Things to Do

There is so much to see and do in Georgian Bath; our suggested itinerary will help you plan your visit to the city. Bath is ideally located and can be used as a base to explore other places that Jane Austen lived and visited.

Here's a quick look at some of our favourite things to do...

What better way to discover Jane Austen's Bath than on a walking tour. Bath is a great city to explore on foot so why not download our free audio tour 'In the footsteps of Jane Austen'. Alternatively, join a Jane Austen guided tour which last 1 1/2 hours and will take you around the city that features so much in her writing. 

To learn more about Jane Austen's life in the city visit The Jane Austen Centre. Number One Royal Crescent also creates a wonderful picture of fashionable life in 18th century Bath.

In Jane's day visitors to the city came to 'take the waters' and sought a cure in them. Edward, Jane Austen's brother, took the cure when he came to Bath suffering from suspected gout. She wrote in a letter to her sister Cassandra...

'He was better yesterday than he had been for two or three days before...He drinks at the Hetling pump...is to bathe tomorrow.' And... 'Edward has been pretty well this last week, and as the waters have never disagreed with him in any respect, we are inclined to hope he will derive advantage from them in the end'.

You can 'take the waters' in the grand Pump Room where you can also enjoy refreshments while listening to the Pump Room Trio. Or 'take the waters' at the Spa Visitor Centre, and, after tasting the waters, why not bathe in them at Thermae Bath Spa, the only place in the UK where you bathe in natural thermal waters.

Enjoy a one hour boat trip around the city with Bath City Boat Trips passing the house that Jane Austen lived in at Green Park.

Shopping and evening entertainments were an important part of Georgian life, this is still true to life in Bath today. Bath has more - and better - shops than a city ten times its size, it is also known as a city of festivals with 37 taking place throughout the year. During the evening attend the local theatre something that Jane Austen loved to do.

If you are visiting as part of a group visit the Bath Postal Museum and learn about writing during the Georgian period by exploring our fascinating collection of writing equipment and letters. Then have a go at writing like Jane using a quill pen and writing accessories, pre-booking is essential.

Alternatively, if you want to spend a whole day dedicated to discovering Jane Austen's Bath then we have put together a suggested itinerary for a day in Bath to help you plan your visit.

» For further information things to do in Bath and beyond see our main listings on visitbath.co.uk - the official tourism website.

» For advice and suggestions call Bath Tourist Information Centre;
UK Callers - 0906 711 2000 (50p / min)
Overseas callers - +44 844 847 5257