There are so many London literary sites that a book lover could spend a lifetime in London and never finish all the books related to the city or visit all the sites! And if you’re visiting, with even less time than a lifetime, it’s hard to know how to prioritize! Here are my top suggestions for bookish London locations not to be missed.
I’ve also supplied links so you can purchase the books and get reading (or listening!) to these great London classics!
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Getting Around
London has great public transportation and a couple iPhone apps make navigating the city super simple!
First of all, if you’re flying into Heathrow, take the Express to Paddington Station. Then say hi to the statue of Paddington Bear who sits by Train Platform 1.
This is where the hapless bear was fictionally found and taken in by the Brown family. He was sitting on his suitcase with a tag around his neck reading, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
Purchase The Paddington Treasury from Bookshop | Amazon | Audible
- I swear by the CityMapper App, it’s better than Google maps. Using it, you’ll be able to navigate the subway, buses, trains, and walking around the city like a pro. When you type in your desired destination, the app will show you the quickest means to get there, the approximate cost, current delays, the train platform, and even the subway car you should sit in based on crowd size at that time of day. And now that you can just tap your credit card for the subway, getting around London is so easy!
- Of course, to use CityMapper, you’ll need data on your phone. If you have an unlocked mobile phone that works with e-sims, Airalo makes the entire eSIM process incredibly simple! You purchase the appropriate package ahead of time and download the plan to your phone following their directions. Then when you land in the UK, you switch the Airalo plan on and your usual plan off, and you have data right away, as soon as you step off the plane! Then at the end of your trip you turn the UK plan off and turn your normal SIM back on!
Where to Stay
- Henry’s Townhouse: This six-bedroom boutique hotel was once the former home of Jane Austen’s brother Henry. The hotel maintains the Austen family connection through their decor. (Full disclosure- I haven’t stayed here myself, but have it on good authority that it is a nice place to stay.)
- Georgian House Hotel & Wizard Experience: [If you’re still a fan of Harry Potter] The Georgian House Hotel contains two rooms, the Wizard Chambers, and the Enchanted Chambers, that should have you feeling like you’ve been dropped right into Hogwarts. And you participate in a potions lesson! (Full disclosure- I haven’t stayed here myself)
- Although it’s not literary, my favorite place to stay in London is the Best Western Plus Delmere Hotel. The rooms are very small, but clean, comfy, and the hotel breakfast is decent. I mostly like it because of its location. If you’re arriving/departing from Heathrow, it’s only a 3-minute walk from Paddington station. So it’s super easy to walk with luggage to/from the Paddington Express. And being that close to the station, it’s a fast walk to get to the Underground by which you can get anywhere else in town you want to go. And, it’s within walking distance of Peter Pan.
Food
The George Inn: Besides being London’s only surviving galleried coaching inn, The George was a frequent stop of author Charles Dickens. He even mentioned the inn in his novel Little Dorrit. If you’re hungry after all your touring, The George serves up good English pub food and the courtyard is often full of Brits enjoying a cold pint.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Ye Old Cheshire Cheese pub was once the meeting place of authors and several of them even put the pub in their literary works. Charles Dickens spent many evenings at the pub and alludes to it in his A Tale of Two Cities. In one of the rooms inside this old pub you’ll find a plaque where Charles Dickens used to sit. P. G. Wodehouse was also a regular and mentions the pub in his books. Even Agatha Christie staged a scene in one of her Poirot mysteries at this pub. These are only a few of the many writers who have dined at the Cheshire Cheese, and according to the pub’s entry in Wikipedia, we even know what some of the writers ate thanks to the Betty Crocker cookbook! Also, Dr. Samual Johnson (writer of first English dictionary) used to drink here. And his house, now a museum, is just around the corner.
I haven’t tried these places yet, but they’re on my bucket list:
- Mr. Fogg’s: Mr. Fogg’s is a collection of bars around London inspired by none other than Mr. Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days. According to the website, the establishments will transport you back to the Victorian era and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into the book.
- Peter Pan afternoon Tea in the Shard
And although less literary, I recommend:
- Fischers in Marylebone: You’ll want to dress nice for a dinner here, but the food is worth it!
- Borough Market
To Do
The Tower of London: When I see the Tower of London, I think of Sharon Kay Penman’s medieval period historical fiction books. More recently, however, Philippa Langley wrote a book called The Princes in the Tower, in which she delves into the mystery of the young princes who disappeared during the reign of King Richard III. Langley believes she’s finally solved the greatest cold case in history.
Interested in reading about Kind Richard III and “the Princes in the Tower”?
The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street: Although the famous consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his assistant, Dr. John Watson, are characters created by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and only fictionally lived at 221B Baker Street in London, that is exactly where you’ll find the Sherlock Holmes house museum today. 221B Baker Street is a three story historic boarding house turned museum with rooms decorated to look like as though the occupants of Doyle’s stories, Sherlock, Watson and their housekeeper Ms. Hudson have just stepped out. You’ll be able to take a seat in Sherlock’s study and try on his famous hat, but be wary of the third floor. Upstairs you’ll find wax figurines of some of the classic villains from the Sherlock mysteries.
