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We visited the Jane Austen house in Bath, England the last time we were in the city.
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I love Jane Austen and some of her books are some of my all-time favorites, so I never pass up the chance to visit any Jane Austen site whenever I’m near. That was one of the reasons why we chose to be in Bath, a city where two of her books, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, were primarily set and where she also lived for some time in her life.
A Bit About Bath
Bath, for those not familiar with it, is a city in Somerset, England. It is known for its ancient Roman baths, naturally heated and improved by the Romans during their time in England, and said to have some healing properties. Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is around an hour and a half from London. Learn more about this fascinating and once-fashionable city here.
Jane Austen Centre
The Jane Austen house in Bath is officially called the Jane Austen Centre. It is situated in the center of the city, near many famous attractions like the Roman Baths, the Assembly Rooms, and The Circus.
The Georgian building that houses the Center isn’t one of the number of houses where Ms. Austen lived while in Bath, but it’s located in the same street where she stayed last in the city in 1805.
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Visiting the Jane Austen Centre
We visited the Jane Austen Centre on a Saturday. Since it’s just in the city’s heart, we walked there from the main train station.
The Center is a small house or a unit in a building of at least two floors. At the entrance, there was a gentleman who was attired in Regency fashion (Jane Austen’s books were set during the country’s Regency period) and there was also a statue of a woman similarly dressed in the same style. We were pleasantly surprised that the same theme can be found inside—many were in costumes, too. That was nice since it gave the place an authentic vibe.
We bought our tickets in the lobby. On a side note, I found the tickets a bit pricey and for a moment I was debating whether to buy or not because as we were already nearing the end of that particular trip, my funds were already sort of depleted, heh. But oh well, it’s Jane Austen… So okay…
Show
After paying for our tickets, we were led to a room where they show you a short film, 20 minutes or so, about Jane Austen, a bit of her life, her works, how Bath influenced some of them, and life in Bath during the 1800s.
There were a few minutes of waiting involved before the show started as we waited for more people to fill the seats. In the end, about more than a dozen other people were with us.
Tour
After the show, we were led around the house, on both floors, and were shown exhibits of Jane Austen’s works, life in the 1800s, fashion during that period, and the like. There were tables equipped with writing instruments from the Regency period (not sure if they were authentic, but they were nice and did the job) like a quill and ink that you can try writing with.
The attendants were in costumes and you could don your own Regency period costume too and have your picture taken if you want.
Overall, the tour was interesting and a nice way to get a good look at and know more about, Jane Austen and her works as well as take a glimpse of the period in which Jane Austen lived and set her novels.
Gift Shop
After the tour, we proceeded to the gift shop and bought myself some souvenirs. Even if I was already on a tight budget, I managed to snag a canvas bag and a bookmark. Ha. The canvas bag had a Jane Austen silhouette which is pretty and the bookmark was magnetic with a captivating statement (see photo below). There were other pretty Jane Austen-themed items for sale that I would love to go back to. Next time, next time… For those looking for other wonderful Jane Austen memorabilia to snag, here are some you can try.
Tea Room
The Centre has a Tea Room where you can have some tea, snacks and a light lunch. The area looked nice, fancy, and cozy. We were tempted to try it, but, again, tight budget and all… So, again, maybe next time.
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Is Jane Austen’s house worth visiting?
The Jane Austen Centre in Bath is a popular attraction for fans of her work. It is a museum that provides insights into Jane Austen’s life, the Regency era, and the impact of Bath on her writing. While Jane Austen did not live in Bath for an extended period, her association with the city is noteworthy and a visit to the centre offers an immersive experience for Austen enthusiasts.
Wrap Up
So that’s our experience with the Jane Austen Center in Bath. It was a nice way to pay homage to my favorite English author and add more to my Jane Austen knowledge bank.
If you are a Janeite or an Austenite (as fans of Jane Austen are called), or even if you’re not but would like to know what makes Jane Austen one of the greatest writers that ever lived don’t miss visiting the Jane Austen house in Bath and book here in advance for convenience.
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Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!
My son will be spending a year in England! Adding this to my must see list!
I would LOVE to go someday! Thank you for the tour and information!