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Take inspiration from Devon’s literary heroes this World Book Day

2nd March 2020

Categories: Visitor News

With the beautiful surroundings, it’s no wonder that so many poets and writers have flocked to Devon, either to use the landscape as inspiration or to base their character’s lives around what is happening in the county. From Agatha Christie to Percy Bysshe Shelly, Devon has featured in some of the most famous literary works to come out of the UK. With that in mind, why not celebrate this World Book Day by taking some inspiration from Devon’s literary heroes?

Choose a Poirot costume this year

Perhaps Agatha Christie’s most famous character, Poirot is instantly recognisable. Having lived in Torquay, the Christie family spent a lot of time in the English Riviera and you can still visit her holiday home which can be found near Brixham and is managed by the National Trust. Burgh Island also featured in her stories And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun, though under a different name. Plus, taking a trip to Burgh Island is always exciting because you get to go via the sea tractor!

Visitors to Torquay can take part in the Agatha Christie Mile and there are plenty of places with a connection to her.

Image: Burgh Island

Or dress as Holmes or Watson

Poirot isn’t the only famous detective with links to Devon – one of Sherlock Holmes’ most famous stories is set on Dartmoor. The moor inspired Conan Doyle as did rumours of a local man who had a reputation for being evil, Richard Cabell of Buckfastleigh, you can visit his tomb at Buckfastleigh churchyard.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wasn’t the only one to use Dartmoor as inspiration, Michael Morpurgo did too for his story, War Horse, after speaking to veterans that lived in the area.

Take on the Tarka Trail

Tarka the Otter is perhaps one of Devon’s best known literary exports, the book by Henry Williamson follows the adventures of Tarka, an otter living around the Taw and Torridge rivers and many of the places in the book can be visited to this day. Head to the Barnstaple and Bideford area and join the Tarka Trail which will take you on the route of Tarka’s journey. The trail is a great place for families and is suitable to explore via bike or on foot.

Spend some time in Westward Ho!

Westward Ho! isn’t just a lovely place to spend some time while in North Devon, it also got its name from a book! The book, Westward Ho! was written by Charles Kingsley who lived in Bideford and based many of his stories in the region. The village was then developed around ten years after the novel was released and became popular with Victorian holiday makers. You can find many of Charles Kingsley’s old haunts around the village and in neighbouring Bideford.

Image: Westward Ho!

While you’re in North Devon…

Many of the romantic poets, Shelly, Coolridge and their like spent time in North Devon and wrote many poems about their time there, particularly about areas such as the Valley of the Rocks which is incredibly picturesque and well worth the visit.

One of the best romance novels ever, Lorna Doone, was based in Exmoor and many of the places described in the book look much the same now.

Are you taking inspiration from Devon this World Book Day? Let us know, you can get in touch on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.