This week’s Book Blogger Hop asks if you have ever gone to the location of a book. Well, yes. In fact, I posted about it way back in 2012, in a post called “Going There Because Of Books.” No point in going into great detail here, but I’ve been to book places both here and in England simply because I read about them in a book, or, in one case, heard about it in a song.
That was the song “Nottingham Goose Fair”. I heard it on a recording a friend sent me which was bought at the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre. It’s a bouncy little song about the delights of the Nottingham Goose Fair, which is held every year in October. My mother and I were in England at just the right time and I’d been to a Blake’s 7 con the week before. To be honest, I mostly went for Robin Hood, but I made sure we went to the Goose Fair which, I believe, has been going for hundreds of years, if not in its present form. There was not really a lot to do for adults, though I was tempted to check out one of the many fortune teller tents, for fun. It was mostly rides, and the rides were tiny, aimed strictly at children. But we did discover the delights of chip butties, which were, at that place, buttered rolls with hot chips in them. Mum still puts her chips in a roll.
I went to Shrewsbury for the Brother Cadfael novels, which were hugely popular at the time and bringing in a nice amount of tourist money for the town. A gorgeous town, and you could pick out the streets Ellis Peters had written about, she did it so accurately.
I went to York for Richard III, who has appeared in my large collection of historical novels, and met two pen pals who travelled there to meet me.
You can find more details of my overseas book adventures in my old post and do feel welcome to comment, I’ll get them in my inbox.
In Australia I’ve gone to a couple of places mentioned in Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher novels, which are set in the 1920s. The Queenscliff Hotel was in the second novel, Flying Too High, and Phryne treats everyone to breakfast and dinner there. It’s a stunningly beautiful hotel, with stained glass windows and Art Deco design all over the place. I haven’t been in a while, since the Sorrento Youth Hostel closed down. I used to stay every year during term holidays, taking a ferry to Queenscliff and having my lunch on the hotel verandah, where there was a lovely view out to sea.
I also enjoy having afternoon tea at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne, famous for its high teas. Phryne stayed there in the first novel, Cocaine Blues, just because she could, now being rich. A friend of mine from Brisbane was staying there once and I suggested we try the High Tea for fun, because of the Phryne Fisher novel. I’ve gone several times since then.
It’s nice to be still able to visit places mentioned in historical fiction, don’t you think? Where have you been that you read about?
That was the song “Nottingham Goose Fair”. I heard it on a recording a friend sent me which was bought at the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre. It’s a bouncy little song about the delights of the Nottingham Goose Fair, which is held every year in October. My mother and I were in England at just the right time and I’d been to a Blake’s 7 con the week before. To be honest, I mostly went for Robin Hood, but I made sure we went to the Goose Fair which, I believe, has been going for hundreds of years, if not in its present form. There was not really a lot to do for adults, though I was tempted to check out one of the many fortune teller tents, for fun. It was mostly rides, and the rides were tiny, aimed strictly at children. But we did discover the delights of chip butties, which were, at that place, buttered rolls with hot chips in them. Mum still puts her chips in a roll.
I went to Shrewsbury for the Brother Cadfael novels, which were hugely popular at the time and bringing in a nice amount of tourist money for the town. A gorgeous town, and you could pick out the streets Ellis Peters had written about, she did it so accurately.
I went to York for Richard III, who has appeared in my large collection of historical novels, and met two pen pals who travelled there to meet me.
You can find more details of my overseas book adventures in my old post and do feel welcome to comment, I’ll get them in my inbox.
In Australia I’ve gone to a couple of places mentioned in Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher novels, which are set in the 1920s. The Queenscliff Hotel was in the second novel, Flying Too High, and Phryne treats everyone to breakfast and dinner there. It’s a stunningly beautiful hotel, with stained glass windows and Art Deco design all over the place. I haven’t been in a while, since the Sorrento Youth Hostel closed down. I used to stay every year during term holidays, taking a ferry to Queenscliff and having my lunch on the hotel verandah, where there was a lovely view out to sea.
I also enjoy having afternoon tea at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne, famous for its high teas. Phryne stayed there in the first novel, Cocaine Blues, just because she could, now being rich. A friend of mine from Brisbane was staying there once and I suggested we try the High Tea for fun, because of the Phryne Fisher novel. I’ve gone several times since then.
It’s nice to be still able to visit places mentioned in historical fiction, don’t you think? Where have you been that you read about?
16 comments:
I visited Raglan Castle in Wales after reading about it in a novel (Christina Courtenay's The Velvet Cloak of Midnight). Part of the novel was set during the Civil War, and even though it's a ruin now, I was able to picture where some of the scenes took place. Likewise Hardwick Hall, which I read about in Elizabeth Fremantle's The Girl in the Glass Tower. The Nottingham Goose Fair does sound like it would be fun.
My next visit to the UK will have to include those places. Yes, the Goose Fair is great fun.
