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1 Delve into England s literary treasures. This new itinerary will guide you through the intriguing stories of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Lord Byron and beyond. englandsliterarytours.co.uk N O T T INGHAMS HIR E WARWICKSH IRE H AMPSH IRE

2 JANE AUSTEN WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE LORD BYRON & D H LAWRENCE AN OPEN BOOK ITINERARY Delve into England s literary treasures. This new itinerary will guide you through the intriguing stories of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Lord Byron and beyond. England s stories have been intriguing visitors for many years. Designed to give you inspiration for either day visits from London or new-ideas for individual tours, read on to discover England s literary hero destinations. Stops include Stratford-upon-Avon, Hampshire and Nottinghamshire, all easily accessible by train or by road from London or with regional airports on their doorstep. These trip ideas will suit both literary enthusiasts and those just looking to discover new places in England. englandsliterarytours.co.uk Hampshire L I T E R A RY T O U R S 2 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS Warwickshire L I T E R A RY T O U R S Nottinghamshire L I T E R A RY T O U R S VISIT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 3

3 Jane Austen s Hampshire Suggested One Day Itinerary Literary fans have always been drawn to Hampshire to follow the life of Jane Austen. Jane is one of England s most celebrated novelists and Hampshire played an important part in her life, not just as the place she lived but as inspiration to many of her novels. Other famous literary heroes with Hampshire connections; Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, John Keats and Thomas Hardy. Chawton House Chawton House Jane Austen House Museum Jane Austen House Museum Just outside of Winchester in the village of Chawton, the Museum is the house where Jane lived for the last eight years of her life and where she wrote all her major works: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Visitors can see an important collection of objects associated with Jane Austen. Particular highlights include letters, jewellery, first editions of her books, furniture, textiles and the table at which she wrote her much loved novels. 4 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS A little further down the road is a Grade ll listed Elizabethan manor house built in the 1580s which once belonged to Jane s brother Edward, highlights here include the reading alcove in the Oak Room where Jane liked to sit and the family dining table at which Jane dined. The house also features portraits of female writers, many of them famous in their day and a continuously changing display of works from the library s unique collection of women s writing. ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 5

4 Accommodation Information & Guides Winchester Cathedral A 30-minute journey from Chawton is the historic town of Winchester. Founded in the 7th century and moved to its current location around 1,000 years ago, the Cathedral is one of the largest in Europe, with the longest nave and the greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral. The resting place of Jane Austen, there is an illustrated exhibition detailing her life displayed beside her grave. jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk chawtonhouse.org hiddenbritaintours.co.uk winchester-cathedral.org.uk hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/greathall charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk winchestertouristguides.com Places to stay Winchester Great Hall Steventon Church A 12th century church where Jane Austen worshipped stands almost unchanged from its original condition, featuring a bronze plaque dedicated to her name. Winchester Great Hall 8 College Street 8 College Street Spot the blue-plaque on 8 College Street. A now private house which was once the home in which Jane died in A walking tour guide will explain how she was moved into lodgings here when illness took her young life. Overnight stay 6 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS Winchester Cathedral Option to stay in either Winchester or Stratford-upon-Avon Founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror, here dominating the Great Hall, is the iconic Round Table famously linked to King Arthur and his Knights. Day Two The Old Swan, Alton Places to eat & drink Oakley Hall Hotel In Chawton, opposite Jane Austen s House Museum, is a traditional English tea room and offering English afternoon and cream teas. A charming hotel first mentioned in 1499, was developed in 1777 to become the coaching inn with 37 individually designed bedrooms you see today. City Walking Tours A walking tour is an ideal introduction to Winchester and they take place throughout the year enabling visitors to discover the sites of this historic city and hear a few stories and scandals along the way. Many are available as well as themed tours including Jane Austen s Winchester and Literary Winchester. The Old Swan, Alton Oakley Hall Hotel Wessex Mercure Hotel Winchester Hotel Dating back to 1795 and formerly owned by the Bramston Family who were close friends of Jane Austen. Featuring 47 elegant bedrooms furnished to a high standard. Wessex Mercure Hotel Located next door to Winchester Cathedral with 94 well-appointed rooms and the Wessex Restaurant offering a selection of modern British dishes. Winchester Hotel 4* hotel a few minutes walk from Winchester City Centre with 96 tastefully furnished en-suite bedrooms and suites, a fitness suite, pool with jets, jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. Cassandra s Cup The Old Vine Set in a Winchester Grade II listed building this award-winning restaurant with its gnarled oak beams and roaring log fire is a relaxed and friendly place for lunch or an evening meal. Wykeham Arms Located close to College Street, Winchester this pub has become a local landmark and the perfect place for lunch or an evening meal featuring local and seasonal ingredients. The Green Man A stylish Winchester pub and restaurant specialising in locally sourced produce and catering for groups. Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum The perfect place in Portsmouth to start exploring and experiencing the work of one of England s most famous and best-loved writers. The Jane Austen Centre Situated in an original Georgian townhouse in the historic town of Bath. Telling the story of her time in Bath and featuring a specially commissioned waxwork Winchester City Walking tours ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 7

