Great Britain Travel Books

I'll be in Great Britain the last two weeks of May! England is a destination as romantic, magical and fun as it's full of culture and history. These books may be of interest to you if you plan on visiting Great Britain in the future. 

Imagined London is for the anti-tourist, or those who'd rather consider themselves explorers or travelers. Reflecting on her favorite authors, such as Charles Dickens, Henry James and Doris Lessing, Quindlen makes London come alive. She points us to well known places such as Royal Albert Hall and lesser known places such as Poets' Corner. While commenting on language gaps and the complexity of globalization, Quindlen makes a valid and entertaining case for why London is the literary hub of the world. 

In the Land of Giants Author and archeologist Max Adams takes readers on a journey by foot through the Dark Ages using the landscape, books, metalwork and more to elucidate the mysterious and fascinating history of Great Britain, helping us understand it's socio-political and architectural climate today. 

Literary Trails, published by the National Trust, is a great introduction for those who need to brush up on their bookish knowledge before heading across the pond. Alongside gorgeous colored photos are hefty biographies of literary greats and the landscapes that inspired them. This encyclopedic text will thrill the traveler pre-departure. 

A Reader's Guide to Writers' Britain I plan on bringing this one with me. It's split up into chapters named "The West Country", "Eastern England", "The Midlands and the Cotswolds" and "Wales and the Marches", to name a few. Each chapter features references to writers (both authors and scriptwriters) inspired by specific regions and landmarks. Broad and idiosyncratic details about places such as Shandy Hall and Harvard House are found throughout the entire book, making this a handy (if heavy) guidebook. 

Shakespeare's Theatre Serving as the perfect introduction to Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London, readers will learn about the rough and tumble lives of actors as well the the patrons who had to finance them. The book also includes important information about the engineering and architecture of the original theaters built during the Medieval Times and their newest reconstruction that stands today.