Despite bookshops being closed for much of last year, nothing could curb the appetite of book lovers nationwide. More than 200 million print books were sold in the UK in 2020, representing an eight-year high.

This increased enthusiasm for reading is by no means surprising. During lockdown, books have provided a means of escape and education - and our homes, in turn, have become staycations, classrooms and even writing lodges.

In the spirit of today's World Book Day 2021 and celebrating authors, illustrators, books and the joy of reading, we offer a selection of incredible homes once occupied by some of our most beloved authors. From the gorgeous period home of the Victorian novelist George Eliot, author of The Mill on the Floss, to the rare riverside property (pictured top) of playwright and screenwriter Robert Bolt, author of A Man for All Seasons, these six properties are definitely worth bookmarking.