Set-jetting is set to be a major 2026 trend, with 81 percent of young travellers inspired by films, books, and TV, says Expedia.
The mound to the old town of Edinburgh(Image: Getty Images)
Two Scottish cities have earned a place among the UK’s most celebrated literary destinations, with travellers increasingly seeking experiences inspired by books set in real locations. Edinburgh and Glasgow feature in the top ten most written-about cities in literature, attracting fans eager to walk in the footsteps of their favourite characters.
Set-jetting is tipped to be one of 2026’s biggest travel trends, with 81 percent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers planning trips influenced by movies, books, and TV shows, according to Expedia.
Edinburgh tops the Scottish literary rankings with 19.1 million mentions, edging out Glasgow, which records 16.1 million. The capital’s historic streets and gothic charm have inspired countless novels, from Trainspotting to The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
Glasgow, with its vibrant arts scene and gritty urban character, has long provided the backdrop for works such as Young Adam, No Mean City and The Cutting Room.
Glasgow’s arts scene and gritty streets have inspired novels including Young Adam, No Mean City and The Cutting Room.(Image: Getty Images)
To uncover the most written-about UK cities over the past century, printing experts at Aura Print analysed more than 25 million works in the Google Books archive, covering publications between 1920 and 2019.
London emerged as the undisputed leader, featuring an astonishing 286 million times in books – nearly five times more than any other city.
From Dickens’ smoky alleys to Conan Doyle’s foggy mysteries, the capital has served as both muse and stage for generations of writers. As Dickens once described it, the city was his ‘magic lantern’ that fired his creativity.
Cambridge and Oxford follow in second and third place, amassing over 51 million mentions each. Cambridge’s canals and cobbled streets offer a whimsical literary setting, while Oxford’s mediaeval charm has provided the perfect backdrop for crime and mystery tales.
Literary hotspots: 10 most popular UK cities in books
Rank
City
Most popular decade
Total occurrences in books (1920-2019)
1
London
1960s
286,675,501
2
Cambridge
2010s
52,028,629
3
Oxford
2010s
51,723,380
4
Manchester
1920s
23,578,466
5
Birmingham
1920s
22,321,473
6
Edinburgh
1920s
19,169,975
7
Glasgow
1920s
16,127,504
8
Bristol
1930s
15,725,827
9
Liverpool
1920s
15,034,699
10
Worcester
1920s
11,808,009
Manchester ranks fourth, with 23.5 million mentions, drawing 58 percent more literary attention than Liverpool, which places ninth.
As a UNESCO City of Literature, Manchester’s industrial heritage, hidden quarters, and revolutionary spirit have inspired Gothic and horror writers alike.
Birmingham rounds out the top five most written-about UK cities, with over 22 million mentions. The city has captured the imagination of novelists for decades, holding 74 percent more literary attention than nearby Worcester, which sits tenth.
Among Edinburgh’s literary highlights, visitors can explore the haunts and histories behind novels that have defined Scottish fiction. Glasgow, meanwhile, continues to charm writers with its dynamic urban backdrop and rich cultural scene.
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Across the UK, London, Cambridge and Oxford dominate literary minds, while northern cities such as Manchester and Birmingham offer industrial and historical landscapes that continue to inspire.
Recommended reading for each top city highlights their literary significance: London features A Tale of Two Cities, Sherlock Holmes, and The House by the Thames.
Cambridge is celebrated in The Longest Journey, Death of an Expert Witness, and The Versions of Us, while Oxford appears in Brideshead Revisited, The Last Enchantments, and His Dark Materials.
Manchester’s literary landscape includes Mary Barton, Vurt, and Sirens, while Birmingham appears in The Trick to Time, The Rotters’ Club, and What Was Lost.