Perhaps are there only a few countries that can lay claim to as many fine and recognised writers that England has churned out over the years. It has been home to some of the greatest scribes that ever existed. While you are on a trip to the city keep an eye out for the little blue plaques that mark the places of significance, where famous names both literary as well as other once lived and worked. From museums to libraries there are some great spots that are a must see, for literature lovers to visit whilst in the city.
And to ensure you make the most of your trip choose a hotel that offers a central locations to the best attractions and other areas of tourist interest. Staying at any Hyde Park boutique hotel would be the best option both in terms of facilities and cost.
And one of the best hotels in the area is The Metropolis London Hyde Park Hotel that is smack-bang in the city centre close to the major tourist haunts in the city. And it also offers easy access to the many literary locations that you must visit (if you are a literary buff) while in London. These include the following:
The British Library:
Perhaps there is no place more befitting to begin a literary tour than at a library! The British Library is a treasure trove for literature aficionados and was formerly a part of the British Museum. It only shifted to its present location at Euston Road in 1998. Spread over 1.2 million square feet of space it is out the biggest libraries on the planet. It has a massive inventory of more than 150 million items with rare antiquities like manuscripts, which are more than four millennia in existence. It is the second largest library after the Library of Congress. While there make sure to drop in at the Sir John Ritblat Gallery, that lies to the right of the main entrance. It has an impressive archival collection that is unrivalled in the world. These include a Gutenberg Bible, original copies of the Canterbury Tales, Beowulf, Shakespeare’s First folio, the Magna Carta and Jane Austen along with select volumes works ranging from Jane Eyre to the Beatles.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum:
If you are a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous fictional character, Sherlock Holmes this is the place to visit. Although it is located technically between 237 and 241 Baker Street, the museum states its address as 221 Baker Street to honour the famous creation of Sir Arthur. This literary gem can be visited off the southwest part of Regent’s Park. Those that are ardent admirers of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy a visit to the museum that is home to a number of exhibits of that era. This includes a replica of the detective’s study and plenty of Holmes memorabilia among other items. And once you are done with a tour of the place you could drop-in at its equally famous souvenir shop where you can pick up a fantastic memento of your visit to the museum.
The George Inn:
The pub located in Southwark is more than 400 years old. Despite being practically completely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, it is the last remaining galleried coaching inn of its kind in the country. It was a favourite haunt of Charles Dickens who was a regular patron and even immortalised it by mentioning it in his book Little Doritt. Among its famous patrons Shakespeare is also thought to have been a visitor to the pub, though largely this seems to be an assumption, considering its close location to the Globe theatre. It now is managed by the National Trust that has the onus of maintaining its nostalgic and literary soaked ambience.
Keats House:
Located on the edge of picturesque Hampstead Heath, it was where Keats stayed with his friend Charles Brown for almost two years. It is also said to be the location where he created one of his finest compositions “Ode to a Nightingale.” When his health began to deteriorate due to consumption in then relocated in 1820, to the sunny locales of Italy. His fiancée Fanny Brawne however stayed back in England. Through the remaining part of the 1900s it was home to a number of celebrities. The modern Keats Museum is now located in an adjoining coach house and has a vast exhibit of his letters, a copy of his death mask and the engagement ring that he had given to Brawne, among other items. The museum also plays host to numerous literary events and even guided tours around the area.
Shakespeare’s Globe:
While London may be city with an abundance of landmarks, without a modicum of doubt the Globe Theatre is definitely out of the most recognised and iconic of landmarks to visit. Although the construction that we see today is hardly two decades old, it is a painstaking recreation of the original theatre in detail as it looked at the time of its creation in 1599. The original theatre was unfortunately destroyed in a fire in 1613, while a show of Henry VIII was being performed. Although, it was rebuilt the next year, it was shuttered down in 1642, because of the harsh Puritan decision to close all such places of entertainment. It is as authentic a Shakespearean experience to watch as in the days of the Bard, and one of the best places to watch the performers is from an area known as the pit. It is the standing space that is bang opposite the front portion of the stage. With some of the best Shakespearean classics ranging from Julius Caesar to King Lear, Romeo and Juliet to the Comedy of Errors it is fantastic place to watch the best of theatre. It also makes for an interesting tour of the place!
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