Joseph’s most celebrated poem, “Warning,” was written in 1961, when she was just twenty-eight. It first appeared in The Listener in 1962 and was later included in her 1974 collection Rose in the Afternoon, The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century English Verse, and her Selected Poems (1992).
The poem gained remarkable popularity in the United States in the early 1980s after Liz Carpenter—former executive assistant to Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and press secretary to First Lady Lady Bird Johnson—ended an article in Reader’s Digest with “Warning.” The article reflected on rediscovering joy in life after recovering from illness, and the poem’s inclusion struck a powerful chord with readers. Soon after, the greeting-card industry embraced the poem, led by graphic designer and calligrapher Elizabeth Lucas. Joseph herself credited Lucas for much of the poem’s success, writing:
“To her business acumen and energy I owe a hospitable following in California and later throughout northern America, more social, as I said, than literary.”
In 1996, a BBC poll named “Warning” the United Kingdom’s “most popular post-war poem,” confirming its lasting cultural impact.
Its iconic opening lines—
“When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me”—
went on to inspire the Red Hat Society, an international social organization celebrating aging with boldness and joy.
Such was the poem’s popularity that an illustrated gift edition, first published by Souvenir Press in 1997, has since been reprinted forty-one times. “Warning” was also included in the anthology Tools of the Trade: Poems for New Doctors (Scottish Poetry Library, 2014), and a copy was gifted to every graduating doctor in Scotland that year.
Ironically, Joseph herself disliked the colour purple, which is precisely why she chose it for the poem—a quiet act of rebellion that mirrored the poem’s spirit of playful defiance.
In 2021, the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford announced that the one-millionth image digitised for the Digital Bodleian project was Joseph’s first handwritten draft of “Warning,” a fitting tribute to a poem that continues to inspire readers across generations.
Minera hall was built in the late 1700s. It was the residence of the Burton family. The hall is a three storey structure with two pane sash windows. Featuring a single storey extension and pendiment with an oval plaque. It is listed as a Royal commission of the arts and museam group ( RCAHW ) property and is a significant historical site of the area
There are many incredible scientists, authors, and philosophers who’ve left their mark on the world, and the Limehouse Library Hotel in London makes sure they get the recognition they deserve. All 75 of their rooms are named after major historical figures, from Jane Austen to George Orwell.
Photo Credit: Limehouse Library Hotel London
These aren’t just standard hotel spaces. They’re crafted with intention and detail to honor the icons they represent. You can choose from superior double rooms, deluxe king options, deluxe suites, and spacious duplex suites.
Once the home of Scottish aristocrats, Neidpath Castle and its cottages in Peebles, Scotland, hold a timeless history that carries into the present. Those who visit will be spoiled with a stay surrounded by Scottish nature and accommodation options designed with readers in mind.
Barn’s Library is the room option to keep an eye out for. It’s a real retreat, with a four-poster bed and a wood-burning stove that keeps the space nice and toasty for when you settle in with a few books from the dedicated selection provided for guests.
The Hypatia Trust in Penzance is a fantastic organization that publishes materials celebrating women’s accomplishments. You won’t find many bookstores like this in this part of the UK, which makes their commitment to celebrating women even more impressive.
Photo Credit: The Hypatia Trust
At their site in Penzance, they offer a homely, spacious two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, patio, and plush couches, available for traveling literary enthusiasts. It’s also dog-friendly, and the profits support the charity.
It was famed author Henry Williamson who first owned the site where the Studio and Hut stand today. The writer behind works such as Tarka the Otter left a clear imprint on this property in Georgeham, with his original author’s hut still standing firmly in the garden.
The Studio and Hut have the charm of a secluded cabin in the woods, completely removed from everyday life. Small details such as a dedicated reading area and a selection of books, including some by Williamson himself, bring the entire setting together.
The University Arms Hotel is a true literary getaway in Cambridge that’s guaranteed to appeal to admirers of the written word. The experience begins in the library, where shelves filled with books line the walls and readers gather in the center to discuss their favorite titles.
Each room follows the book-inspired theme as well, with some featuring designated bookshelves that divide the space, luxury bedding, and marble bathrooms that add a lavish touch. Guests will also be treated to a wealth of extras, including a literature-focused themed afternoon tea and a book butler service that delivers new reads to your room if the selection provided doesn’t suit your style.
A former school dating back to the 19th century, Tigharry Schoolhouse in the Outer Hebrides is a paradise for anyone with an affinity for books. Why? It has a library of up to 1,000 texts, all neatly arranged to create an eye-catching display and plenty for guests to dive into.
Photo Credit: Tigharry Schoolhouse
When you’re not flicking through the collection, which covers topics like travel, science, design, and more, you’ll likely be relaxing in the Scandinavian-themed communal spaces. These come complete with pendant lighting, grooved walls, and a wood burner.
How does spending a night in the only prime ministerial library in all of the UK sound? That’s what you have the opportunity to do at Gladstone’s Library at Deeside. With 26 clean, modern rooms on site, readers can stay over and make use of all the library’s facilities, including the reading and theology rooms and communal lounges.
Photo Credit: Sam Warrenger
In Gladstone’s Library, there’s a wealth of items waiting to be discovered, such as a collection belonging to Gladstone himself. Even though the building dates back to 1902, it’s a spectacular sight to behold with its dark wooden beams, imposing arches, and cozy reading corners. Plus, the money earned from bookings goes directly towards maintaining the site, so you know it’s being put to good use.
The Boatman’s Reading Rooms were originally created as a refuge for sailors working in the area. Today, it’s a calm and refreshing escape with impressive views of the English Channel, giving bookworms a quiet place to unwind for a few nights in Kent.
Several thoughtful details make the Boatman’s Reading Rooms stand out, including a library set aside for visitors and a few pieces honoring the great Charles Dickens himself.
