VISIT LONDON
Follow the streets of London through the eyes of its greatest writers.
London: Dickens, Shakespeare and the Literary Heart of England
London is one of the world’s great literary cities.
For centuries, writers have lived, worked, argued, performed, imagined and created within its streets. The city has provided the setting for some of the most famous novels ever written and the inspiration for generations of poets, playwrights and storytellers.
Few writers are more closely associated with London than Charles Dickens.
Walk through the capital today and you can still discover the places where Dickens lived and worked, the streets that inspired his characters and the neighbourhoods that feature in his novels. You can visit his former home in Bloomsbury, explore the South Bank where he walked and worked, and follow in his footsteps through the old streets of London. But Dickens is only the beginning.
London also has extraordinary connections with William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, John Keats, Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Pepys and many other writers.
For anyone interested in literature, London is not simply somewhere to visit.
It is somewhere to explore.
Why visit literary London?
London’s literary history is unusually tangible.
The city is filled with historic houses, theatres, bookshops, libraries, pubs, churches, streets and squares associated with writers. Some have barely changed since the writers themselves walked through them.
You can stand in the room where Dickens wrote Oliver Twist, see Shakespeare’s plays performed beside the River Thames, visit John Keats’s former home in Hampstead and explore the Victorian world of Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street.
The beauty of a literary visit to London is that you can combine these places with the city’s other great attractions.
You might spend the morning following Dickens through Clerkenwell, visit St Paul’s Cathedral in the afternoon and then cross the Thames to Shakespeare’s Globe for an evening performance.
Or spend a day exploring Bloomsbury and Hampstead, discovering the world of Virginia Woolf and John Keats.
London gives you the freedom to create your own literary adventure.
Charles Dickens and London
If there is one writer whose imagination is inseparable from London, it is Charles Dickens.
Dickens was born in Portsmouth in 1812 but moved to London as a child. The city became the backdrop to much of his life and an essential part of his writing. He knew London from both sides of Victorian society.
He experienced poverty and hardship himself after his father was imprisoned for debt, and the young Dickens was sent to work in a blacking factory. That experience left a lasting impression.
As a writer, Dickens became fascinated by the contrasts of Victorian London: wealth and poverty, grand houses and overcrowded slums, respectable society and the criminal underworld.
His London became a character in its own right. Novels including:
- Oliver Twist
- David Copperfield
- Bleak House
- Little Dorrit
- Great Expectations
- A Tale of Two Cities
- Our Mutual Friend
- The Pickwick Papers
- Nicholas Nickleby
are filled with London streets, buildings, institutions and characters and many of the places associated with Dickens can still be visited.
The Charles Dickens Museum
One of the essential stops on any literary tour of London is the Charles Dickens Museum at 48 Doughty Street in Bloomsbury.
This is the only surviving London home of Dickens and one of the most important literary houses in the capital.
Dickens lived here with his wife Catherine from 1837 to 1839, during a particularly important period in his career.
It was here that he completed Oliver Twist and worked on Nicholas Nickleby, while his family was growing around him. The house has been preserved as a museum containing furniture, manuscripts, books, portraits and personal possessions.
Walking through the rooms gives you a very different experience from reading a biography.
You can see the environment in which Dickens lived and worked and imagine the writer sitting down to create some of the most memorable characters in English literature.
The museum currently opens Wednesday to Sunday, generally from 10am to 5pm, with last admission one hour before closing. Booking ahead is advisable, particularly at busy times.
Allow: around 1 to 1½ hours.
Follow Dickens through London
The Dickens Museum is the obvious starting point, but his London extends far beyond Doughty Street.
You can follow a fascinating route through Clerkenwell and the City of London, discovering streets and buildings associated with Dickens and the world he knew.
The City of London has even produced a Dickens walking route running from Doughty Street towards St Paul’s Cathedral, taking visitors through locations connected with his life and work.
Along the way you encounter the sort of streets that help explain why Dickens’s descriptions of London remain so vivid.
Look out for historic pubs, old alleys, markets and surviving Victorian buildings.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Fleet Street’s Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has strong literary associations and has been linked with Dickens, Dr Samuel Johnson and other famous literary figures. The pub was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London and retains its atmospheric historic interior.
It makes an excellent stop if you want to experience the sort of London that Dickens knew.
The George Inn
On Borough High Street, The George Inn is London’s only surviving galleried coaching inn.
Dickens knew the pub and it appears in Little Dorrit. There is also a long-running association between the inn and Shakespeare, although some of the stories surrounding his connection are difficult to prove.
It is particularly easy to include because it is close to Shakespeare’s Globe and the attractions of Bankside.
Shakespeare’s London
Before Dickens transformed Victorian London into literature, William Shakespeare was creating another literary revolution in the capital.
Shakespeare came to London from Stratford-upon-Avon and established himself as an actor, playwright and theatre shareholder.
His greatest connection with London is the theatre.
