Gothic Literature gained popularity in the late 1700s with the publication of Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto. Since then, readers of the genre have been captivated by the wild landscapes and imposing castles and country estates that act as settings. Luckily for fans of the genre, some of the most famous Gothic works were inspired by real locations around the UK.
How Did Haworth in West Yorkshire Influence the Bronte Sisters?
Haworth was the home of the famous Brontë Sisters. The parsonage that was their home is now a fantastic museum open to visitors. From their home, visitors can walk in the footsteps of the Brontes, exploring the wild moors and ruined houses that inspired them to create a collection of memorable Gothic novels. Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte in 1847 is the one most embedded in the landscape of Haworth today as a ruined farmhouse ‘Top Withens’, reputedly the inspiration for ‘Wuthering Heights’, can be found on the desolate moor.
Did Whitby in North Yorkshire Inspire Bram Stoker?
When Bram Stoker was searching for a location for his vampire to land in England, he was on holiday in Whitby. This delightful seaside resort is full of charming cobbled streets, tea rooms and crooked passageways. However, looming over the town are the ruins of Whitby Abbey; a relic of the dissolution of the monasteries with its crumbling graveyard and Gothic carvings. Stoker immediately saw the dramatic potential in placing Dracula’s arrival in England here. Now a favorite location for Gothic conventions, Whitby even has a Dracula museum, making the town a must visit location for lovers of Gothic literature.
What Did Horace Walpole Write About Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham?
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Although less well known now, Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto was a huge commercial success when published in 1764. Walpole had built his Gothic revivalist palace, Strawberry Hill House, painstakingly over several years. Keen to include the various Gothic features he so admired in other great architecture, additional towers, minarets, hidden rooms and staircases were added until he finally considered the project complete in 1776.
Whilst working on his home, Walpole undoubtedly felt the influence of his new surroundings and claimed to have a monstrous vision of a disembodied hand in full armor. This was the spark of creativity that led to him writing The Castle of Otranto, now termed the ‘first Gothic novel’. Visitors to Strawberry Hill House will enjoy soaking up the Gothic atmosphere including some eerie items on display including a portrait of a murderess and a clock given to Anne Boleyn.
Which Gothic Stories Were Set in Bath, Somerset?
Genteel, Georgian Bath is a popular destination for visitors to the UK for a multitude of reasons: Roman Baths, Jane Austen, Christmas Markets…it regularly tops the list of must visit destinations all year round. In addition to this, fans of Gothic literature will find plenty to interest them.
As the most iconic resident author, there are references to Jane Austen throughout Bath. Austen used the city as a pivotal setting for her 1817 Gothic parody, Northanger Abbey. In the novel, the heroine, Catherine Morland, enjoys a lengthy trip to Bath visiting all the popular sites including the Assembly Rooms, Pump Room, the Royal Crescent, and shopping on Milsom Street. Catherine’s love of novels, in particular Gothic fiction, means she views everyday occurrences through the lens of intrigue and horror.
While tracing Catherine Morland’s fictional path, visitors to Bath may also stumble across reference to another Gothic icon: Mary Shelley. Frankenstein was famously conceived during a holiday in Geneva in 1816. But Shelley visited Bath and attended scientific lectures there in the same year. There is a blue plaque commemorating this in the Pump Room.
What Did Daphne du Maurier Write About Fowey in Cornwall?
Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic romance, Rebecca, is situated on the wild Cornish coast. Opening with ‘Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again,’ the novel evokes the atmosphere of the rough landscape as well as the austere and imposing facade of the country estate: Manderley. Though a fictional creation, the house was modelled on the home Du Maurier lived in for over twenty years: Menabilly.
Although she leased a smaller house from the Rashleigh family, she was inspired by the romance and mystery of the vast estate situated so close to the rocky cliffs. Today, fans of the Gothic can rent holiday homes in the grounds and fully immerse themselves in the rugged Cornish landscape.
