His books include Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, Oliver Twist and Dombey and Son.
Dickens is associated with London, writing about some of its worst and most corrupt institutions, often wandering the capital city’s streets at night thinking about plots for his novels.
But he travelled across the country and abroad, delivering lectures and theatrical productions.
But he travelled across the country and abroad, delivering lectures and theatrical productions.
5. Scarborough
Following these readings, Dickens and company needed to travel to Scarborough for two readings on Monday September 13. They were given at what was more recently Pizza Hut in Huntriss Row.
6. Boroughbridge
Some ten miles north east of Harrogate is Boroughbridge, through which Nicholas Nickleby passed on his way south from Dotheboys Hall, finding shelter in a barn.
7. Leeds
The first recorded visit made by Dickens to Leeds was when he chaired a meeting at Leeds Mechanics’ Institute in December 1847. He shared the platform with engineer George Stephenson. He was given a standing ovation after giving a speech on education, one of his favourite topics. Another ten years later Dickens returned with The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices. He was not a fan of Leeds, arriving at the station – branded “a little rotten platform” – into a city “I particularly detest as an odious place”.
8. Malton
Given his opinion of Halifax and Harrogate was also less than flattering, it is a wonder Dickens’ ever left home! Dickens’ brother Alfred and his family lived at Norton, near Malton, Alfred involved in building the York to Scarborough Railway in July 1843. Dickens and his wife stayed at Easthorpe Hall, Malton, with his friend Charles Smithson, a solicitor and model for Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.