Botswana is a country located in southern Africa. It is landlocked by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Nambia. 70% of the country is covered by the Kalahari Desert, and the country suffers from droughts. 

Hilary and Gerald lived in Botswana for 5 years, from 1977-1982, where Hilary worked as a social worker. She gained inspiration for her first novel while doing her social work in Botswana.

Budleigh Salterton is a small coastal town on the mouth of River Otter. It had about 5,000 residents in 2011. The town is known for its beautiful scenery and is a popular destination for birdwatchers, as all kinds of migratory birds find their way over here. 

Hilary Mantel has been living here with her husband, Gerald, for a little over a decade. They bought an apartment in Budleigh Salterton in 2010.