READ MORE: London Literary Destination for the Sherlock Holmes Fan
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (Purchase via Bookshop | Amazon | Audible)
Find Peter Pan: Author J. M. Barrie had this statue, inspired by his character Peter Pan, placed in Kensington Garden in the middle of the night so that children would think it appeared as if by magic the next morning. Rather than the second star to the right and straight on ’till morning, take a stroll through the garden along the water to find this lost boy of Never Never Land.
There’s also a second statue of Peter Pan just outside the doors of the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Barrie left all the royalties of the book to the hospital, so it’s still gifting today.
Charles Dickens Museum: Walking through Charles Dickens’ first London home, you’ll learn about the struggles he faced in his personal life, his desire to be the center of attention, and you’ll be able to step before the mirror in his sitting room that he used to perfect his character acting before public readings. The museum uses sounds and smells to tingle many of your senses and totally immerse you in the historical home life of this famous London author.
At the back of the London townhouse you’ll find a tea room with a patio where you may just want to take your scone and afternoon tea snd sit with a book all afternoon after touring the house. Even if you don’t tour the house, you can still enjoy the tea room- and there’s wifi!
READ MORE: Step into the 1800s in Charles Dickens’ First London Home
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (Purchase via Bookshop | Amazon | Audible)
Bloomsbury Walking Tour: The Bloomsbury Neighborhood is not only famous for its namesake, the headquarters of Bloomsbury Publishing, but historically was home to many great writers who have been memorialized with round blue plaques on the fronts of several of the buildings. Take yourself on a self-guided walking tour through the neighborhood and you’ll find the former home of Virginia Wolfe, the site of where author J. M. Barrie’s home once stood, and Charles Dickens’ London home, as well as several others.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theater: London’s Globe Theater is actually a replica of Shakespeare’s original theater, which succumbed to fire, but it has been rebuilt with similar techniques to the original and his plays are still performed daily. You can visit the theater as an audience member or just for a guided tour between productions.
READ MORE: Literary Destination: Shakespeare’s Globe Theater
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Purchase via Bookshop | Amazon)
Kenwood Estate: The Kenwood Estate in Hampstead Heath was home to Dido Elizabeth Belle, she was daughter to a slave mother and a naval officer father who had her raised at Kenwood by his uncle. She was raised as a free heiress. A painting of Belle and her female second cousin who the family also raised can be seen inside Kenwood, which is now an art museum. The house also contains a beautiful library room. Visit the museum and then take the biography of Belle, written by Paula Byrne out to the grounds to read. Though you may be distracted by the beautiful skyline view of London which can be seen from the estate.
READ MORE: Literary Destination: Kenwood Estate, Home of Dido Elizabeth Belle
Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice by Paula Byrne (Purchase via Bookshop | Amazon)
British Library: Even if you can’t check out books at the British Library and don’t have something to study for, you should still visit this Library. The permanent exhibit room has fascinating old and rare books from the archives on display and the rotating exhibit is always interesting as well. Sometimes on display are Jane Austen’s desk and Beatles original lyrics. And you definitely won’t leave empty handed if you visit the library’s gift shop.
The British Museum: The British Museum’s central reading room, which had been closed since 2013, has now reopened for general visitors.
Take a StoryTourist Walking Tour: These are fun DIY walking tours you can do on your own at your own speed whenever you want. Purchase the tour ahead of time and download it to your phone while you have wifi. You can only start the tour, however, when your GPS location matches the location of the start of the tour. At each stop along the tour you’ll have to solve a little puzzle in the app to get the next location and you’ll be told a story while you walk to each location.
I’ve done two London StoryTourist walks so far, watch the vlogs I created of both tours:
Poets’ Corner, Westminster Abbey: Poets’ Corner is the section within Westminster Abbey where you’ll find headstones and memorial plaques for several of Britain’s most famous writers. Interestingly, not everyone with a plaque is actually buried at Westminster. For example, although commemorated here, Jane Austen’s final resting place is actually at Winchester Cathedral. Make sure to look all around you because you’ll find plaques and stones on the walls and beneath your feet.
I suggest getting the audio guide for your tour of Westminster Abbey, and be prepared for crowds. Also, unfortunately photography is not allowed inside, so put away your camera and just enjoy your tour.
Dr. Samuel Johnson’s House: Dr. Samuel Johnson was the author of the widely used Dictionary of the English Language. He standardized much of the English language that we still use today.
A few more suggestions:
- Find the hidden book vending machine
- Timeout events: I’ve done a movie night & boat cruise on the Thames as well as a silent disco in the Shard Tower, both Timeout events, so it might be worth seeing what they have going on while you’re there.
- Churchill War Rooms Museum: I’ve done this twice. I think it’s fascinating.
- Kensington Palace
- Wellcome Collection: I haven’t been, but it’s a museum of old Medical stuff.
Shop
Waterstones: The flagship Waterstones at Piccadilly is London’s largest bookstore and possibly the biggest bookstore in Europe. It has SIX floors of books and if you’re not careful, you may find yourself here with your entire day gone! Small seating areas throughout the shop with books lying innocently on coffee tables will suck you in. There’s also a restaurant on the top floor and a cafe on the bottom floor.
