Literary trips are on the rise, according to new research by VisitEngland. In a bumper year of literary anniversaries, Sarah Marshall reveals brilliant breaks are more than a work of fiction

CINEMA and TV have helped boost tourism in a number of locations across the UK, and now it looks as if books are having a similar impact.

Increasingly, people are being drawn to places imagined in works of fiction, enticed by poetic descriptions of towns and landscapes. Others simply want to learn about the lives of their literary heroes, visiting their birthplaces, hometowns and final resting spots.

This year is of particular significance for British book fans, with a number of anniversaries linked to celebrated authors. Perhaps the greatest is the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death.

To coincide with the 20th anniversary of World Book Day on March 2, VisitEngland commissioned research into travel habits linked to literature. Their findings, based on a survey of 1,200 people, reveal one in four Brits has holidayed in a literary location within the last year.

A similar number even prepped for their trip by reading a book linked to the area they were planning to visit.

The most popular location for bookworms appears to be London, with its connections to Charles Dickens, Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes.

Yorkshire and Bronte country also score highly, along with the North West, where Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter based their works.

"Books fire up our imagination, they conjure up people and places and they inspire us to explore locations and landscapes associated with our favourite stories," said VisitEngland director Patricia Yates.

Interestingly, few modern works have evoked a sense of wanderlust. The exception is JK Rowling, riding high with her Harry Potter series, which celebrates it's 20th anniversary this year.

VisitEngland estimate there are more than 50 literature-related attractions in the country, spanning authors' homes, dedicated museums and world-renowned libraries. Visit a selection on one of the following tours.

In celebration of World Book Day, National Trust properties will be hosting several children's book activities. Knole in Kent will hold a festival from March 25-26. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

• To mark the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death, Discover England Tours has introduced a four-night Literary Tour visiting the author's family homes in Bath and Lyme Regis; her grave in Winchester Cathedral; and film locations from screen adaptations of novels. The four-night tour costs from £1,135pp (two sharing). Visit www.discoverenglandtours.com

• A novel way to celebrate 80 years of The Hobbit is on a a canal boat holiday through Tolkien country. Drifters Waterway Holidays offer a week on a four-person narrow boat from £800. They recommend a trip exploring the village of Sarehole (now Hall Green), Moseley Bog, the Malvern Hills, and nearby Bromsgrove, Alcester and Alvechurch. To receive a free copy of The Hobbit quote "Tolkien" when booking a journey incorporating Worcester and Birmingham Canal, departing from Alvechurch. Visit www.drifters.co.uk

• It's hard to believe it's been two decades since Harry Potter first appeared. Visit the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden to fly on a broomstick, see the Hogwarts Express and drink real butter beer. Until March 31, Directing Dobby uncovers behind-the-scenes secrets of house-elf Dobby. Visit www.wbstudiotour.co.uk