5 Shakespeare s England Literary enthusiasts will relish the chance to visit Stratford-upon-Avon to walk through the ancient streets and go for a stroll along the banks of the River Avon. A small and compact town, visitors can walk between all the major attractions including the house where William Shakespeare was born, the school he attended, explore the home in which he lived with his wife and view his final resting place. You can even catch a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and then venture outside of the town to discover wider literary connections to other famous authors. Suggested One Day Itinerary Shakespeare s Schoolroom & Guildhall Shakespeare s Schoolroom & Guildhall Explore the very room young Shakespeare sat in as a pupil and the space where he first saw plays performed by the country s greatest actors of the day. This authentic and illuminating experience brings to dramatic life his school days and the history of the building; one of the country s remaining medieval Guildhalls. Skakespeare s Birthplace Shakespeare s Birthplace Where the Shakespeare story begins. Explore the house where he was born and hear tales of his family life. Enjoy live theatre and get up close to rare artefacts from the world class collection. 8 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS Skakespeare s Birthplace ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 9

6 Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company is one of the world s largest theatre companies. They perform the works of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and new writings all year-round. Visit and you will quickly discover there s more than the calendar of performances. Discover theatre secrets on a guided Theatre tour, see Shakespeare s home town from a different perspective from the top of the Tower, enjoy a delicious freshly cooked meal in the Rooftop Restaurant or journey through The Play s The Thing a magical journey through 100 years of theatre-making at this award-winning interactive exhibition. On display are stunning costumes and props from the RSC archives as well as a rare copy of Shakespeare s first folio. Anne Hathaway s Cottage 10 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS Royal Shakespeare Company Anne Hathaway s Cottage A short journey out of the town centre brings you to the final stop. This beautiful 500-year-old cottage where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be, Anne, who was born here in You can see original furniture including the Hathaway bed and uncover five centuries of stories in this picturesque cottage. The kitchen and parlour remain from the original medieval construction and you can wander through nine acres of gardens, woodland and orchards. Shakespeare s New Place This was his family home for almost 20 years until his death in The original house was demolished in 1759 and this re-imagined site has been designed to give the impression of the scale of New Place and to commemorate the importance of the site. Follow in Shakespeare s footsteps through a new entrance on the site of the original gatehouse and enjoy a contemporary landscape that reveals the footprint of the Shakespeare family home. The sunken Knot Garden has been restored in keeping with the original design and elements of the Great Garden, the largest surviving part of Shakespeare s estate, will be conserved and further developed over time. Overnight stay Shakespeare s New Place Shakespeare s New Place Option to stay in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Winchester Information & Guides shakespeares-england.co.uk shakespeare.org.uk/visit/shakespeares-birthplace shakespearesschoolroom.org shakespeare.org.uk/visit/shakespeares-new-place shakespeare.org.uk/visit/anne-hathaways-cottage/ Royal Shakespeare Company - rsc.org.uk/your-visit Holy Trinity Church The church where William Shakespeare was baptised, where he worshipped and where he is buried in the chancel. Mary Arden s Farm Discover the childhood home of Shakespeare s mother and experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm. Hall s Croft The home of Shakespeare s daughter, Susanna and her husband, the renowned physician John Hall. Stoneleigh Abbey Holy Trinity Church A Grade I listed mansion and original Cistercian monastic house which, following a visit from Jane Austen, was used as the setting for Mansfield Park. Places to stay The Arden Hotel Located directly opposite the Royal Shakespeare Company, has recently undergone a multi-million refurbishment to create a sophisticated 45-bedroom luxury hotel. Mercure A 4-star hotel with 78 individually named contemporary guest rooms, each is stylishly decorated with minibars, satellite TV & free high speed Wi-Fi. Crowne Plaza Newly refurbished modern rooms, a heated pool and a riverside terrace just two minutes walk from the town centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. MacDonald Alveston Manor Hotel A historic Tudor house in the heart of the town with high tech gym, swimming pool and spa. Accommodation The Arden Hotel Mercure Shakespeare Hotel Crowne Plaza MacDonald Alveston Manor Hotel Places to eat & drink Loxleys Restaurant & Wine Bar Just a short 2-minute stroll to Stratford s theatre and shops, offering a great choice of dining options serving local produce meals throughout the day. Edward Moon Day Two An award-winning English brasserie with plenty of its own history and located in Chapel Street, close to all of the towns attractions. ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 11

