THE JANE AUSTEN EXPERIENCE
Before Starting the Trail
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1. Read Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, Jane Austen's first and last novels, both set in Bath. Her other four novels are not set in Bath. Then, book a trip to Bath.
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2. Know that Jane Austen lived in Bath a number of times during her lifetime. So, you will be able to follow not just the characters from the two novels, but also the author herself.
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3. To follow in the footsteps of Austen as well as the characters in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, download the map and the free audio guide as I did. The below pictures and quotes are based on tracing the path as directed by the audio guide.
The Trail in 6 Steps
The Pump Room, Bath
​Your first stop should be at the Pump Room right next to the Roman Baths' entrance. This is where Catherine and Isabella used to meet.
​ This is a very good place to have your breakfast, Regency style, complete with scones and clotted cream or if you prefer pancakes, this is the place to be!
As you enter Bath, quote these lines from Northanger Abbey, "Her eyes were here, there, everywhere, as they approached its (Bath's) fine and striking environs, and afterwards drove through those streets which conducted them to the hotel. She was come to be happy, and she felt happy already."
The Assembly Halls, Bath
The Assembly Halls are where Catherine and Mr. Tilney met for the first time and also where a number of dance balls were held during the Regency time as well as in Northanger Abbey. The chandeliers are quite grand. There were halls to meet, the dance room, a card room and also a little area for refreshments where even now you can get some sumptuous cake and coffee as well as sandwiches, baguettes and wraps.
The Gravel Path Leading to the Royal Crescent, Bath
This is where Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth in Persuasion confessed their constancy and love for each other as they walked together on this Gravel Path after Wentworth sent Anne that beautiful letter saying, 'I am half-agony, half-hope."
The Royal Crescent, Bath
Just next to the Royal Crescent are the Marlborough Towers where Captain Wallis, a friend of Mr. Elliot, lived.
Jane Austen Center, Bath
There's a Jane Austen Center which any Austen fan must check out. For 11 pounds you get to see the Austen collection with details about her life. You also get to take a picture in the Regency costumes and a Regency set complete with dainty laced table cloth and fruit bowl with Mr. Darcy. The Center itself is in a house on Gay Street a few houses away from where Austen lived in one of her stays in Bath. After the tour of the Center, you can also opt to buy mementos at the gift shop and have a Regency style afternoon tea complete with clotted cream scones and English tea.
Laura Place, Bath
The upper class place on Great Pulteney Street where Lady Dalrymple took up a house for three months in Persuasion. She was the Elliott family's rich relative and since the Elliots could not afford such an expensive place, Austen gave the expensive residential address to the Dalrymples. Interestingly, the Austen family, too were unable to afford this address and took up a house off Pulteney Street.
Jane Austen's House, Bath
Just round the corner from Laura Place's Great Pulteney Street is 4, Sidney Place. There's a plaque announcing 'Jane Austen lived here' from 1801-1805. She would stroll through the Sidney Gardens just opposite while she lived here. Austen enthusiasts can even stay in this house by looking up the address on a hotel website such as booking.com.
Milsom Street
This is the fashion street of Bath, then and now. This is where Catherine and Isabella talk about finding a pretty hat, where Catherine sees Mr Tilney walking with his sister while she is on the carriage with John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey.