Year of Literary Heroes in England

1 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen's Death

Image Source: Flickr user Charles D P Miller

In honor of the prolific author's death, the Jane Austen House Museum (her former home) in Chawton will be hosting exhibitions, talks, and other special events from March until the end of the year. Additionally, Austen's grave site, Winchester Cathedral, will have tours that will present the history behind the writer's life.

In Basingstoke, "Visitors will also be able to follow a downloadable sculpture trail made up of 25 'BookBenches' each uniquely designed and painted by a professional artist with their personal interpretation of a Jane Austen theme," Visit England explains.

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2 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tara Block

To celebrate this incredible book series's introduction into the world, a Harry Potter film concert series will happen May 11-21 with screenings of the movie paired with a live orchestra performing the film's score. It will take place in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, and London's Royal Albert Hall.

There will also be an exhibition at the British Library that will be focused on the Harry Potter books. It will include unseen materials from J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury (the book publisher). There will also be magical treasures from the library's own collection of wizarding books.

You can also visit some of the landmarks from the filming of the movies, including Alnwick Castle in Northumberland — it was one of the locations used for Hogwarts.

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3 75th Anniversary of Enid Blyton's The Famous Five

Image Source: Flickr user Steve Bittinger

One of England's widely adored book series is The Famous Five, so to commemorate its 75th anniversary, there will be a "Five Go on a Garden Adventure" event through all Royal Horticultural Society Gardens. Each garden will have family activities including adventure trails, special garden displays, craft workshops, and storytelling. There will also be a big picnic party at the gardens on Aug. 11.

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4 125th Anniversary of the First Sherlock Holmes Publication

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tara Block

The famous book series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was first published in 1892. To celebrate the 125th anniversary, go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, which includes re-creations of the detective's sitting room. There's also a Sherlock Holmes Pub in London that's filled with cool items based on the books.

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5 50th Anniversary of Arthur Ransome's Death

Image Source: Flickr user Nick Rowland

Arthur Ransome was a beloved author of childen's book series like Swallows and Amazons. The particular book We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea is celebrating its 80th year since publication, so book a sailing experience in Suffolk on the well-known yacht in the Woolverstone Marina on the Shotley Peninsula.

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6 100th Anniversary of Poet Edward Thomas's Death

Image Source: Flickr user tpholland

There will be a special memorial concert during the Petersfield Music Festival in March to remember the late, great wartime poet. There will also be exhibitions of Thomas-inspired work at the Petersfield Museum and Petersfield Physic Garden.

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7 Rail Europe Author-Themed Train Trips

Image Source: Flickr user Matt Buck

Here's an added bonus — Rail Europe announced that it will be offering train trips in conjunction with the "Year of Literary Heroes" events. Many of the trains will travel to the hometowns of these authors as well as the locations where the festivities will be taking place. So getting everywhere will be pretty easy!

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