7 Lord Byron & D.H.Lawrence s Suggested One Day Itinerary Nottinghamshire If ever there was a place that has a story to tell, Nottinghamshire is it. There are the legendary tales of Robin Hood the folklore hero whose spirit is still very much alive here. It s the homeland of the rebel author D.H. Lawrence and the lovelorn poet Lord Byron, two gamechanging writers who pushed boundaries with every flick of their pens. Visit Nottinghamshire and explore the homes they lived in, absorb the cobbled streets they walked on in the city centre and absorb the sights that inspired them. Robin Hood Statue Nottingham Castle 12 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS Newstead Abbey Newstead Abbey Newstead Abbey Begin with a visit to Lord Byron s old digs. Built in the 12th century as a monastery, it later became the home of the Byron family. Mad, bad and dangerous to know, the romantic poet is famous the world over as a passionate lover, a political revolutionary and a man who inspired the Greeks to victory over Turkish rule. The grand abbey is now a museum containing Byron memorabilia including many personal items. Pre-booked groups can enjoy a tour of the house with an eccentric costumed Lord Byron guide. Nottingham Castle A 30-minute journey south of Newstead Abbey is the infamous Castle. Built high upon Castle Rock towering above the city centre, the Castle was originally built in the 11th century and was famously occupied by supporters of Prince John during the Crusades, the Sheriff of Nottingham and of course Robin Hood. The Castle was razed to the ground during the English Civil War then rebuilt and is set to go through a further transformation as it closes in spring 2018 to be transformed into a world-class visitor attraction. A total of 29.4 million is being invested to redevelop the site and the sprawling cave network hidden within the Castle rock. Reopening during spring 2020, now is the perfect time to plan a future trip. ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 13