I went to Tintagel after reading about it in The Mists of Avalon.
I’ve seen pictures of Tintagel. Definitely a place to visit!
Hi Sue - I've been to those places but not because of the books ... just because; but I'd add Baker Street for Sherlock Holmes and Buckingham Palace for seeing the Queen 'Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat ...' but lots of other places too - Stratford ... lovely thoughts - cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary! I’ve been to Baker St, many years ago. There was a bank, I think, at 221, but the station had little Sherlock Holmes pictures decorating the walls. I’ve see. The Changing of thr Guard, which was a lot more spectacular than I was expecting, and yes, I‘ve visited Stratford. Oh, and one place I forgot to mention was 84 Charing Cross Road, the real location of a bookshop many years ago, though when I passed it, it was a music shop. Not sure what’s there now.
I can't say that I have. But if I ever make it to the UK I would definitely do Baker St. Would have to think about other locations - not something I've thought about before.
Baker St is not very exciting. It does have its own Underground station, which pays tribute to Sherlock Holmes. Next time you’re in Melbourne join me for High Tea at the Windsor! Kerry Greenwood’s crime novels are pretty much counted as cosies, especially Corinna Chapman, and the Melbourne CBD is the setting for those books, while the Phryne Fisher stories are mostly in St Kilda(I’ll take you to the Esplanade, where Miss Fisher’s house was supposed to be).
I went to 221 Baker Street because of Sherlock Holmes - they've made it into a SH museum with rooms set out like Holmes and Watson were real ppl who lived there. I went to Cortina in Tuscany because of Under the Tuscan Sun. The museum is wonderful and there is a Futurists gallery. The streets were tiny and steep and there were rails on the sides of buildings so you could haul yourself up. I've been to Stratford upon Avon, not because of Shakespere as such - well, my sister wanted to visit because of S and we saw Anne's house which was lovely. I've been to Royal Park Rehab for work but that is also where they filmed the hospital scene for Phyrne Fisher.
Alas, I was last in Baker St way back in the 1980s, when there was a boring bank on the site, with a small plaque on the door. Next visit! The Tuscan town sounds gorgeous! I’ve been to Stratford with my Mum and a pen pal. We saw Anne’s house, and I thought at the time - maybe Shakespeare sat on that bench with his fiancée? Even more exciting for me, though, was walking past the Tourist information office, which had a plaque on it telling us that Shakespeare’s daughter Judith lived there with her husband. And they were still using it! Maybe there’s a museum there too by now..?
I'll be in Melbourne next year... =)
Excellent! Let me know when you’re coming and we’ll meet. You can find my email address under “Review and posting policy and contact.”
Fascinating post, Sue!! I would LOVE to visit England, as I ADORE British literature! This is the land of King Arthur, Robin Hood, Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes, and, of course, Harry Potter!! You are SO lucky to have been able to go there....sigh...
The English countryside, as described in the Bronte and Hardy novels, is simply and absolutely GORGEOUS!! When I've reread "Jane Eyre" in the past, I've gotten SO nostalgic for a land I've never seen....Lol. Maybe there IS something to reincarnation, huh?
You know, I've never heard of the Brother Cadfael novels. I'll have to check out these books on Goodreads.
Australia sounds like a delightful place, too! I would certainly LOVE to visit the Queenscliff Hotel! I'll be sure to check out the Phryne Fisher novels, as well!
Thanks for sharing!! Hope you're having a WONDERFUL weekend!! <3 :)
You should consider England for your next holiday. You live a lot closer than I do - the flight would be cheaper and much shorter. If you go to York - a gorgeous city! - you should be able to take a half day tour of the Moors, where the Bronte novels are set. I missed out on the day I was there, I think it was sold out, but I visited the Dales, site of All Creatures Great And Small, those lovely, gentle books by James Herriot, a vet who lived and worked there in the 1930s. Brother Cadfael is the hero of a series of mediaeval murder mysteries set in the time of the war between King Stephen and Empress Maud. Cadfael is a Welsh Benedictine monk living at the abbey in Shrewsbury. He is the herbalist, making medications for the monks and anyone else who needs them. And people WILL keep getting murdered! Fortunately, Brother Cadfael has forensic observation skills and, with the help of his “cop” buddy, Hugh Beringar, solves the murders every time. You might see if you can get hold of the TV series with Derek Jacobi, who also reads the audiobooks.
Gee, I do wish I could go visit England....money's the problem, as well as taking time off work. Otherwise, I'd go in a heartbeat!! :)
The books about Brother Cadfael sound TERRIFIC!! I am putting them on my Goodreads shelves! I will try to get a hold of the TV series, as well! Thanks!! <3 :)
I do hope you can make it to England some time. Meanwhile, I know you’ll enjoy Brother Cadfael, books and TV show. There are a few episodes on YouTube, if you’re curious.
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