Bringing literary classics to life in the United Kingdom
The UK is more than just a destination, for students of literature it is a shelf of living stories. High school students can immerse themselves amongst the locales and landscapes that inspired some of English literature's greatest writers, seeing through their eyes the themes that shaped their work.
Starting in northern England, students can shake off the long flight from Australia by exploring the breathtaking Lake District that brought about Wordsworth's Daffodils and Keats' To Autumn.
In the ancient northern city of York, step back into medieval times with a walk through The Shambles. While you're in Yorkshire, be sure to visit the Brontë sisters' family home in the village of Haworth. Take a guided walk through the desolate beauty of the Yorkshire moors, whose dramatic landscapes feature prominently in their work, and participate in a guided creative writing workshop.
Heading south, no literature lover's visit to the UK is complete without stopping in Stratford-Upon-Avon, home to England's most famous playwright. Delve into Shakespeare's life with visits to his Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's New Place. Seeing his words brought to life at a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company will enrich the experience further.
Make the beautiful Georgian town of Bath, home of Jane Austen, your penultimate stop on tour. Students can see the beautiful 18th-century Royal Crescent and visualise the Regency world that gave rise to Jane Austen's incredible body of work. Visit The Jane Austen Centre to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of her novels.
Conclude your English Literature tour with a few days in London, a city like no other with endless literary links to explore. Enjoy a walking tour of Dickensian London, visit Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, or learn about the lasting legacy of the Bloomsbury Group.
Round out your literary pilgrimage with a behind-the-scenes tour and performance at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Students and teachers alike will depart the UK with a greater understanding and appreciation of the literary worlds they have passed through.