READ MORE: A Five-Story Book-Lover’s Paradise: Waterstones, London
Daunt Books: I love Daunt Books because the books are organized by country. I go shelf by shelf imagining all the different trips I could plan!
Interestingly, the Marylebone location may have been built as the first custom-built bookshop in the world. And the founder, James Daunt, later went on to become the director of Waterstones, and later Barnes and Noble!
Word on the Water: If you find yourself in London and don’t have time for a complete narrowboat holiday, you can at least get ON a narrowboat by visiting Word on the Water. It’s a boat on Regents Canal in London that’s been turned into a bookstore! It’s quite cozy and the shelves are filled with lots of classics and a smattering of other topics. The books are both new and used.
After that, I suggest walking to a nearby pub called The Narrowboat. I read about it in Narrowboating Nomads by Steve Haywood. It’s the pub where he and his wife had drinks with friends on their last night in London before moving into their boat and puttering out of the city. The pub overlooks part of the canal so you can look at the boats moored beneath the pub balcony.
Platform 9 3/4: [If you’re still a fan of Harry Potter] This is a must for all Harry Potter lovers. While there may not actually be a platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station in London, there is a shop at the station with that name. If you have enough time to wait in line, you can get your photo taken with a cart sticking out of the brick wall, or you can just head right into the shop. Leave yourself plenty of time for this stop because the shop is crowded and the checkout lines are almost as long as the line for the photograph!
Covent Garden Market: There’s an entire shop devoted to Moomins!
Day Trips from London by Train
Harry Potter Experience WB Studio Tour: [If you’re still a fan of Harry Potter] To get there, hop on the train and then take a shuttle to the studio from the station. The best way to visit is to reserve studio tickets for a morning time, take the train and then you’ll have all day to wander through the experience at your own pace. There are bus tours from London that will pick you up in the city and drive you there, but your time will be limited to the length of the bus tour.
At your designated ticket time you’ll start your tour in Hogwarts’ Great Hall where you’ll see clothing and props. From there you’ll proceed into a huge room with props and recreated rooms from all the Harry Potter films. You can also get in line for green screen photos of yourself on a broom or in the flying Ford Anglia. When you’re finished with this room you’ll find yourself on Platform 9 3/4 where you can tour the train engine used in the films. Walk down the train corridor and peek into compartments which are decorated for each year of Harry’s journeys on the train to Hogwarts. After this you’ll probably be ready for a butter beer so it’s a good thing the cafe and back lot are next. Although you can’t go in, you’ll see the Night Bus, the front of #4 Private Drive and a couple other sets. Finally you’ll end your day with the models, electronics, and special affects used to create the movie magic. Since my visit, the Forbidden Forest has been added to the displays as well. This experience is a must for Harry Potter fans, just as long as you’re prepared to ruin the movie magic!
READ MORE: The Ultimate Harry Potter Fan Destination: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Hampton Court Palace: Hampton Court Palace was the home of King Henry VIII, and I don’t think any king created better story fodder than he and his six wives. So if you’re interested in the Tudors, you’ll want to see Hampton Court Palace.
I was lucky enough during the Open Palace Programme I attended in 2017 to see author Tracy Borman talk about her Tudor studies and the numerous books she’s written about them. She has several fascinating books, like this one about Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I.
Paris: Technically, you can get to Paris in 2 hours via the Chunnel, so you could go and come back in a day.
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Stephen Margrett says
Well done, Elizabeth. This is a marvelous list of literary sites for visitors to London. There are many more, as you point out, but these seventeen could easily take up an entire week already. Anyone wanting to plan a personalized self-guided or escorted tour of London’s literary sites might like to visit the Tours page of my website (see below).
Book Lover says
I’m so excited to read this one. It’s wonderful!!
Sherrie says
Thanks for the great ideas. I’ve spent many tourist days in London in the past but it has been a while since I visited. I am looking for some interesting non-standard destinations for an upcoming visit.
Suzana says
How wonderful Elizabeth! Many of these sites are on our list to visit in June. I’m preparing a trip to the UK with my mother (in her 80s) and my daughter (just 9). We are mainly staying in Surrey and will visit London and see Matilda and Cursed Child, visit May of these sites, we will visit Kew Gardens, Farnham, Oxford, Puzzlewood (inspired Middle Earth and a site of Secret Garden movie and others), Bath (Austen and Shelley), and finally Hartfield (Milne). This year, we have been reading the various books through the year in anticipation of this trip. What a joy to share so many magical books out loud as a family, and in anticipation of the trip.
Thank you for this trove of treasures in London!
Stephen Margrett says
You’re in for a wonderful trip, including the locations you plan to visit outside London. Oxford and Bath are particular glories. Bon voyage!
Dee Ellmann says
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for the wonderful ideas to narrow down the many choices for our trip to London this fall. These places were mostly all known to me, but it’s great to have your perspective and to know I’m on the right track!
Dee Ellmann