2025 is a special year for fans of Jane Austen, one of literature’s most beloved authors, who was born in 1775. 250th anniversary events and celebrations are taking places across the UK, but notably in Bath, which counts Austen as its most famous former resident.
From dressing up with fellow Austen fans as one of her much-loved characters, to learning more about Austen’s connection to Bath with special talks, tours and trails, exploring Bath locations used in screen adaptations of Jane’s novels, or staying at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels on a themed package, there are a host of ways visitors can channel their inner Austen.
Here Visit Bath highlights ways to celebrate 250 years of one of the world’s most renowned authors and imagine the Regency-era Bath she vividly brought to life on the pages of her novels:
FESTIVALS, EVENTS, PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITIONS
Jane Austen Festival: On Dec. 16, 1775, Jane Austen was born in Hampshire. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the event, the Jane Austen Festival will be holding extra special events throughout 2025, including the September Festival, Sept. 12-21. The Grand Regency Promenade will take place on Sept. 13. Three balls will also take place – a Persuasion nautical-themed ball on May 31, followed by a Sanditon seaside-themed ball on June 28, marking the first time the festival has hosted two summer balls in its history. The third will be a special Yuletide Birthday Ball on Dec. 13 at the Pump Room Restaurant.
The Jane Austen Centre: Learn about, dress like and even eat like Jane Austen at the interactive and immersive centre dedicated to the author, which looks at her life and the impact of Bath on her writing. No visit is complete without ‘Tea with Mr. Darcy’ in the Regency Tea Room.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) at The Theatre Royal Bath (April 14-18): Direct from its triumph in the West End the award-winning ‘Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)’ is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate production.
Illustrating Austen at The Holburne Museum (Sept. 2025-Jan. 2026): The Holburne Museum will offer audiences the chance to see the artwork behind their favourite Austen novels. Centring around Austen’s stories and the characters she created, ‘Illustrating Austen’ will demonstrate how our favourite characters came to life on the page and have evolved through the years, reflecting the changing times and new audiences.
An Audience with Lucy Worsley on Jane Austen (May 27): Acclaimed historian Lucy Worsley leads a look into the life of one of English literature’s most cherished figures. For these live, beautifully illustrated talks, Lucy discusses the world of the beloved author of timeless classics such as ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Persuasion.’
Austen Lost & Found with The Natural Theatre Co. (Dates throughout 2025): Bath’s Natural Theatre Company will be performing their immersive ‘Austen Lost and Found’ theatre show throughout the year using the city itself as a stage. Join them for witty walkabout performances exploring Jane’s life, creative ideas, and adventures.
TOURS AND EXHIBITIONS
Free audio walking tour: Focusing on Jane Austen and her life in Bath, Visit Bath’s tour takes in the highlights of the city and includes extracts from Jane Austen’s novels and letters, which describe Bath as it would have been in its Georgian heyday. The tour takes approximately one-and-a-half hours but stop at any point to visit a museum or go into a café or shop.
Jane Austen and Austentatious Bath with In and Beyond Bath: This special day tour curated by In and Beyond Bath will take in locations in the Cotswolds, Lacock and Bath connected to Jane. The eight-hour itinerary includes lunch and a cream tea. Available Monday to Friday throughout 2025 as a group or private tour.
The Jane Austen Bath Photo Tour: This tour focuses on Jane Austen’s various lodgings in Bath, the places mentioned in Northanger Abbey and the locations used in various films of her novels. The tour will also take in other historic and picturesque buildings en route.
Sydney Gardens Jane Austen Trail: Explore Jane Austen’s relationship with the Georgian Pleasure Gardens. Jane lived just across the road at No 4 Sydney Place between 1801 and 1804 and wrote of Sydney Gardens both in letters and several of her novels (Persuasion and Northanger Abbey).
THEMED ACCOMMODATION AND PACKAGES
The Gainsborough Hotel: Two six-day programs take place April 7-12 April and Oct. 13 -18 where literature enthusiasts from around the globe are invited into Jane Austen’s world in the luxurious surroundings of The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel. The program will include talks covering a range of topics from ‘Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen‘ by author Sarah Jane Dowling to ‘Gaming & Gambling and the Games Austen’s Characters Play’ with Dr Leigh Wetherall Dickson, a visit to the village of Lacock, whose picturesque streets were seen in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ while other activities include a Regency dance workshop, an embroidery class, a celebratory dinner and an indulgent Jane Austen themed Afternoon Tea.
For those looking for a fully immersive experience, Strictly Jane Austen is also able to arrange for guests to enjoy all these experiences in full Regency costume, which will be delivered to the hotel at the start of the program.
Georgian Getaway in Bath at The Francis Hotel: Immerse yourself in the ambiance of the Georgian era with The Francis Hotel’s enticing two-night experience. Explore the Georgian townhouse museum No.1 Royal Crescent and The Jane Austen Centre and be captivated by the journey through the history of Bath, tracing the footsteps of Jane Austen. Afterwards return to the hotel for a Bridgerton cocktail and a traditional afternoon tea.
Mr Darcey’s Abode – Bath Luxury Rentals: Among Bath Luxury Rentals’ portfolio of charming Georgian townhouses is Mr. Darcy’s Abode. This chic boutique self-catering property provides the perfect pad for a group stay in Bath marking Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, with seven bedrooms, four luxury bathrooms, a spacious kitchen and cozy snug.
Hotel Indigo Bath – Literary Hideaway Rooms: The City centre boutique hotel, set amongst 11 Georgian townhouses. features Literary Hideaway Rooms with walls of novels from many of Bath’s famous authors including Jane Austen, a writer’s desk and a unique design which creates the perfect setting for our guests to lose themselves on a good book or inspire a masterpiece themselves.
FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES
Sally Lunns: Sally Lunn’s is one of the oldest houses in Bath (c.1482) and serves one of the most famous local delicacies – the original Sally Lunn bun. According to legend, Sally Lunn, a French refugee, arrived in 1680 and established her bakery.
Afternoon Tea at Roseate Villa Bath: Experience a quintessentially English tea tradition with touches of modernity with an afternoon tea at the Villa. A Jane Austen blend tea accompanies freshly baked scones, cakes and sandwiches all made by Roseate Villa’s fabulous house baker.
Afternoon Tea at The Pump Room Restaurant: The Georgian Pump Room has been the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries and is where Jane Austen regularly visited during her time in the city to ‘take the waters.’ Take a seat under the chandelier, enjoy afternoon tea and sample the spa water from the fountain, whilst listening to classical music from the Pump Room Trio and pianist.
Visit Bath also recommends combining the city with a visit to her house in Winchester, her resting place in Hampshire and Chatsworth House in the Peak District – used in the 2005 adaption of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ – for a Jane Austen inspired trip around England.
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