8 Guided Walking Tours of Nottingham City Centre and beyond 14 ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS Ezekial Bone Tours, Reading the City Whilst in the city enjoy the sights with an expert guide. Families can enjoy a 90-minute long Reading the City walk with the award-winning Robin Hood guide provided by Ezekial Bone Tours. The literary specialist Gold Star Guides provides a 2-hour walking tour through the city centre, and the cultural specialist Brackenbury s Britain offers personalised tours which could include a visit to the home of Lord Byron. Bromley House Library Bromley House Library Hidden away in the heart of Nottingham city centre is a beautiful 200-year-old library with around 40,000 books spread over three floors of a Grade II listed Georgian Townhouse. Open to the public on selected days of the week, groups can pre-book a private tour or get in touch to find out when the library is open for visitors. D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum The final stop of the day is in the nearby town of Eastwood where you can visit the authentically recreated miner s cottage and birthplace of the world-renowned Nottinghamshire author, D.H. Lawrence. D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum Learn about life in the mining community which shaped Lawrence s childhood and writing, see rooms where the family lived and view personal items and some of Lawrence s original watercolour paintings. D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum Overnight stay Option to stay in either Nottingham or Eastwood Information & Guides visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk newsteadabbey.org.uk nottinghamcastle.org.uk bromleyhouse.org ezekialbone.com goldstarguides.com brackenburysbritain.co.uk lleisure.co.uk/d-h-lawrence-birthplace-museum St. Mary Magdalene Church Visitors from around the world make pilgrimages here to see Byron s last resting place and learn about his life and works. Wollaton Hall Wollaton Hall & Deer Park A spectacular Grade I listed Elizabethan Mansion set in 500 acres of spectacular gardens and parkland famous for being the setting of Wayne Manor in the 2012 Batman film, Dark Knight Rises. Sherwood Forest Country Park Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre The park and nature reserve covers 450 acres and is the home of the ancient Major Oak, famous for being Robin Hood s hideout. Places to stay Colwick Hall Hotel A Georgian country mansion, once the ancestral home of Lord Byron before he moved to Newstead Abbey. With 16 individually designed rooms and a fine dining restaurant; Byron s Brasserie. Eastwood Hall A beautifully restored period property with 150 rooms located in the historic home town of D.H. Lawrence. Hilton Nottingham In the heart of Nottingham city centre in a beautiful Victorian building with contemporary décor and a 60-foot indoor heated pool with whirlpool. Harts Hotel Nestled high on the ramparts of the medieval castle in a tranquil location with 30 rooms and 2 suites, most with stunning views over the Nottinghamshire landscape. Colwick Hall Hotel Accommodation Colwick Hall Hotel Harts Hotel Hilton Nottingham Colwick Hall Hotel Eastwood Hall Places to eat & drink Day Three Day Two Fox and Hounds An up-to-date version of the traditional English country pub close to Newstead Abbey with plenty of parking and a warm welcome for groups. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem A visit is not complete without a drink in England s oldest inn built into the rocks that Nottingham Castle is built upon. The Larder on Goosegate Set in the original Boots apothecary store in a beautiful Grade II listed building and listed in the Michelin, Harden s and Good Food Guides serving great British cuisine, afternoon teas and Sunday roasts. Mulberry Tree Café Set in the old stables of Strelley Hall, you will find the Mulberry Tree Café. Open daily for lunch and afternoon teas combined with tours of the beautiful hall. ENGLAND S LITERARY TOURS 15

9 Planning your Literary Tour Nottinghamshire Warwickshire Hampshire Our England s Literary Tour attractions can be linked with a choice of road, rail and air connections, making it easy to plan your own tour from your point of arrival. Nottinghamshire By Train London to Nottingham - 1hr 49min Birmingham to Nottingham - 58min Manchester to Nottingham - 1hr 44min By Road London to Nottingham - 2hr (approx) Stratford-upon-Avon to Nottingham - 1hr 20min Winchester to Nottingham - 2hr 48min Birmingham to Nottingham - 1hr 10min Nearest Airports Birmingham Airport (BHX) - 1hr 5min East MIdlands Airport (EMA) - 30min MANCHESTER Warwickshire BIRMINGHAM LONDON PORT OF SOUTHAMPTON By Train Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon - 1hr 15min London to Stratford-upon-Avon - 2hr By Road Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon - 1hr 5min London to Stratford-upon-Avon - 2hr 14min Nottingham to Stratford-upon-Avon - 1hr 20min Winchester to Stratford-upon-Avon - 1hr 54min Nearest Airport Birmingham Airport (BHX) - 45min Hampshire englandsliterarytours.co.uk Delve into England s literary treasures. Our new tour itineraries will guide you through the intriguing stories of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Lord Byron and beyond. VISIT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE By Train London to Winchester - 1hr Birmingham to Winchester - 2hr 30min Nottingham to Winchester - 3hr 38min By Road London to Winchester - 1hr 40min Stratford-upon-Avon to Winchester - 1hr 50min Nottingham to Winchester - 2hr 45min Port of Southampton to Winchester - 30min Nearest Airports London Heathrow (LHR) - 55min London Gatwick (LGW) - 1hr 40min Southampton (SOU) - 20min