Our selection of the best books about England includes fiction and non-fiction titles. If you are looking for the best fiction or non-fiction book to read about England whether it is classic novels set in England, historical novels set in England or even books set in London we have a great selection to choose from.
Read on and discover our selection of the best books about England. We are constantly adding to this post based on suggestions from our Facebook group – UK Travel Planning – plus any new books we discover.
If there is a category you would like us to include please get in touch! Also if you are specifically looking for UK travel guide books we have a post dedicated to that particular topic which you can find here.
Best books about England : Non -fiction
Coffee table books about England
- Our Hearts Are in England – Travel along scenic byways to visit quaint villages, glorious gardens, and quintessential cottages in this beautifully designed book.
- English Gardens: From the Archives of Country Life Magazine – Enjoy the glories of English gardening in this wonderfully illustrated book.
- Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds – A captivating portrait of 20 of the greatest British gardens and the lords, ladies and gardeners who own and manage them.
- The Most Beautiful Villages of England – Visually stunning journey through about 36 villages in England.
- Buckingham Palace: The Interiors – Interior designer and artist Ashley Hicks presents his photographs and description of the interior design of Buckingham Palace, home of Britain’s royal family since 1837.
- The English Country House: From the Archives of Country Life – Take a look at the architecture and interiors of sixty-two stunning houses in a range of architectural styles spanning seven centuries—from the medieval Stokesay Castle to the newly built, Lutyens-inspired Corfe Farm.
- Highgrove: An English Country Garden – Beautiful book with extensive photos and descriptions of the Highgrove in different seasons.
Books about English culture, life, language and travel
- Watching The English – Kate Fox looks beyond the superficial differences to reveal the unwritten rules that define English national identity and character.
- Understanding The British: A hilarious guide from Apologising to Wimbledon – The British are not who you think they are…In fact, they’re not even who they think they are! Come on a hilarious tour of the most misunderstood people on Earth.
- How to Speak Brit: Discover the origins of English sayings, slang and idioms in this charming little book.
- Put The Kettle On: An American’s Guide to British Slang, Telly and Tea – Take a peek behind the curtains and learn about the language, customs and food of the Brits.
- Notes from a Small Island – Bill Bryson’s irreverent and hilarious journey through the beloved island nation he called home for two decades.
- The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain – Bill Bryson follows a straight line through England —from Bognor Regis to Cape Wrath—and shows us every pub, stone village, and human foible along the way.
- Counting Sheep – Want to know what kind of sheep you are walking or driving past in England? This is the book for you!
- Love, Nina: A Nanny Writes Home – An autobiography and memoir of a nanny in 1980s London who lands a job looking after the children of the editor of the “London Review of Books”. Her letters reflect an entertaining account of her life working for the family for 5 years.
Historical books about England
- Great Tales from English History – Discover the stories that made England — from Ethelred the Unready to Richard the Lionheart, the Venerable Bede to Piers the Ploughman.
- The English and Their History – An historical overview of the history of England in one volume.
- Foundation: The History of England from Its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors – Peter Ackroyd brings the story of England to life in this first volume.
- 1066 And All That: A Memorable History of England – Enjoy the author’s own unique interpretation of events that has made the book a classic.
Books set in England – Fiction
Popular fiction
- Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is an award winning novel about a woman who lives her life over and over again.
- Middle England by Jonathan Cope follows the lives of a number of characters around the time of the Brexit vote in the Uk (2016) It is actially the third book in a trilogy. Read “The Rotter’s Club” and “The Closed Circle” first!
- The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan is a fun royal romance inspired by Wills and Kate featuring an American girl who moves to Oxford and falls in love with the heir to the crown.
- Mrs England by Stacey Halls – Set in the North Yorkshire moors in 1904 the book tells the story of chidren’s nurse Ruby May who takes a job in a remote mansion in Yorkshire.
- White teeth by Zadie Smith is based around the lives of two friends Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal who become friends during World War II.
- Mr Finchley Discovers His England – This gentle comedy trilogy was a runaway bestseller on first publication in the 1930s and retains a timeless appeal today.
- Ann Cleeves Vera Stanhope Series – Familiar to those of us who love the TV series Vera based on the novels by Ann Cleeves.
Historical fiction
- A King’s Ransom: A Novel – Sharon Penman follows up her acclaimed novel Lionheart with the vivid and heart-wrenching story of the last event-filled years in the life of Richard I of England, Coeur de Lion.
- The Railway Detective (Inspector Robert Colbeck) – bestselling Victorian mystery series.
- Tudor Court Series – consists of 6 books The Boleyn Inheritance, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Other Queen, The Constant Princess, The Virgins Lover and The Queens Fool.
- The Evening and the Morning – The thrilling and addictive prequel to The Pillars of the Earth set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages
- Wolf Hall – A fictionalised look at the rise of Thomas Cromwell and winner of the 2019 Man Booker Prize.
Classic English novels
- The Complete Novels of Jane Austen – because you can’t have mention British literature without Jane Austen appearing on the list!
Best books about London
- Bizarre London: Discover the Capital’s Secrets & Surprises – A charming gift book of the strangest and most intriguing stories of London.
- London: A Travel Guide Through Time – Guide to six extraordinary periods in London’s history—the ages of Shakespeare, medieval city life, plague, coffee houses, the reign of Victoria and the Blitz.
- prettycitylondon: Discovering London’s Beautiful Places – This stunning guide includes tips on how to photograph and plan your own prettycitylondon experience, whether on foot or from afar.
- London in Bloom – London in Bloom showcases the floral abundance of the English capital’s extraordinary parks, gardens, florists, and flower markets.
- Pretty Little London: A Seasonal Guide to the City’s Most Instagrammable Places – A curated guide to the most chic, stylish and unique sites in London, from the creators of the hugely successful Instagram account @prettylittlelondon.
- The London Book: Highlights of a Fascinating City – includes over 300 images of London’s major attractions.
- National Geographic London Book of Lists: The City’s Best, Worst, Oldest, Greatest, and Quirkiest -140 lists covering the city’s best, worst, highest, smallest, first, last, and everything in-between.
Best books about England for kids
- Theodore’s British Adventure – Go on a journey with Theodore and learn about great places to visit including London, Bath, and the Cotswolds.
- Katie In London – Come on a magical tour with Katie and discover London’s most famous sights!
- Good Night England – This charming board book gives little ones a personal tour of one of the world’s most beloved countries. Famous English landmarks and attractions include Stonehenge, York, the Cotswolds and more
- Hey Kids! Let’s Visit London England: Fun, Facts and Amazing Discoveries for Kids – Full of photos and fun facts about London and London attractions.
- Mission London: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure – Mission London takes young travellers through the famous sights of London, engaging them in an exciting scavenger hunt as you explore city landmarks together.