The original Globe Theatre stood on the south bank of the Thames in Bankside and was associated with Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and later the King’s Men.
Today, you can visit Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the famous Elizabethan theatre.
It is one of the best places in London to experience Shakespeare rather than simply read about him.
You can take a guided tour, learn about Elizabethan theatre and, when performances are scheduled, watch Shakespeare performed in a theatre designed around the traditions of the original Globe. Visit London’s official visitor guide describes it as a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse in which Shakespeare worked.
Allow: 1–2 hours for the exhibition and tour, or longer if attending a performance.
The perfect Shakespeare walk
Combine the Globe with:
- Southwark Cathedral
- The George Inn
- Borough Market
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Tate Modern
- Millennium Bridge
- St Paul’s Cathedral
This makes an excellent half-day or full-day literary walk.
Samuel Johnson and Fleet Street
Another fascinating chapter in London’s literary history belongs to Dr Samuel Johnson.
Johnson was one of the most important literary figures of eighteenth-century England and is best remembered for compiling his Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755.
His former home at 17 Gough Square survives as Dr Johnson’s House.
The small townhouse provides a glimpse into eighteenth-century literary London and the working life of a writer who played an enormous role in shaping the English language.
It is particularly interesting when combined with a walk around Fleet Street, one of London’s historic centres of journalism and publishing.
John Keats in Hampstead
For a completely different literary experience, head north to Hampstead.
Keats House is the Regency villa where the Romantic poet John Keats lived from 1818 to 1820.
It was here that Keats found inspiration, friendship and love, and where he wrote some of his best-known poetry.
One of the most famous stories associated with the house is the composition of Ode to a Nightingale in the garden in 1819.
The house provides an intimate contrast with the scale of Dickens’s London.
Instead of a bustling Victorian metropolis, you are exploring the world of a young Romantic poet whose life was tragically short.
Keats died in Rome in 1821, aged only 25.
Allow: around 1 hour.
After visiting Keats House, take time to explore Hampstead itself. Hampstead Heath provides some of the best countryside-like walking within London and is a perfect place to slow down after exploring the city.
Virginia Woolf and Bloomsbury
London’s literary history did not end with the Victorians.
In the early twentieth century, Bloomsbury became associated with an influential group of writers, artists and intellectuals.
Among them was Virginia Woolf, whose novels include:
• Mrs Dalloway
• To the Lighthouse
• The Waves
• Orlando
• Jacob’s Room
Woolf and the wider Bloomsbury Group were associated with the streets and squares around Bloomsbury, where writers, artists and intellectuals gathered.
Gordon Square and the surrounding streets are particularly interesting for anyone wanting to explore this period of London’s literary history.
A walk around Bloomsbury can easily be combined with the Charles Dickens Museum, making this one of the most productive literary areas of London to explore on foot.
Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes
London also created one of the most famous fictional characters in the world.
Sherlock Holmes, created by Arthur Conan Doyle, is permanently associated with Baker Street.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street recreates the fictional detective’s Victorian lodgings, complete with period objects and references to Holmes and Dr Watson. It is one of London’s most recognisable literary attractions.
Even if you are not a dedicated Sherlock Holmes fan, Baker Street is an enjoyable stop on a literary tour.
And there is something particularly satisfying about visiting a real London street for an address belonging to a fictional character.
George Orwell and twentieth-century London
George Orwell is another writer whose relationship with London is worth exploring.
Orwell lived and worked in London at various points in his life, and the city features prominently in his experiences and writing.
For visitors interested in Orwell, the British Library is also worth adding to the itinerary. Its enormous collections contain manuscripts and literary treasures from writers across centuries.
The British Library is particularly useful for a literary trip because it broadens the experience beyond individual writers and allows you to explore Britain’s wider literary heritage.
London’s literary bookshops
No literary visit to London should be entirely about museums and historic houses.
Give yourself time to visit some of the city’s great bookshops.
Hatchards
Founded in 1797, Hatchards is one of London’s oldest bookshops and remains a landmark for anyone who loves books.
Its location on Piccadilly makes it easy to combine with St James’s, Trafalgar Square and the West End.
Foyles
On Charing Cross Road, Foyles is one of London’s best-known bookshops and a destination in its own right.
Charing Cross Road has long been associated with books, publishing and London’s literary culture.
London Review Bookshop
Near the British Museum, the London Review Bookshop is another excellent stop for serious readers, with a strong selection of fiction, history, poetry and literary criticism.
A perfect three-day literary London itinerary
Day 1 – Dickens and Victorian London
Begin at the Charles Dickens Museum.
Spend the morning exploring Dickens’s former home before walking through Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell.
Continue towards Fleet Street and visit Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.
Walk towards St Paul’s Cathedral and then cross the Millennium Bridge.
Finish the day on the South Bank.
If you have the energy, see a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Day 2 – Shakespeare’s London
Begin at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Take the guided tour and explore the exhibition before walking around Bankside.
Visit The George Inn and Borough Market.
