I Did a Literary Tour of England, Here Were My 10 Dreamy Stops and the Books To Match
From Buckingham Palace to the Cotswolds—the perfect books to pair with every English landmark
Much like choosing a novel, I plan my travels by picking a location that completely transports me. Last fall, as I mapped out a trip to Great Britain, I realized how many of my most-beloved books were set in the very places I longed to see. Castles, cobbled streets, ancient universities—they had already come alive for me on the page. So I wove the two together into a bookish tour that whisks you away, whether you’re exploring in person or just getting lost in a story.
Buckingham Palace
The first time I stood in front of Buckingham Palace, I was struck by its sheer scale—the long, symmetrical facade stretching across the forecourt, the Victoria Memorial gleaming white against the London sky. It’s hard to imagine it began in 1703 as Buckingham House, built for a duke rather than a dynasty. But in 1837, when Queen Victoria made it her official residence, it became the heart of the modern monarchy.
Today, behind the historic gates lie 775 rooms and 40 acres of private gardens where state banquets glitter, secrets hide and investitures quietly change lives. Visitors can tour palace rooms and gardens in summer months, but in the meantime, don’t miss the changing of the guard held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00 am, and Sunday at 10:00 am.
For a sparkling royal romance filled with palace intrigue and heart pick up The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Walking along the Thames toward the Globe, you can’t help but imagine the original theater, built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s own company. It burned down in 1613, was quickly rebuilt, and then lost again in 1644. Today’s Globe, opened in 1997, lets visitors experience the same plays performed 400 years ago.
The Secret Life of William Shakespeare by Jude Morgan takes you to the bard’s world.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum
There’s a quiet thrill when you approach the black door marked 221B. Inside the 1815 townhouse, Sherlock Holmes’ world unfolds, from a cozy Victorian sitting room with a glowing coal fire, scattered papers and a resting violin to Dr. Watson’s chambers. It’s like stepping into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s mind.
In Sherry Thomas’s clever Lady Sherlock series, the Master of Deduction is a woman.
Georgian House Hotel
Nestled along a stately row of Pimlico 18th-century townhouses, the Georgian House Hotel is pure magic. Hidden behind a secret door and down candlelit stairs lie the Wizard & Enchanted Chambers. Each room has stone walls, stained glass and flickering lanterns for the ultimate dark-academia escape. On weekends, the hotel’s speakeasy-style restaurant serves a Wizard Afternoon Tea and hosts potion classes where you can brew spellbinding cocktails. Plan your visit at GeorgianHouseHotel.co.uk.
Dark academia or fantasy fan? Pick up A Deadly Education, by Naomi Novik.
City of Bath
From the 2,000-year-old Roman baths to the towering cathedral, we couldn’t get enough of Bath’s historic charm. Try a bun at Sally Lunn’s, the oldest house in Bath.
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin is a perfect Regency-era romance.
Stonehenge
Nothing quite prepares you for the openness of Salisbury Plain. The road narrows, the land stretches endlessly, and then—almost suddenly—the stones rise against the horizon. Built between 3000 and 2000 BC, Stonehenge is older than the pyramids. Aligned with the solstice sunrise, it reflects astonishing astronomical precision and feels both monumental and quietly mysterious. Bucket list item completed.
Dive into a sweeping blend of history, mysticism and romance rooted in ancient Britain with The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
The Cotswolds
This “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” spans five counties and is famed for gently undulating hills, patchwork fields and picture-perfect villages. In quiet villages like Bourton-on-the-Water or Stow-on-the-Wold, Roman roads still thread the landscape, dotted with sheep. The region is wonderfully unhurried and is arguably the most picturesque in the country.
Cozy up with The Cotswold Mysteries series by Rebecca Tope, set among the villages.
Blenheim Palace
Crossing a sweeping bridge as the palace gradually reveals itself across rolling parkland, the approach to Blenheim is unforgettable. Built in the early 1700s as a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill (an ancestor of Winston Churchill) after the Battle of Blenheim, it is the only nonroyal residence in England titled a palace. Designed in the English Baroque style, it is surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of gardens and parkland and now hosts concerts, festivals and exhibitions year-round.
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton beautifully evokes grand English estates and delves into layered histories.
Oxford University
Oxford feels less like a traditional campus and more like a movie set—which may be why Harry Potter and X-Men: First Class were filmed there. Teaching has taken place here since the 12th century, and its 39 colleges are tucked behind archways and leafy quads that welcome wandering visitors. Step inside the Bodleian Library, founded in 1602, or see The Radcliffe Camera dome gracefully rising above the skyline and you know you’re in a very special place.
Experience Oxford’s hidden magic with Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches.
Chatsworth House
Thought to be the inspiration for Mr. Darcy’s country home of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice (and represented as such in the 2005 film), the honey-colored palace rises from 1,000 acres of Derbyshire parkland. Home to the Cavendish family since 1549, inside its walls display works by Rembrandt and Reynolds; outside, the Emperor Fountain soars dramatically, surrounded by romantic gardens. In fact, you half expect to see Mr. Darcy walking out of the mist.
Always timeless, let Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice transport you to the Peak District.
This story first appeared in the March 30, 2026, issue of Woman’s World magazine.
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