On a hill above central London, on either side of a leafy, quiet street lies Highgate Cemetery - the last resting place of some of Britain’s most acclaimed authors, poets and journalists, artists and wealthy Victorians. Divided into two sections which straddle each side of the road, Highgate is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.  Wide, tidy thoroughfares veer off into smaller paths where unkempt graves have been swallowed up by untamed greenery. A handy map given to you at the entrance will help you navigate to specific locations, but it is also nice to wander and explore. While Highgate was an illustrious place to be buried, for Victorians it was also a popular hang-out places. Having...

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  Winnie the Pooh and his friends are some of the most beloved characters of children’s literature. Before the myriad of cartoons and animated movies, toys and theme park rides, there were children’s books with simple but moving line drawings that brought these adorable creatures to life.   These books are so influential that they completely overshadowed their creator, who has always be known by his initials and, to most people, not much else. In this article, we’ll dive in to the background of this mysterious and endeavour to separate fact from fiction. A Young Milne Alan Alexander Milne was born on the 18th January, 1882 in Kilburn, London. His father ran a local independent school, Henley House, which he...

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When it comes to children’s literature, you can’t beat the classics. Each generation gets a chance to explore the world of Narnia or experience seeing the world through Matilda or Jo March’s eyes. Even if you’re an adult reader, don’t discount the delight of returning to your old favourites - they are classics for a reason!   Read on for our top 5 classic children’s books….     The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Secret Garden’s young protagonist is sent away to live with her frosty uncle after the death of her family. Alone in a crumbling mansion in Yorkshire, she is told by a chambermaid of a secret garden, untouched since the death of her uncle’s wife....

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‘Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.’   Du Maurier’s name is synonymous with some of the greatest works of fiction - twisted gothic romances, psychological horror, nail-biting thrillers…she paved the way for the type of novels we know and love today.   Her books and short stories have been made into countless films and tv shows, including Rebecca, The Birds and Don’t Look Now. And despite her death over thirty years ago, reader’s love for Du Maurier shows no sign of slowing down - in 2021 a new adaptation of Rebecca came out, introducing a whole new generation of readers to this masterpiece of manipulation and plotting.   Daphne (right) and her two sisters   Daphne was...

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The main character in so many of Dickens books could be the city of London. The two are synonymous and his writing on London life has formed what we imagine Victorian London to be like - at once filthy, dangerous yet exciting, full of life and opportunity. Dickens himself described London as his “magic lantern”, inspiring his stories and his characters.    Many of Dickens protagonists come to London to make their fortunes and strike out for themselves - David Copperfield, Pip from Great Expectations. And what a city awaited them. Due to careful preservation, you can walk the streets Dickens would have walked and nearly imagine yourself back there with him.   If you love literature, why not plan...

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