The UK’s Leading Lit-Trips for 2025

Have you ever found yourself sinking into a good book and imagining how the locations, sights, and architecture would look in real life? There’s something special about bringing a story to life through lived experiences, and that’s exactly what lit-trips are all about.
Immersing yourself in a story’s real-life environment makes for an excellent trip, whether you’re a true bookworm or just have a few favourite tales.
To help you plan the perfect British lit-trip, FlixBus conducted a thorough study to reveal the UK’s leading literary-inspired hotspots. Firstly, we collated a list of UK locations which are synonymous with certain literature works, authors and libraries, and then analysed travel-related searches on Google, Instagram posts, and TikTok hashtag views to evaluate demand. Finally, we developed a weighted index, scoring each location out of 100.
Without further ado, get your FlixBus app at the ready because here are the UK’s lit-trip hotspots for your summer bucket list. Move over set-jetting, lit-tripping is the hottest travel trend to get onboard with right now.
Discover our recommendations:
What are ‘Lit-Trips’?
Lit-trips, or literary trips, are travel experiences inspired by books, authors or libraries. Lit travel involves visiting places associated with literary works, including settings from books, the homes of authors, or locations that inspired the writing. This type of travel can also range from visiting physical locations to participating in festivals and book events.
Books have long been a part of travel, with many of us settling down by the beach with a good read. However, book tourism is having a real moment in 2025. From the rise of digital detoxing with a novel to the growing BookTok for fresh inspiration, there is a real sense of momentum in book tourism.
What are the top five UK lit-trip destinations for 2025?
The UK has a rich history of producing some of the world’s greatest authors and most well-loved novels. From William Shakespeare and Beatrix Potter to J.R.R. Tolkien and Jane Austen, Britain is a haven for literature-inspired travel.
Through our extensive study of 67 tourist destinations which are connected to books, authors and libraries, we’ve broken it down to the top five lit-travel destinations you should pin for this year.

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1. Harry Potter WB Studio Tour, London
Arguably one of the most famous book series to come out of the UK, the Harry Potter novels have inspired many readers to travel around the UK in search of wizarding wonders. The first book was published in 1997, though the series quickly became a global phenomenon on screen, leading to multiple generations of “Potterheads.
One of the most in-demand hot spots is, of course, the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London, which scored 90 out of 100 in our analysis. For more than 10 years, the Harry Potter books were transformed into magical films at this studio, leaving behind a plethora of keepsakes 🪄✨.
Today, you can immerse yourself in the Harry Potter series by exploring the Hogwarts Great Hall, Forbidden Forest, and Gringott’s Wizarding Bank, alongside thousands of props and behind-the-scenes secrets.
A bus to London with FlixBus will get you within reach of this muggle-free zone.

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2. Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
As a pioneer of fiction in the 18th century, Jane Austen is renowned all over the world for her literary novels, such as the heartwarming Pride and Prejudice. Whether you fell in love with the story of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy at school or you came to know the novel via film, Pride and Prejudice is one of the UK’s most-loved books.
Links between Chatsworth House and Pride and Prejudice are plenty, making it a top destination for fans of Pride and Prejudice, with our analysis ranking this destination 51 out of 100.
It is widely believed that Jane Austen drew inspiration from Chatsworth House for Mr Darcy’s estate, Pemberley, during a visit to Bakewell. Strengthening the connection, the 2005 film adaptation was also filmed here.
Now’s the perfect time to visit Chatsworth House, with a new six-part series based on the novel due to be released by Netflix in 2026. Although filming locations are still unknown, a lit-trip to Chatsworth House is the ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in the story 💕.

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3. 221b Baker Street, London
Created by British Author, Arthur Conan Doyle, the character of Sherlock Holmes is a much-loved detective among literary fans. With 56 short stories and four novels, the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his home at 221b Baker Street are well-read all over the world 🕵️.
For lovers of the Sherlock Holmes stories, a visit to one of the world’s most famous addresses is a must. 221b Baker Street in Marylebone is home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, where visitors can experience what life was like in Victorian London.
With knowledgeable guides in period costumes as well as an extensive collection of memorabilia, this lit-trip is a truly immersive experience.
Our analysis ranked 221b Baker Street at 30 out of 100, driven by both literature fans and movie buffs. While the Sherlock Holmes film with Benedict Cumberbatch was released in 2009, the recent Enola Holmes film has also likely driven interest in this location.
A bus to London with FlixBus can whisk you into the world of Sherlock Holmes 🔎.

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4. Shakespeare’s Globe, London
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest writers. Most know of his literary works from school, ranging from Hamlet and Macbeth to Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream 🎭.
Scoring 24 out of 100 in our analysis, Shakespeare’s Globe in London is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, the Elizabethan playhouse that often hosted the plays that Shakespeare wrote. Originally built in 1599, the Globe Theatre was located on the south bank of the River Thames, where the reconstruction now sits.
Visitors to Shakespeare’s Globe can enjoy the incredible works of William Shakespeare, among other playwrights, in an immersive open-air environment where audience participation is always encouraged. A must-visit for Shakespeare fans, this lit-trip hotspot is located near London Bridge underground station. You can easily catch a FlixBus bus to London before hopping on the London underground.

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5. Harry Potter filming locations, UK-wide
Harry Potter once again graces our lit-trip list, with its intricate plots, compelling storylines and extensive character development making this a firm favourite for book tourism. Even for those who have never picked up a Harry Potter novel, the film adaptations have sparked a love for the stories, leading many to explore the filming locations ✨.
The Harry Potter movies were filmed in locations all over the UK across an entire decade. From Leavesden Studio and King’s Cross Station in London to Durham Cathedral and various locations in Scotland, Harry Potter lit-trips can take place all over the UK.
They’re also easy to get to, whether it’s a bus to Edinburgh to explore the inspiration behind Diagon Alley or a bus to London to visit the iconic King’s Cross Station.
Potterheads can enjoy interior locations such as the University of Oxford, where the Hogwarts Great Hall and Library scenes were filmed, or explore the magnificent Alnwick Castle and Ashbridge Estate, which featured prominently for exterior shots of Hogwarts.
What other UK locations are considered to be lit-trip hotspots for visiting in 2025?
Whilst we have only detailed the top five book tourism destinations from our research, there is a broader range of 20 locations to discover. No gatekeeping here. For a full list of UK lit-trip destinations, check out the full index results below:
Rank No.
| Lit-Trip Destination | Google Searches | YoY Searches Change | TikTok Posts | IG Posts | Google Searches | YoY Searches Change | TikTok Posts | IG Posts | Total Score (out of 100) |
1 | Harry Potter WB Studio Tour London | 409,560 | 10% | 11,136 | 889,000 | 50.00 | 0.35 | 15.00 | 25.00 | 90.35 |
2 | Chatsworth House | 274,380 | 47% | 3,955 | 357,000 | 33.50 | 1.68 | 5.33 | 10.04 | 50.55 |
3 | 221b Baker Street | 163,570 | -2% | 5,276 | 109,000 | 19.97 | -0.08 | 7.11 | 3.07 | 30.06 |
4 | Shakespeare's Globe | 147,640 | -4% | 1,104 | 181,000 | 18.02 | -0.14 | 1.49 | 5.09 | 24.46 |
5 | Harry Potter Filming Locations | 57,110 | -24% | 7,202 | 85,917 | 6.97 | -0.87 | 9.70 | 2.42 | 18.22 |
6 | The British Library | 96,840 | 0% | 2,078 | 106,000 | 11.82 | 0.01 | 2.80 | 2.98 | 17.61 |
7 | William Shakespeare Birthplace | 64,730 | 3% | 1,176 | 78,213 | 7.90 | 0.11 | 1.58 | 2.20 | 11.80 |
8 | Swallows and Amazons Locations | 380 | 282% | 33 | 3,300 | 0.05 | 10.00 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 10.18 |
9 | Jane Austen Centre | 36,270 | 89% | 148 | 439 | 4.43 | 3.16 | 0.20 | 0.01 | 7.80 |
10 | Rosslyn Chapel | 40,990 | 30% | 457 | 34,600 | 5.00 | 1.05 | 0.62 | 0.97 | 7.64 |
11 | Charles Dickens Museum | 42,180 | 18% | 66 | 11,600 | 5.15 | 0.63 | 0.09 | 0.33 | 6.19 |
12 | Jane Austen's House | 25,490 | 52% | 173 | 14,200 | 3.11 | 1.83 | 0.23 | 0.40 | 5.57 |
13 | Hill Top | 35,110 | 29% | 22 | 7,336 | 4.29 | 1.04 | 0.03 | 0.21 | 5.57 |
14 | Keats’ House | 30,320 | 28% | 47 | 5,350 | 3.70 | 1.00 | 0.06 | 0.15 | 4.91 |
15 | Anne Hathaway’s Cottage | 36,310 | -21% | 26 | 20,800 | 4.43 | -0.74 | 0.04 | 0.58 | 4.31 |
16 | Dove Cottage | 24,910 | 19% | 125 | 4,797 | 3.04 | 0.67 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 4.01 |
17 | Ashdown Forest | 5,490 | 29% | 1,118 | 17,200 | 0.67 | 1.02 | 1.51 | 0.48 | 3.68 |
18 | Top Withens / Bronte Waterfalls | 13,260 | 20% | 197 | 14,050 | 1.62 | 0.72 | 0.27 | 0.40 | 3.00 |
19 | Bridgerton Filming Locations | 12,510 | 34% | 81 | 540 | 1.53 | 1.21 | 0.11 | 0.02 | 2.86 |
20 | Thomas Hardy's Cottage | 2,080 | 55% | 0 | 3,400 | 0.25 | 1.94 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 2.29 |
Be inspired to embark on a UK lit-trip with affordable bus tickets from FlixBus
With lit-trip inspiration all across the UK, FlixBus offers affordable, greener, and a more convenient way to travel. Whether you’re exploring the Scottish Highlands in search of a muggle-free adventure or whizzing around London to immerse yourself in the history of the UK’s best authors, FlixBus can get you there 📚.
Literary travellers can easily buy affordable bus tickets online, directly from the driver, or via the app. Once you’re onboard, it’s smooth sailing, with plenty of legroom, toilets, power outlets, and WiFi all included in your ticket price.
Methodology
We started off by creating an initial list of 67 tourist destinations that are connected to famous books and authors. We then created a weighted rank index to rank the most in demand book inspired tourist spots. The index is based on the following four factors, with their weightings listed below, to give each destination a final index score out of 100. Data correct as of April 2025.
Google Searches (50%): Using Ahrefs to create an initial seed list of keywords related to the book and/or destination and topics such as travel, tours, etc. We then used this seed list to get UK search volume data for the last 12 months from Google Keyword Planner.
Google Searches YoY Change (10%): From the same list of keywords, we also recorded the YoY % change from Google Keyword Planner to discover which keywords and destinations are trending up the most.
TikTok Hashtag Views (15%): We looked up relevant hashtags on TikTok related to the book and the destination and recorded the combined number of posts for each destination.
Instagram Posts (25%): We looked up the location of each tourist attraction on Instagram and recorded the number of posts tagged at the location. For destinations where there were multiple variations of the attraction tagged with 100+ posts, we added the sum of these together for the final number.