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DH Lawrence was a major novelist with truly working class origins. Despite his international reputation he always felt strongly attached to Nottinghamshire, 'the country of his heart' and many of his novels are set around the Hidden Valleys area.

At the age of 15, Lawrence suffered an almost fatal attack of pneumonia and whilst recovering, spent much of his time at Haggs Farm, Underwood, home of the Chambers family. It was whilst at Haggs farm he was inspired to start his writing career. (Jessie Chambers is the beautiful Miriam in 'Sons and Lovers'.)

Many local scenes and sites have inspired his novels and there are many local attractions dedicated to his life and work. Moorgreen inspired parts of 'The White Peacock' and 'Women in Love'. Felley Mill Farm and Pond, Underwood, are Strelley Mill in 'The White Peacock', and Brinsley Colliery Headstocks pay tribute to the mine where his father worked.

Lawrence later married a German woman, Frieda, and travelled around the globe to places such as Ceylon, Italy, Australia, Germany and Mexico.

Lawrence often returned to Nottinghamshire and his masterpieces 'The Rainbow' (set in the Nottinghamshire village of Cossall) and 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' (set around Teversal) were based on local knowledge.

Lawrence's health became poor and Frieda took her dying husband to Germany and then to the South of France in a desperate search for a cure, but he died from tuberculosis near Nice on 2 March 1930, aged 44.

In Eastwood there is a museum in the house where Lawrence was born. Durban House Heritage Centre on Mansfield Road is devoted to local heritage and the works of Lawrence (Phone 01773 717353).

Further information about Old Teversal and the Teversal Conservation Area

Lord Byron is known as the most glamorous of all English poets - handsome and heroic, surrounded by mystery and scandal. The family seat was the incredibly picturesque Newstead Abbey, set in the heart of the Hidden Valleys.

Byron was born in London in 1788 and first came to Nottinghamshire with his Mother in 1798 when, at the age of 10, he inherited his title from his Great Uncle. Unfortunately he was unable to live at Newstead Abbey as the building was derelict and needed repairs.

His boyhood days were spent visiting Annesley to see his 'bright morning star', Mary Chaworth, meeting her on Diadem Hill in the park of Annesley Hall (as featured in the poems 'The Dream' and 'The Hills of Annesley').

Byron was finally able to move into Newstead Abbey in 1809 and it became the scene of many wild parties. In the same year he took his seat in the House of Lords and then left to travel Europe and the Middle East.

He began working on the great literary triumph that made him famous - Cantos I and II of 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' published in 1812. He was connected with Lady Caroline Lamb at this time who called him 'mad, bad and dangerous to know' as he led a hectic social life and wrote constantly!

He eventually left Britain for Europe never to return and continued to write a flow of poetry that proved hugely popular in Britain, Europe and America. In 1818 Newstead Abbey was sold, enabling him to be free of mounting debt and he began the lengthy poem 'Don Juan' which crowned his career.

Byron then joined the Greeks in their fight for independence against the Turks. He died of fever in Messolonghi, Greece, in 1824 and has since been regarded as a national hero by the people of Greece.

Byron's body was returned to the Hidden Valleys where he lies next to his daughter Countess Ada of Lovelace, in St. Mary Magdalene Church, Hucknall.

Further information about Annesley and Newstead Abbey in the Hidden Valleys

Every July an annual Byron Festival is held in the Hidden Valleys. See the Ashfield Events Diary for details.

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