Literary connections

Generations of writers, playwrights and poets found inspiration in the beauty of the places where they lived and worked.

The National Trust now cares for many of these special places and you can discover the inspiration behind the words for yourself.

Thomas Hardy

Hardy's Cottage and Max Gate, Dorset

See where 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far From the Madding Crowd' were written, at Hardy's Cottage, the small cob and thatch cottage built by Hardy's father. A short journey away is Max Gate, a red brick villa designed by Hardy himself. Here 'Tess of the d’Urbervilles', 'Jude the Obscure' and 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' were created.

Rudyard Kipling

Bateman’s, East Sussex

'Puck of Pook's Hill', written by Kipling in 1906, takes inspiration from the hill behind this beautiful Jacobean house. Kipling’s strong associations with the East can be seen within the house in the many Oriental rugs and artefacts. Most of the rooms - including his book lined study - are much as he left them.

Beatrix Potter

Hill Top and Beatrix Potter Gallery, Cumbria

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top with the royalties earned from Peter Rabbit and the garden is laid out to reflect Peter’s adventures with Mr McGregor. Tom Kitten, Samuel Whiskers and Jemima Puddleduck were all created here. Down the road in Hawkshead is the Beatrix Potter Gallery with exhibitions of original sketches and watercolours from the celebrated children’s stories.

George Bernard Shaw

Shaw’s Corner, Hertfordshire

Hidden at the bottom of the garden, in the grounds of his Edwardian villa, you will find the writing hut of this famous Irish playwright. The house too is much as he left it, with many personal effects scattered around.

William Wordsworth

Wordsworth House, Cumbria

Experience the childhood of William Wordsworth by visiting the Georgian townhouse where the great poet was born. Costumed interpreters are on hand to provide an insight into the daily life of the family and their servants.

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