Have you even enjoyed your summer if you haven’t planned a bookish trip? It is every reader’s fantasy to live in the worlds they’ve only imagined in their heads. The pleasure of escaping the grips of reality, mocking the scientific equations of time and space, tricking your own mind into believing what isn’t real — that is the magical beauty of reading. Here are ten places you must visit if you’ve grown up reading too many fantasy novels and crave places that have come alive from your own imagination.
Escape Into The Magic
J. R. R Tolkien’s The Hobbit
1. Hobbiton, New Zealand
In the scenic country of New Zealand, find yourself immersed in the world of the Hobbit. Experience the magic of the cottage and the forest with guided tours and walks at the Hobbiton.
2. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Travel around and explore the natural beauties of the Fiordland National Park and the country capital, Wellington. Follow down trails and walks to refresh your mind as you see the far-off green landscapes with your fellow imaginary friends, Gandalf and Bilbo.
3. Matamata, New Zealand
A small town in Waitako whose rural settings and green landscapes will immerse you in the village of the Hobbit. Small cottages and picturesque cycle trails are all you need for a serene getaway in the city.
J. K. Rowling’s The Harry Potter Series
1. Northumberland, Scotland
Amongst Scotland’s mountain ranges and bleak skies lies the home of Potterheads, the Alnwick Castle that was used for showing Hogwarts- The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Behold rich history and culture as you walk through the same gravel as the golden trio! Ride on broomsticks and get the ultimate Hogwarts student experience!
2. Fort William, Scotland
Hop on to one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys for an unmissable high tea experience- the Jacobite Express through the Glenfinnan Viaduct! If you’re crazy enough to hallucinate Harry and Ron in the flying car without Luna Lovegood’s Spectrespecs, I can vouch you’ll ace the Sorting Hat test into Ravenclaw!
3. Oxford University, Oxford, UK
The Bodleian Library, New College, and Christ Church, aka the Divinity Room, the courtyards of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, the Great Hall of Harry Potter, all lie within a walking distance of 15 minutes of each other. There you have it! Your own personalized Harry Potter walking tour!
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians
1. The Empire State Building, New York
Elevator, straight to the top, wait for the drop…going up *ding* 600th floor (it’s actually only the 86th floor, but you get the point)- Welcome to Olympus, demigods! Get a view of the splendid New York City as a bonus with the exhibits and tours of the building.
Pro Tip: Plan your visit during the early mornings or late afternoons to see the city that never sleeps literally glow with the sunrise or sunset.
2. Central Park, New York
While you’re already there with your F.R.I.E.N.D.S, be sure to visit the huge Central Park. Let the irony settle in, as you enjoy the park knowing very well how a war happened just there in Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian. I can only imagine how magical it would seem to sit on the park benches reading that exact scene!
3. Mythik Camps, USA
Young demigods, assemble! Get a chance to experience Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter like never before! Mythik Camps provides you a full-immersive Percy Jackson fantasy with their revolutionary summer camps spread across the States. Learn mythology, solve quests, hone your combat skills, and make more friends!
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion
1. Jane Austen Centre, Bath, UK
Located in central Bath, where Persuasion, Northanger Abbey were set, the Jane Austen Centre is the heaven of classic lovers. Travel back to the Regency era, with guided and self-guided tours around the Centre and the city.
Pro tip: Schedule your visit in September and behold the majestic sights of the city as locals dress up and celebrate the ten-day Jane Austen Festival!
2. Basildon Park (Berkshire)and Lyme Park (Stockport), UK
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every woman must fulfill her dream to run around a mansion so big in a trailing white summer dress. Presenting Netherfield and Pemberly, real as the day. Walk through the gardens home to Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, and enjoy a literary outing like no other!
3. Temple of Apollo, Stourhead, UK
In vain, indeed, us readers were stormed with strong emotions at the first proposal of Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth. The rain was definitely a paid actor in the film. The Temple of Apollo and its garden witnessed one of the most iconic scenes in the overlapping literary and film world. Witness in-action re-enactments of Beauty and the Beast, Little Women and of course, Pride and Prejudice.
Some call it feeding your delusions, readers call it a place like home. For in their minds, the printed words on paper build tall castles, starry nights, kingdoms ruled by strong queens with magnificent feathered wings and powerful glowing hands. Not sure if the real world is capable of holding the weight of the actual magic of books but it did give us places remotely similar to the ones we wished were true.
That’s eleven places for about a dozen books, to be added to your bucket list this instance! Seeing and being in a place one has only thought and read about is surreal. What are you waiting for? Pull your nerdy noses out of your books and live them in real life!
Endless books mean endless places. Here are 29 Adaptation Film Locations You Can Visit Right Now!
Explore and learn more with travel books at our Bookshop
