Made In England

The Three Counties of Beds, Herts and Bucks have a huge amount of literary connections.

Bedfordshire was home to John Bunyan, one of the most celebrated writers of the 17th century. Imprisoned for his beliefs, Bunyan wrote his most famous work ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ whilst he spent 12 years in Bedford Gaol. He is remembered with a museum in town.

Luton's John Hegley

Performance poet John Hegley hails from Luton. Always humourous, his books are a mixture of verse, poetry and prose, along with his own illustrations, that cover a multitude of themes with wry observations on existence.

George Bernard Shaw is probably Herts most famous literary resident but Francis Bacon, Beatrix Potter, Barbara Cartland, Frederick Forsyth and more have lived there too.

Shaw lived at Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordshire for 44 years until his death in 1950. Known as ‘Shaw’s Corner’, his Herts home became a peaceful retreat where he could write interrupted.

Camfield Place, near Hatfield, was the summer residence of Beatrix Potter and also the home of romantic novelist Barbara Cartland. Berkhamstead’s Graham Greene is one of the most read novelists of the 20thtcentury and bestselling author Frederick Forsyth lives in Hertford.

G.K. Chesterton's house in Beaconsfield

Buckinghamshire has a whole host of famous writers connected with the area. Early 20th century author G.K. Chesterton lived in Beaconsfield, which was also the home of American poet Robert Frost and children’s author Alison Uttley.

John Milton only lived in the county for a year - But it was in his Chalfont St. Giles cottage in 1665 that he completed his great poetic work ‘Paradise Lost’.

Marlow was the home of Mary Shelley, famed for her story ‘Frankenstein’. Her husband, Percy Shelley, also wrote ‘The Revolt of Islam"’ there.

Popular children’s writers Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton lived in Bourne End and Great Missendon respectively.

Other noted writers who lived in the county at one time or another include T.S. Eliot, John Betjeman and Thomas Gray.

Made in England

Made in England is a joint partnership between BBC English Regions and Arts Council England to bring audiences and artists together in unique collaborations to provide exciting new cultural experiences.

It is a project dedicated to exploring how England – the place and the people - is expressed through creative and artistic forms.

Think about the Lake District - dramatic and elegant, the lush greens and icy blues depicting an unspoilt England. William Wordsworth was so inspired by the landscape he wrote poems, sonnets and ballads dedicated to it.

Non-traditional art is just as important to recognise - graffiti on the streets, estates built in the Sixties, and even regional accents. Does this architecture, history and culture inspire you to think of all things English?

If you’re bursting with enthusiasm at the thought of creating something - why don’t you see how you can get involved? Visit the main Made in England site to find out how you can get your creative juices flowing.