October
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Top Ten Fictional Places in Literature by Isabelle Sudron
We’ve all finished reading a book before bed, only to dream of being in the same fictional land all night. Some locations will always stick in your head, whether they’re terrifying, inconceivable or just plain fantastic. Here’s a few of my favourites, the ones that didn’t give me nightmares and that I still dream of existing as my home in the near future!
1. Wonka’s Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
No children’s fantasy land would be complete without obscene amounts of sweets and chocolate. Roald Dahl’s chocolate factory not only had streams of chocolate and candy flavour research rooms, it also Oompa Loompa’s and the charming Willy Wonka himself. Who wouldn’t want to hang out there every weekend?
Perfect for: Sweet-tooths
2. Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
Despite being full of danger and hazards, everyone wishes Narnia was just a short trip through their own wardrobe. Sure, there’s the terrifying White Witch and her haunting sorcery to watch out for, but there’s also tonnes of snow and mythical creatures – it evens out!
Perfect for: Winter lovers
3. The Magic Faraway Tree
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
This book is full of so many different lands that you’re spoilt for choice! There’s the Land of Topsy Turvy, the Land of Dreams and, my personal favourites, the Land of Do-As-You-Please and the Land of Presents. There’s no chance of getting bored in the Magic Faraway Tree as there’s always another entertaining (and may I say, clearly named) place to visit!
Perfect for: Dreamers
4. Laputa
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
Laputa is one of many remote realms on Gulliver’s travels but arguably one of the best. Where Gulliver was tied down by tiny people in Liliput and caged by giants in Brobdingnag, he was welcomed by the coolest guys in fantasy-lands here. Laputa is a floating land, it’s levitation of which is controlled by magnetic forces. The residents are devoted to music and mathematics, though they struggle to use their knowledge for practical use, including constructing buildings or even making well-fitting clothes. However, they always have a good song on.
Perfect for: People lacking common sense
5. The Deep Woods
Beyond the Deep Woods by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
This is my personal favourite! The Deep Woods may be one of the most dangerous locations on this list, but it’s also the one full of the most incredible, mystical creatures you could ever think of. There’s Hoverworms, Banderbears and Caterbirds, just beware of the dreaded Gloamglozer!
Perfect for: Nature lovers
6. Minas Tirith
Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien
Obviously there’s an expanse of wonderful locations in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, as well at their predecessor, The Hobbit. Although the Shire is a tempting favourite, full of cosy, warm hobbit holes, Mina’s Tirith has to come first. It’s the capital of Gondor, has beautiful, stacked architecture and a pretty good view of Mordor.
Perfect for: Fantasy hunters
7. Discworld
Discworld by Terry Pratchett
If you’ve read any of Terry Pratchett’s books, you’ll know the detailed description that comes as part of the package. Discworld is a flat, disc-shaped world that is balanced on the heads of four elephants that are stood on the back of a turtle that floats through space… Talk about elaborate!
Perfect for: Animal lovers
8. Neverland
Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie
What’s not to love about Neverland!? You get to hang out with the lost boys, you can fly and you never grow old!
Perfect for: The young at heart
9. Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne
Castles are pretty cool in their own right but Howl’s castle is even better. This wizard’s home floats above the city with a fire demon roasting in the furnace. The building is also a portal to four different worlds, which can change each time you go through the door. This is the ultimate, dream house for people who can’t make their mind up about where to settle or those who don’t like getting the bus.
Perfect for: Indecisive people
10. Diagon Alley
Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
There’s endless magical places in Rowling’s world of witches and wizardry (pun totally intended). One of my favourites has to be Hogsmeade, specifically Honey Dukes where you can buy Eery Flavour Beans and Exploding Bonbons. However, just pipping it to the post is Diagon Alley, the witches and wizards haven for broom sticks, magic books and potion ingredients. Said to be located in London, invisible to muggles, on can only hope it will still be discovered!
Perfect for: Magic lovers
Isabelle Sudron is a writer, blogger and avid list maker. She currently lives in Hanoi where she teaches English, drinks a lot of coffee and partakes in national dangerous driving. You can find more of her writing at sudrobelle.com.
Nerdy Book Club 
Reblogged this on Sudrobelle.
Hooray for Narnia!
Nice post. I certainly spent a lot of nights dreaming of being in Hogwarts! I also was always very interested in visiting the BFG’S dream catching ground!
I’d like to go to all those places but to be honest, I’d prefer to go to Rivendell before Minas Turith. I recently visited Narnia though.
I definitely would rather Rivendell too. It sounds amazing!
Great idea for a middle school writing assignment!
owsumme post
Awesome list. Feels like there’s more to be said about such places, please do expand…
Wow Im happy im not the only one who dreams of mysterious lands and magical places. My husband thinks im insane for doing so but alas he is a non reader haha. Many times ive dreamed of going to Hogwarts or just visiting the places in the books
~M
I think that Camp Half-Blood or Hogwarts is definitely worth visiting :)))
Aww, this made me feel all snuggly inside haha. So many good memories surrounding these books and places. Do you mind if I take inspiration and write my own version of this? 😀
When I was young we actually had a wardrobe in our house. Yeah, I sat in it. Hoping I could go to Narnia. It got boring after about ten minutes.