Famous writers and literary figures have lived, loved and died in the west country. In this trail, you can find out which places are forever associated with famous writers. Many places are well-known; others still hide their literary history. Use this page to seek them out!

See the many unique objects from the world's finest Thomas Hardy collection in the new Dorset Writers' Gallery. Step inside his study, read his original manuscripts. Come face to face with the eerie Ooser and meet William Barnes, the Dorset Poet, the Powys brothers, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Jane Austen.

Bath is full of literary history! From 17th to 18th centuries nearly every literary person stayed here: Goldsmith, Sheridan, Dickens, Wordsworth, Shelley, Pope - to name but a few. Jane Austen (1775-1817) enjoyed holidays and lived here for a while, frequenting the Pump Room. Two novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were set here.

Charles Dickens' study is recreated in the Book Museum, one of the smallest of Bath's 16 museums. Here is displayed something of the many authors who knew or lived in Bath, The traditional craft of bookbinding is also featured, with a reconstruction of a 19th century bindery.

Book Museum, Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JW. Tel 01225 466000.

Portrayed in Jane Austen's Persuasion, Lyme Regis boasts more than its share of writers. The Philpot Museum tells you all about them. John Fowles' French Lieutenant's Woman has Lyme written all over it (he still lives here). Henry Fielding caused a scandal here. Beatrix Potter came to stay. So can you!

Did you know the Rime of the Ancient Mariner was written in Somerset? Learn more about the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his cottage home at Nether Stowey, where he lived from 1796. The National Trust owns it now and lets you round between April and October.

Coleridge Cottage, 35 Lime Street, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 1NQ. Tel 01278-732662.

Guess what? The Shelley Rooms in Shelley Park, Bournemouth tell you all about the poet Shelley (Percy Bysshe, no less) who lived 1792-1822. His collections were brought back here to his son's house from his last home in Italy. "Oh Wind, if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" (Ode to the West Wind).

"Alas, poor Yorick" is alive, well and living in Bournemouth. Famous actor Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) has his own room in Russell-Cotes Museum. Strong character, natural actor and the first to be knighted: "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again".

This is Tarka Country! Henry Williamson's famous otter story is one of the best loved nature yarns. Learn about him and Tarka in the Museum's Tarka Room; study the life of otters and with interactives journey around north Devon's rivers. Barnstaple was also birthplace in 1685 of poet & dramatist John Gay.

Agatha Christie, the world's most published crime writer, was born in Torquay in 1890. At the Museum, learn about her life;

In Torre Abbey you can see Agatha Christie's personal possessions and original manuscripts displayed in her recreated study. Irish playwright Sean O'Casey also lived here for nearly 40 years.

Visit Salisbury on the Trail to find out about local author John Creasey. Did you know he used no less than 23 pseudonyms?! All editions in all languages of his books are preserved in the City Library, plus the Creasey Collection of Contemporary Art.

John Moore, local writer and naturalist, has his own museum in Tewkesbury, where he was born 1907. He wrote over 40 books - have you read The Brensham Trilogy, which "breathes the very spirit of our native land"? Moore died 1967, having made his name as an unrivalled chronicler of the English countryside.