2025 marks a very special year for Bath and its famous former resident Jane Austen, born in 1775.
From dressing up with fellow fans as one of her much-loved characters, to learning more about Jane’s connection to Bath there are special talks, tours and trails. You can explore Bath locations used in screen adaptations of Jane’s novels. Alternatively, stay at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels on a Jane Austen themed package. Below, Visit Bath highlights ways to celebrate 250 years of one of the world’s most renowned authors. Follow in Jane’s footsteps and imagine the Regency-era Bath she vividly brought to life on the pages of her novels.
FESTIVALS, EVENTS, PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITIONS
Jane Austen Festival 2025
Friday 12 – Sunday 21 September 2025
On December 16th 1775 Jane Austen was born in Hampshire. To celebrate this momentous year in Austen history the Jane Austen Festival will be holding extra special events throughout 2025 and the September Festival. The Grand Regency Promenade will take place on Saturday 13 September.
Jane Austen 2025 Balls
The Jane Austen Festival will hold 3 balls next year. Firstly, a Persuasion nautical-themed ball on 31 May. Secondly, a Sanditon seaside-themed ball on 28 June, the first time the festival has hosted two summer balls in its history. Thirdly, there will be a special Yuletide Birthday Ball on Saturday 13 December at the Pump Room Restaurant.
The Jane Austen Centre
Learn about, dress like and even eat like Jane Austen. The interactive and immersive centre is 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.
MORE EVENTS
Illustrating Austen at The Holburne Museum
September 2025 – January 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. Plus, you will see how they evolved through the years, reflecting the changing times and new audiences.
An Audience with Lucy Worsley on Jane Austen
Thursday 27 May 2025
Acclaimed historian Lucy Worsley leads us into the life of one of English literature’s most cherished figures. Moreover, in these live, beautifully illustrated talks, Lucy discusses the world of the beloved author of timeless classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) at The Theatre Royal Bath
14-18 April 2025
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.
Austen Lost & Found with The Natural Theatre Company
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.
JANE AUSTEN TOURS AND EXHIBITIONS
Walk in the footsteps of Jane Austen with Visit Bath’s free audio walking tour
Focusing on Jane Austen and her life in Bath, the tour takes in the highlights of the city. It 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 you can stop at any point to visit a museum, café, or shop.
In the Footsteps of Jane Austen: A Free Audio Walking Tour
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 8-hour itinerary includes lunch and a cream tea. Available Monday – Friday throughout 2025 as a group or private tour.
Photo Tours of Bath – 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).
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. No Jane Austen inspired trip to Bath is complete without indulging in a bun!
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 a delicious afternoon tea and sample the spa water from the fountain, whilst listening to classical music from the Pump Room Trio and pianist.
JANE AUSTEN THEMED ACCOMODATION AND PACKAGES
The Gainsborough Hotel and ECT Travel Jane Austen 250 exclusive events and experiences
Two six-day programmes 7-12 April and 13 -18 October 2025
Literature enthusiasts from around the globe are invited into Jane Austen’s world in the luxurious surroundings of The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel. The programme 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 programme.
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.
MORE THEMED ACCOMMODATIONS
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 cosy snug.
Hotel Indigo Bath – Literary Hideaway Rooms
City centre boutique hotel, Indigo Bath, 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.
Combine Bath 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 an inspired trip around England.
For further information and inspiration on Jane Austen 250
How to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Bath, more info at Visit Bath
See Visit Bath for details of events, performances, tours, talks and more. See each individual hotel, museum, and theatre to plan your stay or book tickets.
Bath Celebrates 250 Years of Jane Austen in 2025 – Words by Rachel McAlley & Visit Bath / @LadyRach / @VisitBath
