Literary Bath
The city of Bath has a strong literary heritage, with authors past and present gathering inspiration from the city.
It is well-known that eighteenth-century novelist Jane Austen once lived in, and wrote about, Bath, but the city was also immortilized in Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers, and provided inspiration to Anna Sewell and Mary Shelley, whose novels Black Beauty and Frankenstein were influenced by the city.
Nowadays, Bath continues to feature in popular literature. Douglas Westcott's novels, Go Swift and Far and An Unfolding Soul, bring the city to life, shining a spotlight on little-known aspects of Bath's colourful past.
Authors with a Bath Connection
Bath has provided inspiration to authors for hundreds of years and the city has been immortalized in print on numerous occasions.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Anna Sewell's Black Beauty were both inspired by the city, and Bath features in Jane Austen's Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, and Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers.
Here’s our roundup of authors with a Bath connection…
Literary Festivals and Events
When it comes to literary events, Bath's offering is world-class.
For a year-round schedule of author events, head to Topping & Company Booksellers, a vibrantly independent haven for real bibliophiles.
Immerse yourself in the world of Bath’s most famous literary resident at the Jane Austen Festival, featuring elegant masked balls, walking tours and talks.
Bath’s flagship festival, The Bath Festival, is a multi-arts celebration of all things music and literature, and the annual Bath Children's Literature Festival is Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival.
Jane Austen's Bath
When Jane Austen made Bath her home, from 1801 to 1806, the city was a thriving spa resort, popular with fashionable society.
Retrace Jane’s steps on your visit to Bath and you will discover the same elegant yet vibrant city which provided inspiration for two of her six published novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
From taking the waters and promenading through town to tucking into afternoon tea and exploring the Assembly Rooms, there are plenty of ways to discover Jane Austen's Bath.
Books with a Novel Bath Connection
A lovely way to become familiar with Bath and its history is to immerse yourself in stories set in the beautiful city, or written by authors who lived and wrote in Bath.
From Jane Austen's Persuasian to The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, here are five books with a novel Bath connection...
Books to Help You Discover Bath's Independent Spirit
Bath has a long and rich history of independent trade and is still teeming with spirited, creative and enterprising businesses.
Independent bookshops, particularly, are some of the loveliest places to visit. You get a richly eclectic variety of books to choose from, which reflect the individuality of the owner’s vision as well as, of course, their regular customers’ own preferences. In addition, special focus is placed on books from, or about, the local area.