Book Clubs are hugely popular these days from Book Clubs with friends, colleagues and neighbours. Book clubs also feature on the radio with BBC DJ Sara Cox and on television with household names Richard and Judy. Everyone loves a good book. But where do authors take their inspiration from? Often it is their home town and local surroundings that plays a vital part in getting the creative juices flowing.
The Chilterns has inspired literary talent and we are very proud of our renowned local authors that date back centuries with worldwide classics to more modern literature penned in this part of the world.
Here are some of the Chilterns best known authors:
Milton – Chalfont St Giles
John Milton has to be one of the most famous authors in the area – he was a visionary poet, parliamentarian and pamphleteer. Milton is best known for Paradise Lost, widely regarded as the greatest epic poem in English. Milton came to Chalfont St Giles to escape the Great Plague of 1665, and complete his epic masterpiece Paradise Lost and was inspired to write the sequel Paradise Regained.
Chalfont St Giles is home to Milton’s Cottage, where he once lived, which is now a museum dedicated to his works.
Chalfont St Giles is an incredibly popular quaint village with a historic High Street. It offers excellent schooling and transport links in the heart of the Chilterns countryside and it famous for its village duck pond!
See our guide to living in Chalfont St Giles here.
Roald Dahl – Great Missenden
Roald Dahl is the hands down most fantabulous whizz-popping author who lived in Great Missenden for over 20 years. Author of children’s classics such as Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl is a household name. The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in the heart of the historic High Street is dedicated to his work and is full of inspiration for budding authors. Here visitors of all ages can delight in his whacky world and be inspired be his literary genius.
Great Missenden is very popular with all generations given the excellent schooling, commuting options, excellent tennis club and proximity to fabulous walks.
See our guide to living in Great Missenden here.
Kenneth Grahame – Cookham
Kenneth Grahame is the author of Wind in the Willows which was inspired by living in the riverside town of Cookham. Grahame lived here as a child and was introduced to boating and the river by his uncle who was a curate at Cookham Dean church. The story details the antics of Mole, Ratty, and Badger as they try to help Mr. Toad, after he becomes obsessed with motorcars and gets into trouble.
Cookham is a very popular riverside town with a popular sailing club at its heart. The historic High Street attracts locals and tourists and is home to many independent shops and bars and restaurants.
See our guide to living in Cookham here.
Graham Greene – Berkhamsted
Graham Greene was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading English novelists of the 20th century. Graham became one of the most successful British authors of the twentieth century, writing novels, film reviews, plays, short stories, essays and travel books. Many of his novels have been turned into films and his most famous works have been translated into a large number of languages. The Heart of the Matter is one of his most famous works.
The heart of Berkhamsted is very popular due to its bustling High Street close to the river. Set in a valley Berkhamsted offers excellent commuting options, a wealth of schooling options and direct access to the countryside for walking and cycling. The town has a great vibe with many social amenities.
See our guide to living in Berkhamsted here.
Marlow – Shelley/Elliot/Thorogood
Marlow has an amazing history and legacy of so many wonderful writers: Mary and Percy Shelley, Thomas Love Peacock, T S Elliot, Jerome K Jerome and Edgar Wallace continuing to current celebrities including author and screenwriter Robert Thorogood and Max Porter.
The connection with literature and the historic town has led to the creation of the Marlow Writers Society in 2012. Still going strong it welcomes all literary fans to the George and Dragon once a month as authors share work and support and inspire each other!
Marlow is an incredibly popular riverside town with an historic High Street with a wide range of restaurants, boutiques and independent shops. The town is well known for being the home of Tom Kerridge’s award wining pubs The Hand and Flowers and The Coach. The summer sees the town comes alive with the annual Pub in the Park festival – the ultimate music and food festival.
See our guide to living in Marlow here.
Rupert Brooke – Princes Risborough
War poet Rupert Brooke is best known for his idealistic war sonnets written during the First World War, especially “The Soldier”. Brooke famously went for an afternoon walking in Lacey Green on the outskirts of Princes Risborough and drank at The Pink and Lily pub. He was so taken by the experience that he wrote a poem about it.
Princes Risborough is well-served with a variety of shops, cafes and pubs, many independent, and a street market every Thursday. The annual town festival in July offers a host of music and arts events including concerts, local history exhibitions, guided walks and a street fair.
See our guide to Princes Risborough here
Frederick Forsyth – Seer Green
British author of best-selling thriller novels noted for their journalistic style and their fast-paced plots based on international political affairs and personalities. He is best known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol and The Dogs of War amongst many others. More than a dozen of his titles have been adapted to film.
The village is popular with families due to its rural location yet the village has a railway station with direct trains to London Marylebone. The village has a fabulous community feel with many local events including the family friendly Seer Green Beer and Music Festival.
See our guide to living in Seer Green here.
If you would like further information regarding our rental property search service, please do contact us on 01494 672086 or email enquiries@chilternrelocation.com or visit www.chilternrelocation.com
