The Great West Way for Book-Lovers

Lovers of English literature will have a lot to discover along the Great West Way. The route journeys through traditional English landscapes which have acted as both home and inspiration to well-known and beloved authors like Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Mary Shelley and JK Rowling. If you can’t get enough of a good book, make sure you include these literary highlights when you plan your trip along the Great West Way between Bristol and London. Here are our top suggestions for literature-lovers:

Uncover Mary Shelley’s Legacy

Did you know that Mary Shelley penned most of Frankenstein – often hailed as the first science-fiction novel – in Bath? You can now find out more about the author’s troubled and eventful life, as well as her most famous work at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, a new interactive attraction in Bath. While you’re there, descend into the dark and dank basement to for an eerie experience straight out of a gothic novel, or head to the attic to pit your wits against the Frankenstein-themed escape room.

Discover the World of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy, author of classic novels Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure was born in South West England in the 19^th century. Many of his novels use these landscapes as a background, with towns and villages taking on fictional names - such as 'Aldbrickham' which is considered to be the town of Reading, and 'Kennetbridge' which is likely Newbury or Hungerford. If you're visiting the Great West way in 2022, there will be a major exhibition, Hardy's Wessex taking place across four local museums (including Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum) showing the largest collection of Hardy objects ever to be on display at one time. Wiltshire Museum's element of the exhibition, entitled "Hardy’s Wessex - the Ancient Landscape" will run from May to October 2022 and will look at how the timeless landscapes of South West England inspired the author’s works.

Visit a Traditional English Bookshop

There’s no better way to spend a lazy afternoon than browsing the shelves of a higgledy-piggledy little bookshop, before retreating to a nearby tearoom to tuck into your purchases. Independent bookshops can be found at many of the pretty market towns along the Great West Way route, perfect for whiling away an hour or two between your other literary adventures.

Be Inspired by Children’s Classics

The Great West Way has produced many famous faces, including some of England’s best loved children’s writers. Rediscover your favourite books from childhood as you journey along the route. Jacqueline Wilson, author of The Story of Tracy Beaker, was born in Bath and Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond lived in Newbury in Berkshire. J.K. Rowling, author of the 7 Harry Potter books, was born just outside Bristol. Harry Potter fans can visit scenes from the film series along the route, including a Hogwarts classroom in the pretty Wiltshire village of Lacock. Take a look at the best places to pretend you're Harry Potter for more inspiration.

Richard Adams' beloved children’s novel Watership Down tells the story of a group of rabbits living in Berkshire near Newbury, close to where the author himself grew up. Stroll through the beguiling downland landscapes south of Newbury to get a feeling for the setting of the book. Not far away is the village of Cookham, where author Kenneth Grahame lived as a child. The River Thames flows past the village, which became the inspiration for the setting of Grahame’s famous book The Wind in the Willows. Take a boat trip along the Thames and look out for local wildlife like water rats and toads, who may remind you of some of the book’s characters!

Go to a Literary Event

Every year, the Great West Way hosts lots of unique literary events, from the splendid week-long Jane Austen Festival in Bath to numerous literary festivals. Favourites include Henley Literary Festival, Swindon Festival of Literature, Marlborough Literature Festival and Bath Children’s Literature Festival - the largest festival dedicated to children’s literature in Europe. Why not plan your upcoming Great West Way journey to coincide with one of these bookish events?

Follow in the Footsteps of Jane Austen

Born just south of the Great West Way, Jane Austen travelled around this part of South West England a lot during her life time. She went to school in the Berkshire town of Reading, as well as living in Bath for a short time. Many of Austen's novels feature locations on the Great West Way, with TV and film adaptations being filmed here too. Fans of the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice and the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility may recognise several Great West Way locations. And there’s even the chance to visit a whole museum dedicated to the author; the Jane Austen Centre features staff in full Regency dress, exhibits about the author, and a beautifully-stocked gift shop. Find out more about how to follow in Jane Austen’s footprints as you travel the Great West Way.

Ready to plan your adventure along the Great West Way? Take a look at all the other things to see and do – from a day at the races to exploring pretty country gardens – and discover comfortable places to stay for your journey.