Bookish Britain by rail

Where

London, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh

Pace

Relaxed. Mostly indoor stops, so it holds up well in poor weather.

Best season

Any season; libraries and museums are indoors. Check opening days.

Suits

Book lovers, Rainy-day travellers, Couples

• Step-free access reported at 2 of 14 stops
• No stops marked family-friendly in our guides

Step-free and family flags come only from data we hold (OpenStreetMap contributors or the venue's own access page) and are not a full access check. Contact each venue before you go.

1. Day 1 · London

   London: Dickens and Shakespeare

   Overnight: London

   1. 1

      Charles Dickens Museum

      Museum · Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

      A museum in a Bloomsbury house.

      Show on map Our guide to Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia
   2. 2

      The Lamb & Flag

      Historic pub · Soho & Covent Garden

      

      Said to have been a favourite of Charles Dickens.

      Show on map Our guide to Soho & Covent Garden
   3. 3

      Shakespeare's Globe

      Attraction · The South Bank

      

      Plays and tours.

      Show on map Our guide to The South Bank
   4. 4

      Keats House

      House museum · Hampstead & Primrose Hill

      In Hampstead.

      Show on map Our guide to Hampstead & Primrose Hill

2. Day 2 · Oxford

   Oxford: libraries and stories

   Overnight: Oxford

   Getting from London to Oxford. By train: under an hour. Chiltern Railways says services from London Marylebone take under an hour. Source: Chiltern Railways, Oxford destination page (opens in new tab).

   1. 5

      Bodleian Library

      Library · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Tours need booking.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   2. 6

      Weston Library

      Library · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      

      Check the official site for exhibitions.

      Show on map Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles
   3. 7

      The Story Museum

      Museum · Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge

      

      A museum for children's stories.

      Show on map Our guide to Christ Church, St Aldate's and Folly Bridge

3. Day 3 · Cambridge

   Cambridge: the Wren Library

   Overnight: Cambridge

   Getting from Oxford to Cambridge. By train. There is no simple direct link: plan the journey and any changes on National Rail. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 8

      Wren Library

      Library · Colleges and the Backs

      

      Open times are limited; check Trinity College.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs
   2. 9

      Trinity College

      College · Colleges and the Backs

      

      Check visitor hours.

      Show on map Our guide to Colleges and the Backs
   3. 10

      Grantchester

      Village · Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

      

      A village south of the city.

      Show on map Our guide to Museums, Botanic Garden and the South
   4. 11

      Fitzwilliam Museum

      Museum · Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

      

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Show on map Our guide to Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

4. Day 4 · Edinburgh

   Edinburgh: writers and the Old Town

   Overnight: Edinburgh

   Getting from Cambridge to Edinburgh. By train. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 12

      Writers' Museum

      Museum · Old Town & Royal Mile

      

      A museum about Burns, Scott and Stevenson.

      Show on map Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile
   2. 13

      Scott Monument

      Monument · New Town

      

      A monument to Sir Walter Scott.

      Show on map Our guide to New Town
   3. 14

      National Museum of Scotland

      Museum · Grassmarket & Southside

      

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Show on map Our guide to Grassmarket & Southside

Rail times vary by day and operator, so only times from an official page are shown. Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This route is independent and unofficial.