The Queens of English storytelling

We love the landscapes we explore here in the UK – but we aren’t the only ones. Artists, poets, singers, writers... many have been moved by what they see. And the idyllic English landscapes have inspired many great English novels, from as far back as the 1700s. This is our run down of the 5 women behind England’s most beloved stories plus discover the placed around the UK they are connected with.

Beatrix Potter (England, 1866 – 1943)

Best known for The Tale of Peter Rabbit, writer, illustrator and conservationist Beatrix Potter drew inspiration for several of her stories from England’s beautiful Lake District. The natural beauty and abundant wildlife of this picturesque region captivated her, and she used its flora and fauna as settings and characters in her tales.

Follow the trail of Peter Rabbit by visiting The Lake District, Dunkeld, Scotland and South Kensington, London

Agatha Christie (England, 1890 – 1976)

You know you’ve achieved greatness when you earn yourself the nickname the “Queen of Mystery”. Christie’s writing career spanned over six decades, during which she produced 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and the world’s longest-running play, The Mousetrap, which opened in London’s West End in 1952 and ran continuously until 2020. And growing up along the Devenish coastlines of England's south, surrounded by crashing waves and rugged moorlands, it's no wonder Christie was inspired by her country's landscape.

Reveal the scenes behind the mystery by visiting The Devonshire Coast, England

Jane Austen (England, 1775 – 1817)

Sweeping moors, luscious farmscapes, idyllic cobbled villages... that’s Jane Austen’s style. Her novels explore the everyday lives and dilemmas of those living in an English society in the 18th and 19th centuries. Her knack for taking seemingly dry and bland moments in the daily lives of her characters and injecting wit and humour into them has resulted in her work’s enduring popularity.

Take a walk with Austen by visiting Chatsworth House, Gravel Walk in Bath and Lyme Park, Cheshire

Charlotte Brontë (England, 1816 – 1855)

From cliffs to gorges, Yorkshire Dales National Park in England is renowned as a luscious landscape of stunning limestone formations. But its significance also lies in its literary history as the home and inspiration of Charlotte Brontë. Ever been drawn to her atmospheric gothic settings and compelling landscapes? Perhaps you’ll understand once you’ve visited the park.

Discover the wild places behind Brontë by visiting Haworth, Yorkshire

Zadie Smith (England, 1975 – present)

London-born Zadie Smith’s work is characterised as witty, vibrant, insightful, and engaging. From her sharp social commentary to vivid descriptions, her name is fast becoming a beloved staple in the English literature scene. Exploring modern topics and relevant issues, her works like White Teeth and Swing Time have earned her a passionate following. Born in the north-west of London, Zadie was likely inspired by the going-ons of the city around her.

Step into the pages of Smith's London by visiting Queen's Park and Kilburn in North West London