Queen Hithe

Home of Thomas Hill, book-collector and part-proprietor of the Monthly Mirror. Southey, who admired Hill’s collection of English poetry, was an occasional visitor.

Skiddaw

Located just north of Keswick, it is the fourth highest mountain in England. A popular place for excursions by the Southeys and their friends, most notably a bonfire held to celebrate the victory at Waterloo in 1815.

Staunton on Wye

Herefordshire village. Southey’s uncle Herbert Hill had been presented to the living there in 1790 by John Hampden-Trevor (1748–1824). Hill was an absentee Vicar and only took up residence in the parish in 1807 on his return from Portugal after the French invasion. He resigned in 1810 when appointed to the living at Streatham.