King's College Chapel seen across the lawns of the Backs
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4-day template

Bookish Britain by rail

Libraries, writers' houses and bookish streets across four cities.

Adds these 14 places to My trip and sets the 4 days. You can change anything there. Nothing leaves your browser.

Where
London, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh
Suits
Book lovers, Rainy-day travellers, Couples
Season
Any season; libraries and museums are indoors. Check opening days.
Pace
Relaxed. Mostly indoor stops, so it holds up well in poor weather.
  • Step-free access reported at 2 of 14 stops
  • No stops marked family-friendly in our guides

How this was chosen. Taken from our itinerary of the same name. Journey times between cities are on the itinerary page, where an official source gives them.

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.

Day by day

Save any stop on its own with the heart, or copy the whole template above.

  1. Day 1 · London

    London: Dickens and Shakespeare

    1. Charles Dickens Museum

      Museum · Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

      A museum in a Bloomsbury house.

      Our guide to Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia

    2. The Lamb & Flag

      Historic pub · Soho & Covent Garden

      Said to have been a favourite of Charles Dickens.

      Our guide to Soho & Covent Garden

    3. Shakespeare's Globe

      Attraction · The South Bank

      Plays and tours.

      Our guide to The South Bank

    4. Keats House

      House museum · Hampstead & Primrose Hill

      In Hampstead.

      Our guide to Hampstead & Primrose Hill

  2. Day 2 · Oxford

    Oxford: libraries and stories

    1. Bodleian Library

      Library · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      Tours need booking.

      Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

    2. Weston Library

      Library · Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

      Check the official site for exhibitions.

      Our guide to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles

    3. The Story Museum

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

      A museum for children's stories.

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

  3. Day 3 · Cambridge

    Cambridge: the Wren Library

    1. Wren Library

      Library · Colleges and the Backs

      Open times are limited; check Trinity College.

      Our guide to Colleges and the Backs

    2. Trinity College

      College · Colleges and the Backs

      Check visitor hours.

      Our guide to Colleges and the Backs

    3. Grantchester

      Village · Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

      A village south of the city.

      Our guide to Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

    4. Fitzwilliam Museum

      Museum · Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Our guide to Museums, Botanic Garden and the South

  4. Day 4 · Edinburgh

    Edinburgh: writers and the Old Town

    1. Writers' Museum

      Museum · Old Town & Royal Mile

      A museum about Burns, Scott and Stevenson.

      Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile

    2. Scott Monument

      Monument · New Town

      A monument to Sir Walter Scott.

      Our guide to New Town

    3. National Museum of Scotland

      Museum · Grassmarket & Southside

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Our guide to Grassmarket & Southside

Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This template is independent and unofficial. Travel between places is not planned here: check National Rail.

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