Literary Landmarks To Visit In London
Many of history’s greatest writers once called themselves Londoners; living, working, and socialising among the city’s historic streets, they are the figures behind some of the most inspired, creative, and poetic works in British literature. Walk the cobbles they once walked, drink in the pubs in which they formed their ideas, or pay your respects at their final resting places, with our guide to the best of London’s literary landmarks.
1. The Globe Theatre
Theatre, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark, School
Starting with the most obvious, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on Bankside is perhaps the most famous of London’s literary landmarks — and among its most famous buildings. Fashioned in an entirely authentic manner (save for some modern health and safety requirements) and opening in 1997, today’s Globe Theatre is the third incarnation, and aims to replicate the original theatre of Shakespeare’s day — from which it stands only about 200 metres away — which burned down in 1599 before being rebuilt and demolished later in the century. Plays are staged in the theatre throughout the year — in the traditional outdoor space in the summer, and inside in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse during winter — while tours of the theatre and entrance to the Shakespeare exhibition operate year round.
2. Senate House Library
Building, Library, University
3. Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey
Church, Memorial
Peckham Rye
Peckham Rye is perhaps not one of the first places that comes to mind when speaking of the city’s literary history. The grassy space and eponymous road was, of course, immortalised in Muriel Spark’s 1960 novel, The Ballad of Peckham Rye. However, its literary associations go back way beyond this; it was here, some 200 years prior, that seminal romantic poet William Blake claimed to have had one of his first celestial encounters. When walking on the Rye at the age of ten, Blake recalled coming across an oak tree ‘filled with angels, bright angelic wings bespangling every bough like stars’, with visions forming a large part of his creative process for the remainder of his life. Today, there is a mural on Goose Green, commissioned by the 1993 Dulwich Festival, commemorating Blake’s encounter, while in 2011 Peckham artist John Hartley replanted Blake’s famous angel oak on the Common, using a rescued oak sapling.
5. The Old Curiosity Shop
Shop, Store, School
6. Dr Johnson’s House
Library, Museum
7. Keats House
Museum
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.