Read Tour Explore with the Caravan and Motorhome Club

The diverse landscapes and magnificent architectural structures that are located all over the UK, have captivated the imaginations of many authors over the centuries. From charming villages to historic landmarks, literary masterpieces have been born, inspired by the scenic beauty of our small island.

As we want you to be inspired too, we have compiled a list of books, ranging from the classics to popular contemporary fiction, and then matched the location to our nearest Club campsites, so that you can plan your very own literary tours! And it’s not just the UK, we’ve also added a few books set in Europe and throughout the world, and paired them with our overseas campsites and tours.

Happy reading, and may your next book ignite your wanderlust for both literature and travel!

Literary gems inspired by the UK landscapes

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Otley, West Yorkshire. Photo by Vicky Parkinson

Published in 1847, Wuthering Heights is set in the dramatic scenery of West Yorkshire. The book follows two families of the landed gentry, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, living on the West Yorkshire moors, and their turbulent relationships with Heathcliff, the Earnshaws’ foster son.  

Discover the beauty of West Yorkshire at stay at one of our nearby Club campsites are: Hebden Bridge Club Campsite, Bolton Abbey Estate Club Campsite, Knaresborough Club Campsite and Wharfedale Club Campsite.

 

1984 by George Orwell

Although published in 1949, all the events in the iconic novel 1984 take place in a fictionalised version of London at some unspecified time in the future. In the book, London is the capital of a province called Airstrip One, which is itself part of the fictional nation of Oceania.  

Visit the cosmopolitan city of London and stay at nearby Club campsites include: Abbey Wood Club Campsite, Alderstead Heath Club Campsite, Wyatts Covert Club Campsite and Commons Wood Club Campsite.

 

The Year of the Runaways by Sunjeev Sahota

This contemporary novel was published in 2015 and is set to the backdrop of Sheffield. The Year of the Runaways tells the tale of the dreams and daily struggles of an unlikely family thrown together by circumstance. Thirteen young men live in a house in Sheffield, each from India and in search of a new life.  

Check out the stunning city of Sheffield and stay at nearby Club campsites: Poolsbrook Country Park Club Campsite, Chatsworth Park Club Campsite, Castleton Club Campsite.

 

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

Bow Fiddle Rock, near Portknockie, Scotland. Photo by Tom Lloyd

Set in Scotland just after the Jacobite rebellions, Kidnapped is a classic novel published in 1886. Narrated by the teenager David Balfour who was recently orphaned, it tells David’s story as he leaves rural Essendean to seek a better life with his relatives, the Balfours of the House of Shaws.  

Walk in the footsteps of the iconic characters and stay at: Melrose Gibson Park Club Campsite, Lidalia Caravan Affiliated campsite.

 

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Lake Windermere, Lake District. Photo by Jan Brown.

Beatrix Potter’s timeless tales were all inspired by the beauty of the Lake District which started with her first book in 1901, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. This much loved and classic story is based on Peter, a young rabbit, and his family. Peter’s mother, Mrs Rabbit goes shopping for the day and allows Peter and his three sisters to go and play. She tells them they can go anywhere they like but not to enter the vegetable garden Mr McGregor. Peter’s younger sisters do as they’re told, but Peter decides to venture into the forbidden garden.

Visitors to the Lake District can immerse themselves in this tale by staying at: Troutbeck Head Club Campsite, Borrowdale Club Campsite, Englethwaite Hall Club Campsite, Coniston Park Coppice Club Campsite, Kendal Club Campsite.

 

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy

Ha' Penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland

Published in 1990, bestselling author Maeve Binchy wrote the romantic fiction Circle of Friends which is set in 1950s Dublin, as well as in the fictitious town of Knockglen in rural Ireland. The coming-of-age story follows a group of university students as they navigate relationships and life.

Whilst visiting the bustling city of Dublin, stay at the nearby River Valley Caravan Park

 

How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn

Black Mountains, near Brecon. Photo by Richard Parry.

Published in 1939, How Green Was My Valley, was based in South Wales. It tells the story of the Morgans, a respectable mining family of the South Wales Valleys, told through the eyes of one of their sons, Huw Morgan. Huw's academic ability sets him apart from his elder brothers and enables him to think of a future away from the dangerous coal mines.  

Campsites to visit to immerse yourself in the scenery and backdrop of this book include: Tredegar House Country Park Club Campsite, Brecon Beacons Club Campsite, Aberbran Club Campsite, Pandy Club Campsite.

 

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

Tintagel, Cornwall. Photo by Beverely Dodds.

Inspired by du Maurier’s stay at the real Jamaica Inn which still exists as a pub in the middle of Bodmin Moor, the gothic Jamaica Inn, which was published in 1936, is a period piece set in 19th century Cornwall. The plot follows Mary Yellan, a woman who moves to stay at Jamaica Inn with her Aunt Patience and Uncle Joss following the passing of her mother.  

Enjoy the delights of Cornwall and stay at: Camelford Club Campsite, Trewethett Farm Club Campsite, Looe Club Campsite and Carnon Downs Club Campsite.

 

Here are a few of our favourite novels that features overseas countries which we have paired with our abroad campsites and trips. Check out all of our European campsites.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Photo by Phil Taylor.

The Da Vinci Code was a phenomenal bestseller worldwide after being published in 2003, and was later turned into a blockbuster film starring Tom Hanks. Set in Paris, the storyline starts after a dead body is discovered inside Paris’s Louvre museum. Besides the corpse there are a series of cryptic codes and it’s down to a Harvard professor and a French cryptologist to break the codes and unravel a mystery that goes back to the depths of time.  

Discover the wonders of Paris with a stay at campsites close to the city: Camping de Paris, Huttopia Versailles and Maisons Laffitte.

 

The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley

Set in Granada, just as Spain descends into civil war, The Moon Sister was published in 2018 and tells the story of Tiggy D’Aplièse who is searching for her own destiny after the death of her father. It’s a spellbinding tale of love and loss, inspired by the mythology of the famous star constellation.

Walk in Tiggy’s footsteps and stay at Las Lomas campsite - which is only eight miles away.

 

We’ve ventured a little bit further afield with some favourites Worldwide, with recommendations of tours that are available through the Club.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Yosemite National Park, California. Photo by David Smith.

In 1952, John Steinbeck, an icon of Americana literature, wrote East Of Eden, which he regarded as his greatest masterpiece. Set in California, the novel is Steinbeck's classic rendition of the biblical Cain and Abel story, told through two generations of brothers who betray one another but discover that forgiveness is possible.

Go on the Caravan and Motorhome Club Worldwide California Calling tour to immerse yourself in the surroundings that served as the backdrop for this epic drama.  Discover the best of California on this Golden State tour, which also includes stops in Arizona and Nevada.

 

The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

This series of novels from The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is set in the country of Botswana in South Africa and has been adapted for both radio and television. The main character Mma Precious Ramotswe features prominently across the series, who sets up her detective agency using inheritance from her father. The novels are about the adventures and flaws of the different characters she comes across, as well as the mysteries that the agency solves.

Explore the gorgeous country that is so beautifully described in this wonderful book series by booking the Caravan and  Motorhome Club Tale of Three Countries Tour where you can venture off the beaten track and discover the diverse wonders that Southern Africa has to offer.