Places Mentioned in Books That I’d Like to Visit

This week we’re talking about the places from books where I’d most like to visit. This was a really fun one, as I had never considered it before. It also made me realise how narrow my reading can be and that I’ve read a lot of books that aren’t set in any real-life locations! So, here’s my best attempt at answering the question as honestly as possible!

[Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book tag which is run by That Artsy Reader Girl, which you can read more about here.]

Normal People – Dublin

This is remarkably good timing as I’m actually set to go to Dublin in a few days time! I’ve been wanting to go to Ireland for years and so I am beyond excited to finally visit. Sally Rooney’s recent hit is Irish through and through and I loved it. A lot of it was set in Dublin, as the protagonists went to the University there. I look forward to wandering Trinity College with them in mind.

Harry Potter – Duke Humfrey’s Library, Oxford

Need I justify my choice in including Harry Potter?! If I could include it on every list I could! The location I chose here is specifically the location they used in the films for the Hogwarts Library. When I think of a library, this is exactly what comes to mind. I would love to one day go and pretend to do some ‘light reading’ Hermione style.

A Discovery of Witches  – Oxford University

There’s some overlap with the last entry, as a lot of the Discovery of Witches trilogy is set in Oxford. Diana Bishop works as a professor there and so spends a lot of time in the Bodleian Library. From what we see on the show it looks absolutely gorgeous, and so Oxford is now firmly on my travel wish list.

Northanger Abbey and Persuasion – Bath

Any Austen fan will know of Bath and its regency connections. I’m cheating a little here, as I lived in Bath for about three years. Yet I never tire of the city and hope one day to return. If you’ve never been, Bath is the perfect literary city. The gorgeous architecture and independent bookshops are not to be missed, whether you’re a Jane Austen fan or not.

Pride and Prejudice – Luckington Court in the Cotswolds

Another Austen book. This time the place I’d love to visit is the filming location of the Bennett family’s manor house, Luckington Court, in the Cotswolds. There is a slight hiccup in this plan as it’s not actually open to the public. It is even rumoured to be Prince Harry and Meghan’s new home. But a visit to the Cotswolds would still be a lovely holiday indeed.

Outlander – Scotland

I’ve only ever been to Edinburgh and Glasgow and so one day I’d love to get lost in rural Scotland. The desire to visit has definitely increased by reading the Outlander books! The Highlands are wonderfully described and the perfect backdrop for the story. From the TV show, it looks gorgeous too and so I one day hope to visit.

Wuthering Heights – Haworth, Yorkshire

I may be a cliche Bronte fan, but I one day hope to visit Yorkshire. I’d loved to get a glimpse of those famous moors, long coat flying in the wind. The heart of Bronte country is Haworth, as it’s the place the Bronte sisters lived. The Pennine village looks stunning and apparently has some excellent bookshops!

Sherlock – 221B Baker Street, London

Another one I’ll be ticking off the list soon. Despite going to London reasonably regularly, I’ve never actually been to this famous spot. I love Sherlock the BBC TV show and would love to read some more of the books soon. But for now, a visit to 221B Baker Street will satisfy my fangirl heart.

Les Misérables – Paris

I have to admit to complete ignorance of Les Misérables before last month. I –of course– knew of its existence as a West End Musical but knew nothing more. That all changed with the BBC drama series which completely blew me away. So, while I haven’t read the book, from seeing the story on screen I know I would love to visit Paris. I’ve wanted to visit Paris for years anyway. So after being gripped by Les Mis, my Francophile feelings have bubbled to the surface once more.

The Great Gatsby – New York/Long Island

Another place on my dream travel list is New York, and nothing screams literary New York like The Great Gatsby! I concede that today’s New York is far less glamorous than the Gatsby 1920s version. But, hey, I wanted to get New York on my list somehow!

 

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