Places that will inspire you to write, 5 of my favourite

Are you after a bit of writing inspiration? I have picked out 5 places that will inspire you to write.

As writers, we don’t need to travel to get inspiration to write. We can get inspiration simply 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 to feel inspired to write in a completely different way. Here are 5 places to visit to inspire you to write.

1. Edinburgh

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 locations in the city where you can learn more about them, one being The Writers’ Museum, which is well worth a visit. Edinburgh holds a book festival, too, which is a fantastic opportunity to meet other writers. The city transforms into a total wonderland for book lovers with tonnes of author appearances and author readings.

I must mention it as a huge Harry Potter fan myself. It’s where J.K. Rowling created the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry. Victoria Street gives a Diagon Alley feel, showing off colourful and quirky shops. Edinburgh has to be one of the best places to inspire you to write.

2. Paris

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 bookseller stalls date back to the 16th century when merchants would line Paris’s bridges.

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.

3. Whitby

I studied Bram Stoker’s timeless classic Dracula at University and still didn’t know that much of the inspiration for the novel came from Whitby. Stoker stayed in the town 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 first creative sparks that led to the novel Dracula.

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.

4. Copenhagen

Would you believe Copenhagen was on my bucket list for one reason: to see the statue of The Little Mermaid! This was a special moment for me. Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid sculpture is displayed 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 get across 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. I found it such a peaceful place full of character. It’s 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.

5. Lake District

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 have spent time outdoors, and the Lakes is 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.

Which one of these places inspires you to write? I have so many more I could add. For me, travelling will always be a way to inspire me to write. Maybe that’s not for you? Let me know in the comments how you get inspiration to write.