1. Whitby
Bram Stoker's time spent on holiday in Whitby informed much of his gothic classic, Dracula. Hike along the West Cliff, where he stayed, and take in the atmosphere that inspired the original vampire novel.
2. The Elephant House, Edinburgh
Most famous for being J.K. Rowling's go-to writing spot in the early days of Harry Potter, the Elephant House's cosy atmosphere, delightful menu, and stunning view of Edinburgh Castle has been enjoyed many respected writers, includin Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall-Smith.
3. The British Library, London
The British Library at St Pancras is the home-base for the national library, and provides over 150 million titles in most known languages for research and exhibition.
4. Carmarthen, Wales
Myth and legend lovers can't miss a trip to Carmarthen, the supposed birthplace of Merlin the wizard, King Arthur's most famous advisor. Stay in the Merlin Hill Centre Bed and Breakfast on site and explore the mystical area to soak up the atmosphere of Britain's most famous legend.
5. Jane Austen Centre, Bath
Jane Austen lived in the charming city of Bath for several years in the early 19th century. The city now honours her with a permanent exhibition and hosts the annual Jane Austen Festival on her birthday.
6. Writers' Museum, Edinburgh
Tucked away from Victoria Street (a must-see in itself for Harry Potter fans, since it inspired Diagon Alley) is Ladystair's Close, home of the Edinburgh Writer's Museum, which features a glorious bookshop, a tribute to the evolution of printed books, and an exhibition on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde author, Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent many years in the city.
7. Hill Top, Hawkshead
Beloved children's writer Beatrix Potter did most of her writing, and set many of her stories at Hill Top farmhouse. She was also a talented visual artist, and the National Trust offers a gallery of her watercolours and drawings at the Beatrix Potter Gallery.
8. Broadstairs, Kent
Broadstairs provided plenty of inspiration to Dickens classics. Dickens House is a tribute to all things Charles Dickens, and located on site in a cottage Dickens often visited with his son, and used as inspiration for the cabin of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. The real life Bleak House, also in the area, inspired Dickens' Victorian epic of the same name.
9. Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare's birthplace is both beautiful and steeped in literary history. Not only did the town provide the setting for Shakespeare's early years, but remained an important location throughout his life. See his wife Anne Hathaway's cottage, his mother's childhood home, and the house where he spent his late years.
10. Ashdown Forest, East Sussex
Ashdown Forest serves as the true life inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood in A.A. Milne's classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories for children.
11. English Riviera
Agatha Christie was born in Ashfield, Torquay on the English Riviera, and the area is is full of locations which inspired, or are featured in, her mystery novels. Most famous is the Imperial Hotel in Torquay, which inspired the fictional Majestic Hotel that appeared in two of Christie's novels.
12. Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth
The childhood home of Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Brontë has been converted to a memory in honour of the sisters and their work and features a massive library.
13. Hardy's Cottage, Dorset
Tess of the D'urbervilles author Thomas Hardy was born in Dorset and wrote several of his early pieces from the cottage in Bockhampton. The small house was built by Hardy's grandfather and is protected by the National Trust.
14. Culloden Battlefields
Fans of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series will recognise the Culloden Battlefields near Inverness as a spot of significance for Jamie and Clair (no spoilers for the TV crowd!). Outlander fans should checkout Visit Scotland's tailored map for more Scottish locations related to the books and TV program.
15. Laurel Villa, Magherafelt
This poetry-themed bed and breakfast in Northern Ireland is located only a few miles from poet Seamus Heaney's childhood home. Heaney's work, which focuses on working class and life on the Irish countryside is much informed by his upbringing, and visiting his roots gives his poetry new depth.
16. Oxford University
Oxford has bred some of the greatest literary minds of the modern era. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, W.H. Auden, William Golden, and Lewis Carroll have studied or lectured at the university, and there's a spectacular library worth visiting as well.
17. Brick Lane, London
Monica Ali's novel surrounding the arranged marriage and cultural adaptation of a Bangladeshi woman, Nazneen takes place in East London, and is titled after the iconic Brick Lane.
18. Jamaica Inn, Cornwall
Daphne du Maurier's novel about smuggling on the Cornish coast, Jamaica Inn, was inspired by her real-life stay at the Cornwall-based establishment.
19. Glastonbury Tor
Thought to be the burial place of King Arthur, Glastonbury Tor is an ancient, beautiful, and haunting spot for lovers of myth and legend to visit.