Moors to marshland

Britain’s landscapes have inspired many a literary text, from the dark dystopias of J. G. Ballard to Thomas Hardy’s Wessex wanderers. The British Library’s Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands exhibition celebrates some of the most outstanding works in its collection.

What is it?

The exhibition features more than 150 works spanning the past 1,000 years of literary history, presented alongside letters, photographs, maps, lyrics, drawings and specially commissioned films and interviews. It is divided into six themes: rural dreams; the industrial muse; wild places; waterlands; cockney visions; and beyond the city.

How to book

The exhibition is open daily, except Wednesdays, from 11 May to 25 September. Student tickets cost #163;5. The exhibition will be accompanied by free school workshops and GCSE and A level lectures. See www.bl.ukwhatsonexhibitionswritingbritain for details and information on how to book.