Continue along the Thames towards Tower Bridge or cross the river towards St Paul’s.
In the evening, book a Shakespeare performance if one is available.
There is something rather special about watching Shakespeare beside the Thames, only a short distance from where the original Globe once stood.
Day 3 – Keats, Bloomsbury and literary London
Start in Hampstead at Keats House.
Explore Hampstead Heath and the village before returning towards central London.
Spend the afternoon at the British Library or British Museum.
Finish your literary adventure browsing the bookshops around Charing Cross Road and Piccadilly.
If you have more time, add Dr Johnson’s House or the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
5 Famous Shakespeare’s Quotes
Shakespeare’s extraordinary ability to capture human experience in a few words is one reason his plays remain so widely read and performed today. As you explore Stratford-upon-Avon, you will encounter the words of a writer whose language has become part of everyday English.
“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
— Hamlet
“All the world’s a stage.”
— As You Like It
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
— Twelfth Night
“If music be the food of love, play on.”
— Twelfth Night
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”
— The Tempest
Frequently Asked Questions About Literary London
Are there literary walking tours in London?
Yes. Walking is one of the best ways to explore London’s literary history. You can follow routes associated with Dickens, Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and other writers, discovering historic buildings, streets, pubs, theatres and locations that feature in their lives and books.
Can I visit the homes of famous writers in London?
Several writers’ former homes are open to visitors. These include the Charles Dickens Museum, Keats House in Hampstead and Dr Johnson’s House near Fleet Street.
These historic homes provide an opportunity to see where writers lived and worked and learn more about the environments in which some of their most famous works were created.
What books are associated with London?
Thousands of books have used London as a setting or inspiration. Some notable examples include Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, Mrs Dalloway, 1984, The Picture of Dorian Gray and the Sherlock Holmes stories.
London’s literary history spans centuries, so there is something for almost every type of reader.
Is Literary London suitable for a day trip?
Yes. Although you could spend several days exploring London’s literary heritage, many of the major attractions are relatively close together or easily accessible by public transport.
A one-day literary itinerary could combine Shakespeare’s Globe, the South Bank, the Charles Dickens Museum and several historic literary locations in central London.
What is the best area of London for literature lovers?
There isn’t one single literary quarter. London’s literary heritage is spread across the capital.
Bloomsbury is particularly important for writers and intellectuals, while Hampstead has strong connections with poets and writers. The South Bank is closely associated with Shakespeare and the Elizabethan theatre, while Fleet Street and the City have centuries of literary connections.
When is the best time to explore Literary London?
London’s literary attractions can be enjoyed throughout the year. Spring and summer are particularly good for literary walks and exploring outdoor locations, while autumn and winter can be ideal for visiting museums, historic houses, libraries and theatres.
It’s also worth checking for literary festivals, exhibitions, theatre productions and author events taking place during your visit.
Can I combine Literary London with other literary destinations?
Yes. London makes an excellent starting point for a wider literary tour of Britain. You could combine a visit to London with Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakespeare, Haworth for the Brontës, Bath for Jane Austen, Whitby for Bram Stoker and Chawton for Jane Austen.
This makes it possible to create a literary journey around several of Britain’s most important destinations.
Why is London such an important literary destination?
London has been a centre of British cultural and intellectual life for centuries. Writers have lived, worked, performed, socialised and found inspiration here, while its streets and neighbourhoods have provided settings for countless novels and stories.
For visitors, that means London’s literary heritage isn’t confined to museums. The city itself is the attraction. You can walk the same streets, visit the same neighbourhoods and discover the places that inspired some of the world’s best-known writers and characters.
Can I visit Shakespeare’s London?
Yes. Shakespeare spent much of his professional life in London, where he established himself as a playwright and actor.
Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s South Bank is a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre. Visitors can take tours, see performances and learn more about Shakespeare’s theatrical world.
Where can I visit Charles Dickens’ London?
Dickens lived and worked in several parts of London, and many locations feature in his novels. The Charles Dickens Museum at 48 Doughty Street in Bloomsbury occupies the author’s former home and contains an extensive collection relating to his life and work.
You can also explore locations associated with Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol and other Dickens novels throughout the capital.
Which famous writers are associated with London?
London has connections with hundreds of writers. Some of the best known include Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, Samuel Pepys, Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde and Dr Samuel Johnson.
The city has also featured prominently in the lives and works of writers including Jane Austen, H.G. Wells and J.M. Barrie.
Is there a literature festival in London?
Yes. London hosts several prominent literature and book festivals throughout the year.
London Literature Festival: Held annually at the Southbank Centre, this is the city’s largest flagship celebration of books, featuring prominent authors, poets, and live performances (with the autumn edition starting in late October 2026).
Queen’s Park Book Festival: An annual community-focused festival in northwest London celebrating local and international literary talent with a focus on diverse and under-represented voices.
Wimbledon BookFest: A leading annual cultural charity festival in southwest London that brings together prominent contemporary writers, public figures, and international discussions.