John Keats (1795-1820), one of the most famous romantic poets, visited Box Hill in November 1817. He wrote 'Endymion' and then stayed on longer to write 'In drear-nighted December'. On 22nd November 1817 he wrote a letter to Mr J.H. Reynolds of Conduit Street about the inspiration of Box Hill; (A man should have the fine point of his soul taken off to become fit for this world. I like this place very much - there is hill and dale and a little river. I went up Box Hill this evening after the moon - you a' seen the moon - came down - and wrote some lines. Whenever I am separated from you and not engaged in a continued poem - every letter shall bring you a lyric.)
