The British Library’s newest exhibition explores how the landscapes of Britain permeate great literary works. According to the Library “It will allow visitors to read between the lines of great works of English literature, discovering the secrets and stories surrounding the works’ creation, shedding new light on how they speak to the country today.”

Over 150 literary works, including many first-time loans from overseas and directly from authors: sound recordings, videos, letters, photographs, maps, song lyrics and drawings – as well as manuscripts and printed editions.”

The thames was an inspiration for Lewis Carroll.  the exhibit features Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865)in its first handwritten version.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales describes the pilgrims who assembled in Southwark

William Blake‘s Notebook is also featured–Blake would walk the streets in his neighborhood seeking inspiration but alert to the sings of suffering he encountered.

Daphne Du Maurier’s notes describe Cornwall

John lennon’s notes for In My Life conjure up his childhood in Liverpool. And Paul McCArtney’s Penny Lane similarly describe the part of Britain that influenced him.