Are you struggling with writer’s block? Here are 6 of my favourite places that will inspire you to write.
As writers, we don’t need to travel to get inspiration. It can come from people watching throughout the day, wandering through a local park, or even doing the dishes. (Some of my best ideas have come to me whilst cleaning the house!) However, I love to travel to places made famous by books and writers. Often, I leave feeling inspired to write in a completely different way.
Ghent: the city that swept me off my feet
When I first visited Ghent on our interrailing trip, it completely swept me off my feet. I felt like I just melted into the pace of life here. I loved it so much, in fact, I’m visiting for a third time this year!
Wandering along the canals felt like stepping into a story I hadn’t written yet. The medieval streets, the street art, and the insanely beautiful buildings all have a story to tell. I spent ages people-watching from small cafés on quiet side streets, letting the gentle buzz of cyclists, conversation, and cathedral bells become the perfect background for writing.
I found so much inspiration inside St. Bavo’s Cathedral, too. There’s something about being surrounded by centuries of art and history that makes you reflect deeply on your own work. It’s impossible not to feel moved.
Ghent is bursting with creativity. Here, I felt like slowing down and letting ideas come naturally. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, but it truly inspired me to write in a softer, more thoughtful way.
Edinburgh: where you can surround yourself with stories before you even begin writing your own
If you are a lit lover, Edinburgh is for you. I can’t count how many times I have visited this incredible city. I love wandering through the pretty streets, looking up at Edinburgh Castle and making up stories.
It is home to many famous authors, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Rankin, J.M. Barrie, and Irvine Welsh. There are so many places in the city where you can learn more about them, including The Writers’ Museum, which is well worth a visit.
Edinburgh also hosts a book festival, which is a fantastic opportunity to meet other writers. The city transforms into a wonderland for book lovers, with tonnes of author appearances and readings.
I must mention it as a Harry Potter fan myself. It’s where J.K. Rowling created the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry. Victoria Street gives off a Diagon Alley vibe, showcasing colourful, quirky shops.
Edinburgh has to be one of the best places to inspire you to write.
Paris: a city that pushes your creativity further simply by being unapologetically itself
Ah, Paris. If I could move there, I would do it in a heartbeat! I’ve never felt so inspired by a city before. As a creative person, I felt so at home. I put off visiting Paris until my 30th birthday as I thought it would never live up to all I had ever read about it.
That was stupid, don’t do that, go!
Maybe the cafe culture, people-watching, and relaxed atmosphere make creativity flow here. It brought an entirely new and enriching element to my work, new ideas, and a more profound understanding of what art is and what it takes to create it.
Wander along the River Seine and buy yourself a second-hand book from the green stalls. These book stalls date back to the 16th century, when merchants would line the bridges of Paris.
You must also visit one of the world’s most famous bookshops, the Shakespeare and Company bookshop. The bookshop sits opposite Notre Dame and was founded by American George Whitman at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, Kilometer Zero, the point at which all French roads begin. You can get a beautiful copy of Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame here.
Whitby: Dracula, ghosts and boggles, oh my!
I studied Bram Stoker’s timeless classic Dracula at University and still didn’t know much about the inspiration for the novel coming from Whitby. After a little research, I had to include it in my list of places that will inspire you to write.
Stoker stayed in Whitby in 1890 and fell in love with the area. He wandered around the town, taking in stories, myths, and legends. The atmosphere of this gothic seaside town, and sites such as Whitby Abbey and the graveyard of St Mary’s Church, gave him the initial creative spark that led to the novel Dracula. It was at a local library in Whitby where he read about Vlad Tepes/Vlad the Impaler, too.
I love visiting Whitby because it reminds me of my home. There is something extraordinary about being brought up in a seaside town. I love being by the sea and imagining people who will have lived and worked there.
If you love all things vampire, try The Dracula Experience, a little trip into the dramatic history of Bram Stoker’s iconic Dracula. It’s a lot of fun! Or maybe join a ghost walk and explore this gothic town at night.
Copenhagen: a reminder of how powerful childhood stories can be in shaping your writing voice
Would you believe Copenhagen was on my bucket list for one reason: to see the statue of The Little Mermaid. This was such a special moment for me.
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story, the Little Mermaid statue stands on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade.
I read The Little Mermaid when I was very young and have been besotted with writing ever since. I will never be able to express the overwhelming sadness I felt standing beside a statue. It’s a reflection of the genuinely tragic ending in The Little Mermaid.
While you’re there, visit the Royal Library. It’s one of the largest libraries in the world and contains copies of every Danish work published since the 17th century and many from before that, too. Plus, it’s simply stunning.
Copenhagen itself is just beautiful. I loved exploring this city. It’s such a peaceful place full of character – no wonder so many fairy tales were inspired here.
We visited at Christmas, explored the traditional markets, watched ballet, and visited the Tivoli Gardens. It was magical.
The Lake District: a landscape that clears enough mental space for ideas to actually land
The Lake District has links to the iconic poet Wordsworth. You can even visit the Wordsworth House and Garden and the author’s home Dove Cottage.
Poetry is my thing. I’m addicted to it. I live only an hour from the Lake District, so it has always been my go-to getaway and a place to relax, read, and write poetry.
Something about being surrounded by mountains while looking at the vast lakes completely calms me. Like many people, I write better when I spend time outdoors, and the Lakes are just the perfect place for that.
I was brought up with stories of Peter Rabbit; if you fancy stepping back into your childhood, head to The World of Beatrix Potter™. It brings Beatrix Potter’s enchanting stories to life in a magical recreation of the beautiful Lake District countryside.
So, which of these places would inspire you to write?
- Are you drawn to slow, reflective cities like Ghent?
- Or somewhere rich in stories and history, like Edinburgh?
- Maybe it’s the creative energy of Paris that speaks to you
- Or the darker, gothic charm of Whitby
- You might even find inspiration closer to home, like the Lake District
For me, travel itself will always inspire me to write. Maybe that’s not for you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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