About

Bath was hugely important in Jane Austen’s life. The famous author lived in the city for five years, from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, have a host of scenes set in Bath, which was England’s most fashionable spa resort in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Using Austen’s own words from her letters and books, this entertaining and enlightening two-hour walking tour covers the places in Bath where Jane and her family lived and frequented, and also those that feature in the novels. You hear insights into what the writer thought about Bath – her feelings about the city were decidedly mixed. In addition, the tour sheds light on what Bath was like in Regency times when Jane lived there – the seasons, balls, transport, shopping, lodgings, pleasure gardens and so forth. The tour also reveals locations in the city used in film adaptations of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. 

The tour is led by Fred Mawer, an award-winning, professional Blue Badge tour guide and Bath resident. The two-hour tour covers the must-see spots. It’s also possible to book a three-hour tour, which goes into a bit more depth and includes some additional sights, such as the church where Jane’s parents were married and her father is buried.

This is a private walking tour. Contact Fred to fix a date and time for the tour.