Take The Seaside The Jane Austen Way In Bath, England

September 21, 2009 at 12:53 PM | by egw | 1 Comment

It is a truth universally acknowledged that British writer Jane Austen is a huge industry: Look at the runaway success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and its sequel, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. But only real Austen fans will make the pilgrimage to Bath—a popular vacation destination in Jane's day that she actually didn't like very much—for the Jane Austen Festival, which runs till next Sunday the 27th.

Austen lived in Bath for six years and set significant parts of two of her novels in the seaside resort town, but privately admitted to not liking it all that much. Back then, visitors would take salubrious dips in the geothermal hot springs by day and go to the theatre by night; you can still do both of these, although you may be more likely to see Bath Rugby and check into an organic resort like the Thermae Bath Spa.

The festival will bring back more classic Austenian entertainments: Learn to dance like the Bennet sisters on Thursday the 24th, or force your husband to dress like Darcy on Friday the 25th at a forum on Regency fashions at the Theatre Royal.

On Saturday the 26th, one of Austen's original residences at 13 Queen Square will be open to the public for a reading of Jane's letters to her sister Cassandra; don't forget to write home afterwards and tell your mother about the dashing Army sergeant you just met! If you need a place to stay, Hotelchatter recommends The Residence, a converted Georgian-era house with the very 21st century amenity of free WiFi.

Related Stories:
· 2009 Festival Programme [JaneAusten.co.uk]
· The Residence in Bath Is Almost Like Home [HC]
· English Soaked About Bath's Baths [Jaunted]

[Photo of Milsom Street, where ladies like Austen would promenade in Bath: dichohecho]

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