mountains, rolling river valleys and idyllic villages were a big inspiration for William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
Take in the breathtaking scenery by boat while enjoying a cruise across Lake Windermere; England’s largest natural lake.
The rest of the day is free to rest and relax before enjoying dinner at a local, traditional, English pub.
Overnight in Lake District.
Day 2
William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter in the Lake District
Today you will visit the former home of William Wordsworth – Dove Cottage; “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.” In 1799 Wordsworth and his sister decided to return to their native Lake District and make Dove Cottage their home. It is here William wrote some of the most famous poetry in the English language. This beautiful ivy-covered house is where he put pen to paper, wrote masterpieces and raised his family. The hundreds of daffodils were planted by William as a memorial site for his daughter.
Next, continue on to Hawkshead; a quaint, medieval village. Here you will find Wordsworth’s Grammar School (the ground floor classroom retains many old desks covered in carvings done by the boys – including William Wordsworth) and the Beatrix Potter Gallery.
Your last stop will be nearby Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s quaint, rural farmhouse. The house is filled with the writer’s original furnishings and is a fantastic time capsule of her life.
Overnight in Lake District.
Day 3
The Brontë sisters and Haworth
After a delicious English breakfast travel to Hawarth; home of the Brontë sisters – Charlotte, Emily and Anne. It is in the Parsonage the inspirational sisters penned their classics Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. You will explore their former home where many of the girls’ pictures, manuscripts and personal treasures remain on display.
After an independent lunch in the village, travel to Stratford-upon-Avon. The evening is at your leisure.
Overnight in Stratford-upon Avon.
Day 4
William Shakespeare’s Stratford
Take a step back in time to Elizabethan England and explore the hometown of ‘The Bard’. Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare and visit his birth place. The half-timbered house is where the famous writer was born and grew up. Captivating costumed guides will show you around the house he spent his childhood years and tell you tales of its colourful history.
Next visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage; a picturesque farmhouse surrounded by beautiful gardens, where Shakespeare’s future wife spent her childhood.
In the evening choose between watching a show at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or enjoying some free time in this literary paradise.
Overnight in Stratford-upon Avon.
Day 5
Lewis Carroll, C S Lewis and Oxford
After breakfast at your hotel you will head to Oxford to explore the “City of Dreaming Spires.” You will discover the magic behind the stories of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland at Christchurch College. Lewis was inspired to write about Alice after meeting the 10 year old daughter of the Dean here while much of the college was used as filming locations for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. Lunch will be served at the Eagle and Child, this 17th century traditional pub is steeped in history and is where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met and dubbed themselves ‘The Inklings.’
You will then continue onto Bath area for an overnight stay.
Day 6
Jane Austen and Bath
After breakfast you will start your day with a guided walking tour and explore this beautiful city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit the Jane Austen Centre which tells the story of Austen’s time in Bath. Discover how living here influenced her and her writing. Enjoy an afternoon tea at the Regency Tea Room and continue to the Roman Baths; one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. Explore the ruins of the temple of Minerva, visit the Bath House and walk where the Romans walked nearly 2,000 years ago.
You will then travel to London and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in London.
Day 7
Charles Dickens and London
After an English breakfast at your hotel follow Charles Dickens through London as he embarks upon his rags to riches journey; from a unknown debtor’s son to the most famous Englishman alive.
Visit the Charles Dickens Museum (once his house) in Bloomsbury,the Olde Curiosity Shop and discover the locations that inspired him, his stories and the characters still with us centuries later.
The rest of the evening is free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in London.
Day 8
Exploring London
After breakfast explore London where royal tradition, rich history and great stories greet you at every turn. Witness the ceremonial Changing of the Guard. Visit Westminster Abbey; the final resting place of many literary geniuses such as Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens and Rudjard Kipling. Explore the Tower of London; steeped in over 950 years of gruesome history. The Tower has an infamous reputation for torture and turmoil. Discover not only its gruesome past but tales of luxury, banquets, daring escapes and jewels.
The rest of the evening is free to spend at your leisure and enjoy your final night in England.
Day 9
Home Time
After breakfast your private transfer will take you to Heathrow Airport to begin your journey home.
This tour is suitable for groups of minimum 15 persons.
For smaller groups and individuals a revised version of this tour may be possible.
All prices shown are per person, and based on a group of 15 people sharing twin or double rooms.
Rooms for single occupancy are available and a supplement will apply – please contact us for details.
Rates are Nett and non commissionable and are available to Travel Trade only – Public rates are available on request