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Literary London & South West: Destinations by Train

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South Western Railway February 18, 2026 6 min read

In this article, you'll learn the following:

Famous literary destinations in London
Famous literary destinations in the South West
Plan Your Literary Journey with SWR

London and the South West are bursting with literary history and stories waiting to be discovered. From the streets that inspired Charles Dickens to locations tied to Jane Austen, these destinations are perfect for readers who love classic books and curious travellers alike. All of them are easily accessible by train with South Western Railway, making planning a literary day trip or weekend away simple and enjoyable.

Whether you are exploring the capital or venturing out to the South West coast, these literary destinations offer a chance to walk in the footsteps of your favourite authors and immerse yourself in the stories that have captured readers for generations.

Famous literary destinations in London

A person stands in front of a full bookshelf in a library or bookstore, extending a hand to pull out a book while browsing the collection.

London has long been a hub for writers, novelists and storytellers. Here are some of the best literary destinations in the city where you can explore iconic locations, museums and streets that have inspired some of the world’s most famous stories.

1. Charles Dickens Museum

48-49 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LX

The Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury is the world's oldest museum dedicated to the author, housed in the only one of his London homes still standing today. Explore authentically restored Georgian rooms filled with over 100,000 items from his life and works, including manuscripts, furniture, and family portraits from his time writing classics like ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’. Regular temporary exhibitions showcase rare Dickens artefacts and manuscripts.

How to get there: Take the train to London Waterloo, then the Northern line to Leicester Square and Piccadilly line to Russell Square station. The museum is just a 9-minute walk away.

2. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT.

Shakespeare's Globe on the South Bank is a faithful reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse where many of Shakespeare's plays premiered in 1599. Built just 230 metres from the original site, this open-air theatre offers guided tours, live performances of the Bard's classics, and the unique experience of standing as a "groundling" in the yard just as audiences did 400 years ago. The adjacent Sam Wanamaker Playhouse hosts intimate candlelit indoor productions year-round.

How to get there: Take the train to London Waterloo, then take the Jubilee line to Southwark station. The Globe Theatre is just a 14-minute walk away.

3. Beatrix Potter in Kensington

2 Bolton Gardens, South Kensington, London.

Beatrix Potter was born in Kensington, where she lived until 1913 and created many of her Peter Rabbit stories. A blue plaque now marks her childhood home that inspired whimsical tales of naughty rabbits and hedgehogs. The nearby Brompton Cemetery may have provided character names like Nutkins and McGregor from its gravestones. Fans can also visit Kensington Gardens, where Peter Rabbit first escaped to the Serpentine.

How to get there: Take the train to London Waterloo, then the District line to Gloucester Road station. The site is just a 10-minute walk away.

4. British Library

96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB.

The British Library is the national library of the UK and one of the world's largest, housing over 170 million items including rare manuscripts, first editions, and literary treasures. Highlights include Jane Austen's notebook, handwritten Beatles lyrics, and the Magna Carta. Free exhibitions like the Treasures Gallery showcase these remarkable works alongside rotating displays of literary history.

How to get there: Take the train to London Waterloo, then take the Northern line direct to Euston station. The British Library is just a 7-minute walk away.

Famous literary destinations in the South West

A person sits at a table with a tall stack of books hiding their face.

The South West of England is full of inspiring landscapes, historic towns and coastal paths that have shaped the works of famous authors and storytellers. Here are some of the best destinations you can reach by train for a literary adventure.

1. Jane Austen's House, Alton

Winchester Rd, Chawton, Alton GU34 1S.

Jane Austen’s House is located in the rural village of Chawton near Alton in Hampshire, where she lived from 1809 and revised Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park. This 17th-century house offers an intimate glimpse into her writing life and Regency world. Explore her bedroom, gardens, and the tiny writing table where her famous novels took shape.

How to get there: Alton station is the station closest to the author’s house. From there, it is a 40-minute walk or short bus ride to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton.

2. Mary Shelley in Bournemouth

Hinton Rd, Bournemouth BH1 2EE.

Mary Shelley's connection to Bournemouth comes from her burial in St Peter's Churchyard with her parents and son Percy, who brought her remains here in 1851 to fulfill her wish to be by the sea. Visit the Shelley family vault and Shelley Manor to explore this literary legacy. Fans of gothic literature can trace the dramatic coastal scenery that echoes Frankenstein's dark atmosphere and her other haunting works.

How to get there: Bournemouth station is the station closest to the Shelley sites. Then it is a 21-minute walk.

3. Raynor Winn’s The Salt Path

Officially it begins on the seafront in Minehead, Somerset.

Raynor Winn and her husband Moth walked the 630-mile South West Coast Path after losing their home and facing his terminal illness diagnosis, turning to nature for solace as detailed in her bestselling memoir.

The route from Minehead in Somerset through Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset to Poole offers dramatic cliffs, beaches, and villages that embody their story of resilience. Follow their footsteps to experience the transformative landscapes that inspired this modern classic of endurance and rediscovery.

How to get there: Depending on the starting point along the South West Coast Path, take a South Western Railway train to stations such as Weymouth or Exmouth, then begin your walking route from the nearest access point.

4. Dickens in Portsmouth

393 Old Commercial Rd, Portsmouth PO1 4QL.

Charles Dickens was born on 7 February 1812 in Portsmouth, where his father's Navy pay clerk job briefly brought the family before financial troubles forced a move. The restored Dickens Birthplace Museum preserves this modest terraced house with period furnishings, his sister's piano, and exhibits tracing the early experiences that fueled novels like David Copperfield. Portsmouth's naval heritage and Georgian streets vividly echo the world of young Charles Dickens.

How to get there: Take a South Western Railway train to Portsmouth & Southsea station. The Dickens Birthplace Museum is a short 16-minute walk from the station.

Plan Your Literary Journey with SWR

Ready to explore literary London and the South West? Book with South Western Railway and choose from our range of ticket types for the best value.

Advance tickets save money if booked ahead, while Semi-Flex Return and Sunday Out tickets offer flexibility for day trips.

Travelling in a group? Use GroupSave tickets for discounts, or save more with Railcards.

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