In an age of constant notifications and digital overload, travellers are increasingly seeking something slower, quieter and more meaningful. Enter the ‘readaway’: a new kind of escape centred around storytelling and the joy of uninterrupted reading.
With 2026 officially designated as the National Year of Reading, this trend feels especially timely. More than just a passing fad, literary-inspired travel reflects a broader cultural shift: one that prioritises creativity and a deeper connection to place.
Reading is no longer just a pastime; it’s becoming a lifestyle and aesthetic in its own right, influencing a vibrant cultural movement. Platforms like TikTok, particularly the #BookTok community, have transformed how people discover and engage with books. Viral recommendations and aesthetic reading content have inspired millions to pick up novels, driving bestseller lists and reviving interest in classic literature.
It’s therefore no surprise that we are seeing a surge in book clubs, reading retreats and curated literary experiences. According to Vrbo’s Unpack ’26 report, 91% of travellers are now actively seeking holidays centred around reading, while Pinterest reports a 265% rise in searches for book club retreat ideas.
Destinations with Literary Roots: YTL Hotels
With a portfolio of historic properties, YTL Hotels is spotlighting its rich literary connections. Answering a growing demand for slower, more meaningful travel, guests are invited to immerse themselves in stories not only on the page but in the places that inspired them.
In London’s Bloomsbury, visitors can stay at The Academy, situated among streets once walked by the Bloomsbury Set, including literary greats like Virginia Woolf and E. M. Forster. Celebrating the neighbourhood’s tradition of storytelling, guests can take part in the hotel’s Blind Date with a Book experience, selecting a wrapped mystery title guided only by a few clue words.
Further west in Bath, guests at The Gainsborough Bath Spa can immerse themselves in the world of Jane Austen, exploring the city that inspired Pride and Prejudice before unwinding in the hotel’s historic spa. Austen enthusiasts can even partake in a six-day Jane Austen Celebration Week with a full programme of Regency-era experiences.
Edinburgh, widely recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, is home to The Glasshouse Hotel, where guests are surrounded by the legacy of Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and J. K. Rowling. Its atmospheric setting makes it a dream destination for readers seeking inspiration.
Back in London, Threadneedles offers a more mysterious literary connection, placing guests close to locations featured in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes stories, including The Man with the Twisted Lip.
For those craving total seclusion, Monkey Island Estate in Bray, provides a tranquil riverside escape, famously referenced in Rebecca West’s The Return of the Soldier, where guests can truly switch off and enjoy uninterrupted reading time.
With the National Year of Reading shining a spotlight on storytelling, 2026 is the ideal moment to embrace literary travel. Whether revisiting a childhood favourite, diving into a classic or discovering a new author, travellers are rediscovering the simple pleasure of getting lost in a good book and celebrating the places that bring those stories to life.
