George Eliot Country

 

In a century which produced many great novelists, one of the greatest was George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans). Born on the Arbury Estate in 1819, she lived her first 21 years at Griff House, midway between Nuneaton and Bedworth.

 

Blessed with acute powers of observation of physical surroundings and human foibles, George Eliot drew on her childhood experiences to produce work like ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ and ‘The Mill on the Floss’ which are securely based in her native north Warwickshire.

 

During 2007 the Scenes Revisited festival celebrated the 150th anniversary of George Eliot's first work of fiction, 'Scenes of Clerical Life'. This Heritage Lottery Funded festival included talks, trails, concerts, drama and family activities.

 

 

The George Eliot: Scenes Trail and George Eliot Country: A Guide leaflets are now available and were produced as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded project.  These guides give locals and visitors alike an opportunity to learn more about the writer and the places which inspired her stories.  

 

These are available to download from this page. Alternatively, for hard copies contact the Tourism Officer on (024) 7637 6490 or tourism@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk

 

There are also two new George Eliot Country podcasts. Why not download a driving or walking tour on-line now?

 

Visitors can also participate in a George Eliot Country guided coach tour on Sunday 14 September 2008 during Heritage Open Days Weekend, taking in places of interest relating to George Eliot and her life.

 

She is commemorated in many ways in the Borough. The hospital bears her name; most wards are named after characters in her books. Several schools take their names from her novels and there is a statue, an obelisk and garden in her honour, in Nuneaton’s town centre.

 

The George Eliot Fellowship, with strong local support, has over 500 members worldwide, and exists to honour and promote interest in her life and work.

 

Mary Ann was baptised at Chilvers Coton Parish Church and her father and other relations are buried there. In ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ she calls it Shepperton. Nuneaton itself is called Milby and there are clear references to St Nicolas Parish Church, the vicarage, and the Red Lion pub, now The George Eliot in Bridge Street. 

 

The Museum & Art Gallery, with its important George Eliot collection, includes a reconstructed drawing room from the 1860s.

 

The nearby Library has one of the best collections of Eliot related books and documents in the country.

Beyond the town centres, visitors can enjoy other quiet spots in George Eliot Country. The hamlet of Astley (Eliot's "Knebley" in "Scenes of Clerical Life") is a delight and the nearby Arbury Hall ("Cheverel Manor") is an awe-inspiring gothic manor house on the outskirts of Nuneaton. Griff House is now a hotel, restaurant and pub – an ideal place for a short break.

 

For lovers of literature why not take time out to visit nearby Astley Book Farm and the traditional market town of Atherstone, which is making its name as the area’s first “Book Town”.

 

Further tourist information and visitor guides can also be requested.

 

Windows on Warwickshire is an interactive web-site which allows you to explore Warwickshire's fascinating heritage. The web-site includes a "spotlight" on George Eliot, Writing from the Heart, with information and activities for younger users.