Literary Tours of England (LTE) is unique. That’s because our sole focus is literary tours of England. We do nothing else. We cover not only the A-list of English writers – Austen, the Brontë sisters, Christie, Dickens, Hardy, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, et al – but many who might be less well known (even obscure) yet are equally fascinating: more than seventy writers in all.
If you want a fully Personalized Tour, use our website’s simple tools to tell us which writers interest you. You can also specify literary sites associated with your chosen writers, if you wish, and even add non-literary sites. Or you can leave all of that to us. Plan a tour.
If you want a tour that’s been put together by our expert staff, a Book-and-Go Tour can be purchased online. There are six to choose from, covering some of England’s most popular writers. Or select a Tailor-made Tour and we’ll customize it to reflect your personal preferences. Book a tour.
On a private escorted tour, you can depend on LTE’s professional guides to bring every writer vividly to life. Or, if you prefer to drive yourself, simply follow the detailed itinerary we’ll prepare for you. Whichever way you go, you’ll deepen your appreciation of your favorite writers and the places that inspired them to greatness. You’ll also enjoy seeing idyllic villages and lovely countryside as you travel England’s back roads and byways. The natives are friendly and they speak almost the same language.
Stephen Margrett
LTE’s founder and CEO, Stephen is a native of England who married an American lady (Judy) almost thirty years ago. He has lived in the United States ever since – first in Arizona and now in Colorado – but still misses warm beer, real bacon and the BBC.
LTE is a reflection of Stephen’s three passions: England, English literature and travel. (Actually there’s a fourth: movies – but that’s another story.) He and Judy have made countless trips to England, exploring innumerable well-known and lesser-known literary sites (stopping at many country pubs along the way).
Stephen’s vision was to create a solution for discerning travelers who want to explore their interest in English writers. It’s his love of England and its literary heritage that underpins LTE’s unique offering of personalized itineraries, taking the traveler to the most significant literary and non-literary sites.
We acknowledge the many friends whose steadfast support helped Stephen realize his vision, especially Janice Cordner and Simon Margrett for their extraordinary talents and dedication to the project.
Avebury stone circle (World Heritage Site)
Stephen’s the one on the left
Stephen’s the one on the left
Mark and his son, Yusuf, relax in the grounds of Chatsworth House
(Mr Darcy’s Pemberley in the 2005 film of Pride & Prejudice)
(Mr Darcy’s Pemberley in the 2005 film of Pride & Prejudice)
Mark Barrett
As LTE’s UK-based Tour Director, Mark always looks forward to welcoming visitors to ‘This Sceptred Isle’. He caught the travel bug when, having escaped a career in law in the City of London, he spent two years working and studying overseas. Along the way he discovered his passion for literature, philosophy, history and politics. Mark then spent ten years working as a tour guide throughout the UK and Europe, during which time he had the pleasure of hosting numerous school, college and retired teacher groups from the United States and Canada.
Mark has taught English, religious studies and government and politics at a number of British secondary schools and, in his spare time, he’s a community organizer and Scout leader. In 2013 he moved with his young family from London to the fine city of Norwich: England’s first UNESCO appointed City of Literature and home of the National Centre for Writing.
Norwich is the capital of the county of Norfolk, East Anglia, birthplace of the English (‘Angles’) and of the revolutionary writer Tom Paine. The nearby perfectly preserved medieval village of Lavenham is the cinematic site of Harry Potter’s birthplace and his parents’ murder at the hands of Voldemort. An eclectic mix!