It was January 1801 when Jane Austen moved to Bath. Considered a spinster at the grand age of 25, she followed her family as they left the countryside for the southwestern city, where her parents had married decades before. The move was, in hindsight, somewhat mistimed.
Bath had been the beacon of high society in the 18th century, when it climbed the ranks as an elegant spa town, centred around hot springs and built up in Palladian fashion.
By the time the Austens settled in, it was past its heyday. Seaside resorts like Brighton had come into vogue, and wellness retreats in northern Europe had grown more accessible.
Still, their arrival would have fallen in the swing of the 'season', or social calendar.
Between October and June, Bath drew moneyed visitors from London and beyond, who rented flats for weeks on end to make the most of its events. A day might have started by 'taking the waters' - soaking in the Roman Baths, the city's thermal complex. Afternoons were typically spent promenading along fashionable addresses like the Circus and Royal Crescent, or across Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon. There were plays on in theatres and balls held at the Assembly Rooms, where romance might be sparked mid-cotillion: step forward, turn back; see, be seen. For many, this heritage remains a big draw.
Bath has much going for it: its reputation as a health centre has spawned modern spas,and the uniform neo-classical architecture, built from honey-hued Bath stone, contributed to the city's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the only UK city to be listed in its entirety. The centre is walkable and community-focused, with independent hotels, shops spotlighting artisanal work and restaurants celebrating local produce. Yet Austen's fans flock to see the sites associated with the author and the Regency era, be it her former residence or the streets featured in works like Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
Denne historien er fra January/February 2025-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Denne historien er fra January/February 2025-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
