Bath Literature Festival

22nd January 2009

Take part in one of the most exciting literature events in the country next month and join the annual Bath Literature Festival for stimulating debate, lively conversation and fascinating insights from leading authors, scientists and poets. Promising to be bigger and better than ever, the festival will celebrate writing in all its forms with a programme of over 100 events. And with a number of attractive accommodation offers available on www.visitbath.co.uk enjoy a short break and make the most of all that the festival has to offer while taking time to explore the beautiful World Heritage city of Bath.

This year's festival will explore a number of 'strands' rather than an over-arching theme which will include debates and presentations on: Retrospectives, Wild Places, Intimate Lives, The Cutting Edge and Best of British literature. And to mark the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his On the Origin Species, there will also be a Darwin strand. Best-selling novelist Alexander McCall Smith, broadcaster, feminist and writer Joan Bakewell, former MP Chris Patten, outspoken and opinionated socialist Tony Benn and hugely popular poet Wendy Cope are just some of the well-established literary figures who will be taking part in the festival. In addition, authors from every corner of the globe will be joining the Literature Festival making it a truly cosmopolitan affair.

Stay in Bath on the 4th and 5th March and take advantage of the exclusive Bath Literature Festival package available on the official tourism website: www.visitbath.co.uk/festival. Choose from a number of accommodation options, starting from £130, and buy tickets for 5 Literature Festival events for just £28 (a total saving of £17). Accommodation options include dinner, bed and breakfast at the 5 star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, a contemporary and stylish self-catering cottage at The Malthouse and bed and breakfast at School Cottages in nearby village Farmborough.

While in Bath a visit to learn more about one of the city's most famous residents - Jane Austen - cannot be missed. Find out about this influential writer who is still so popular today at the Jane Austen Centre and discover about her life and writing in Bath, purchase her books from the shop, or take tea in the Regency Tea Rooms above the museum in true Jane Austen style! The Museum can be found in the centre of the city on Gay Street and is one of Bath's most popular attractions. Alternatively, download a free mp3 walking tour from www.visitbath.co.uk. This audio tour celebrates Jane Austen's life and work and takes listeners around the highlights of the city while playing extracts from her novels and letters.

Hearing from top literary writers and visiting the Jane Austen Centre may leave you feeling inspired to read, so head to one of Bath's book shops where there is an abundance to choose from, with all the usual high street chains as well as several independent shops tucked away on quiet cobbled streets. Bath Topping & Company is one of Bath's most popular stores situated on The Paragon. It provides a cornucopia of over 30,000 titles and hosts a number of author events throughout the year.

More information on the Bath Literature Festival and accommodation offers can be found on the official tourism website www.visitbath.co.uk. Tickets for the Bath Literature Festival range from £3 to £17 and bookings can be made by visiting www.bathlitfest.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors:
For further information or images to illustrate this information, please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: lucy_weaver@bathtourism.co.uk.

Bath - City of Festivals
With a busy and diverse year-round programme of events, Bath has a festival to suit all tastes. Some of the major events for 2009 include: Bath Comedy Festival 1 - 12 April; Bath International Music Festival 22 May - 6 June; Bath Fringe Festival 22 May - 6 June; Jane Austen Festival 18 - 27 September; Bath Christmas Market 26 November - 6 December (TBC).

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath's destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation's top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath's official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk. For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk.

Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world. High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports. See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk. Bristol International Airport is just 15 miles from Bath and operates direct flights from New York and Orlando in the USA, as well as most major European and UK airports. See: www.bristolairport.co.uk. Bath is also easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales. There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre.