Feature by Faye Claridge, web producer
One of North Warwickshire’s most famous offspring is the classics author, George Eliot.
| |  | Arbury Hall, highlight of the guided tour
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Justifiably proud of this fact, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council organise a number of guided tours each year, to show places associated with George Eliot’s life to enthusiasts from all over the world.
The tours take in a fascinating range of locations, from churches to manor houses and farms, all of which were important to the great writer’s life and works.
Press the images button below to see a selection of photographs from the guided tour, showing a variety of beautiful and historic places in the area.
These include George Eliot’s birthplace, childhood home and church, along with places she used for scenes in her books.
| |  | Chilvers Coton Church, where George Eliot was baptised
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Throughout the tour the knowledgeable guides are on-hand to point out passages from George Eliot’s books that describe the areas visited. This is the highlight of each visit as you stand in a building George Eliot knew well and hear it brought to life in one of her novels.
George Eliot used a number of different names for the places that inspired her during her childhood around Nuneaton and it is fascinating to see these ‘fictional’ places still standing.
| |  | Visitors enjoying Arbury Hall gardens
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The tours are a unique way of appreciating the unusual heritage of the Nuneaton area and appeal to local tourists as well as book-lovers.
On the trip I took, the 50-strong group included a variety of people that were interested in George Eliot and those that were simply curious to learn more about their area.
There were a number of local people, along with two large book groups (from Stoke-on-Trent and Leicester) and a researcher all the way from Japan.
Follow the George Eliot Locations link on the left for details of the places visited on the guided tour and their connections to George Eliot.
| |  | Eliot's birthplace, South Farm, can only be visited on an official guided tour
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Only a very limited number of tours are organised by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council each year.
The remaining date for 2003 is 14 September, from 1.30pm – 8pm. We will have 2004’s dates here as soon as they are announced.
The tours are £12 for adults and £8.50 for children and take a whole day.
For more information about the guided tours, pick up the leaflet from the local libraries or call the tourism officer on 024 7637 6490.
There is also a website, linked on the left, that gives more information.
Follow the links on the left for more insights into George Eliot's local connections.
We have biographical details, rare archive photographs, a virtual tour of Nuneaton, a photographic walking tour and more.
Explore and enjoy.
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