Exploring Kent & Sussex's Literary Connections
We take a look at writers past and present that have been inspired by the charm of Kent and Sussex, as well as upcoming festivals dedicated to our love of literature.
Image Photo by Jaredd Craig on Unsplash
Given the beauty of our corner of the country and the fact that Kent is indeed “The Garden of England” it is no wonder that these two stunning counties have been the birthplace, as well as the inspiration, of many acclaimed writers.
The “father of English literature” himself indeed put Kent on the literary map. Geoffrey Chaucer is best known for The Canterbury Tales, a collection of 24 stories following a pilgrimage from London to the shrine of St Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. And if you want the chance to immerse yourself in these tales then a new unique attraction is being launched in the city – The Canterbury Tales Experience – bringing his stories to life.
Then of course there’s Charles Dickens, author of classics such as Great Expectations and David Copperfield, whose links still remain in the county today with Dickens House Museum. Located in Broadstairs, it is housed in the cottage that was “Charles Dickens’ inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield”.
Jane Austen’s family came from Kent and she visited the county many times – you can find out more about the local connections while exploring a two-and-a-half mile walk that picks out the highlights in Tonbridge.
Novelist Frederick Forsyth, who was born in Ashford, Kent, is still making his mark to this day, with his novel Day of the Jackal set to hit the screens on Sky this November with a new production of the political thriller, which previously was dramatised in a film of the same name in 1973.
Other writers said to have been inspired by the county include TS Eliot, Christopher Marlowe and the great William Shakespeare.
Meanwhile over the border in Sussex poet William Blake lived in the county for several years in Felpham – and The Blake Cottage Trust are currently working to save the listed building Blake's Cottage – which they say "is one of the most important buildings in English literary history" – which is in urgent need of repair.
Why not take a trip to Bateman’s in Burwash, where you can visit the Jacobean house where Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book among others, and his wife lived for over 30 years? There you can see the rooms of the house just as they were left by the family and talk to experts who can share their knowledge of the family.
Sussex even proved a draw to American Henry James, writer of titles such as The Turn of the Screw and The Portrait of a Lady, who moved to Rye in the 1890s and lived in Lamb House. Now under the ownership of the National Trust, Lamb House celebrates 300 years of literary connections and you can explore its house and garden on a visit to the town.
Arguably, one of East Sussex most famous authors is AA Milne, who has made our beautiful Ashdown Forest famous for the lovely tales of Winnie the Pooh and his friends Piglet and Christopher Robin. You can still go and throw sticks off Pooh Bridge on the forest and then follow it up with a pot of tea and refreshments at the nearby Pooh Corner tea room in Hartfield with its museum and gift shop dedicated to the classic stories.
Just down the road in Crowborough was where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote many of his Sherlock Holmes stories, and today a statue stands on the crossroads of the town centre in memory of him. Local buildings and roads have also been aptly named nodding to the fame he brought to the town.
Literary links hitting the big screen
Novelist Ian Fleming, the creator of the iconic James Bond character, was born in London but bought a holiday home in Kent’s St Margaret’s Bay in 1952 and the county provided much inspiration for him. If you ever wondered why he was "007", well one of the many answers that has been suggested is that was the number of the London to Dover bus! Fleming died in Canterbury, Kent in 1964, with two of his novels published posthumously.
Cressida Cowell, author of the How To Train Your Dragon series which has also become a hit movie franchise, spent a lot of her childhood on the South Downs and claims it helped to fire up her imagination for writing with its beautiful landscape.
Today’s writers
Evan Baldock, who was born in Pembury and attended grammar school in Tunbridge Wells, left the Metropolitan Police in 2011 after 30 years' service and has recently released The Claret Pals – a fast-paced thriller that follows a group of football supporters who become intertwined with a series of gruesome murders. Evan says: “My wife and I follow Burnley FC and meet with a group of supporters (just like in the book), and it was this group which posed the question, ‘Why has a crime novel never been written involving football fans like us?’ I realised they were right and knew that if I could write a story incorporating the match day experience for fans, alongside a crime thriller, it would appeal on two fronts to huge numbers of supporters who attend matches throughout the country each week.”
Author Emory Faith, who is based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is due to release The Outlaws on 28th August. The YA thriller is set in the year 2100 and is a pulse-pounding adventure following Johnny and Mike as they navigate a radically altered London. In a world rebuilding from catastrophe, the two brothers find themselves at the centre of a high-stakes struggle that could reshape society. Emory says: “As a passionate enthusiast of combat sports, with a deep-rooted love for rugby and a strong commitment to addressing climate change, I am eager to share my story, reminiscent of a blend between 'The Hunger Games' and 'Divergent'. I wanted to create a story that entertains while also challenging readers to think about the future we're creating. Johnny and Mike's journey is full of action and surprises, but it also grapples with real issues we'll likely face in the coming decades.”
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2024 Book festivals
Given the wealth of writing that has been produced in the area, there are now many festivals dedicated to literature…
Sevenoaks Literary Festival, Kent, 13th September to 29th October
The Sevenoaks Literary Festival “aims to bring the brightest and best authors together to share our love of books; whether they be novels, biographies, histories, poetry, cookery, gardening, film, sport or music”. This event is in collaboration with local bookseller Sevenoaks Bookshop, sponsor Wildernesse House and Sevenoaks Town Council
The line-up for the 2024 festival includes a Pulitzer Prize-winning author; a Sunday Times bestselling chart topper; a national treasure; a renowned Shakespearian actress; two entrepreneurial household names; two pioneering journalists tackling pressing environmental issues; and experts on wine, gardening, history (both ancient and modern). This year they have also launched a YA & Teen programme with six fixtures for younger book lovers. They will also be working with local primary schools on a children’s event, this year on 9th October when bestselling author Lucy Strange will be joining the festival.
You can book tickets here.
Maidstone LitFest 2024, Kent, 5th-12th October
Maidstone LitFest is sure to delight book fans, with free children’s events, writing workshops, comedy and best-selling authors. Some of the authors featuring in this year’s festival include Gyles Brandreth, Maria McErlane, Gill Hornby, Jess Kidd, Joseph Coelho (Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate 2022–24) and Tim Weaver. New this year will be events for poetry lovers, featuring a workshop with Dorothy Lehane and an opportunity to listen to live poetry.
Maidstone LitFest offers the chance to celebrate literature and keep the love of books alive by discovering new writers, as well as meeting old favourites and best-selling authors. The festival takes place in venues across Maidstone town centre including the beautiful Maidstone Museum, the iconic Town Hall, All Saints Church, Waterstones, and The Kent History and Library Centre.
Also new for 2024 is a Festival Family Fun Day at Lockmeadow on Sunday 6th October, featuring children’s entertainment, arts and crafts, family fun and the return of the local writers’ showcase. The team at One Maidstone and MaidStory are sponsoring a Book Worm hunt through the town centre, with prizes being awarded at Lockmeadow during the Fun Day.
Teaming up with Maidstone Museum, the LitFest is bringing two fabulous authors to the town focusing on incredible women from history whose stories remain largely unexplored. Following a screening of the outstanding film ‘Hidden Figures’ at the museum, historians and authors Dr Helen Fry (Women in Intelligence) and Caitlin Davies (Private Inquiries) will be in conversation with Dr Jane Shankar about the hidden roles women have played in history.
Tickets for events start at £5 with all children’s events free (booking still required for free events) and are available from the Visit Maidstone website.
Children’s BookFest, Chichester, Sussex, 8th-10th October
Children’s BookFest returns to Chichester this October bringing more authors into more schools than ever before. CBF will bring a total of 27 authors into 26 primary schools in and around Chichester, gifting a book to every child involved. Amongst the authors coming to the city are internationally bestselling M.G. Leonard, former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, acclaimed author/illustrator Sophy Henn and multi-award-winning Onjali Q Rauf MBE.
Established in response to extensive evidence of the links between reading for pleasure and better outcomes for children CBF currently runs a twice-yearly book festival in schools. Through these festivals, children have an opportunity to meet leading authors and illustrators and to learn more about their books, and each child receives a personally signed and dedicated book, bought and paid for by the charity. CBF also donates books to local foodbanks, ensuring that all children, regardless of income or circumstances, can enjoy and benefit from a love of reading.
Visit childrensbookfest.com
Creative Folkestone Book Festival 2024, Kent, 14th to 24th November
The annual festival of books, ideas, writing and literature is set to return to fill those gloomy winter months with conversation and debate. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock, the Creative Folkestone Book Festival will “have guest speakers that will cover an incredible range of topics – from comedy and curiosity to motherhood and mayhem, life and loss to rogues and royalty, and everything in between”.
Some of the writers, authors and thinkers appearing at this year’s festival include Alan Hollinghurst, Ali Smith, David Nicholls, Donal Ryan, Elizabeth Macneal, Emma Gannon, Helen Lederer, Irenosen Okojie, Lucy Caldwell, Naomi Wood, Robin Ince, Rory Cellan-Jones, Tessa Hadley, Tracy Chevalier and more to be announced.
Visit creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestone-book-festival/
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