Jane Austen Centre
40 Gay St., Bath, Somerset
A museum dedicated to one of Britain’s best-loved authors, the Jane Austen Centre in Bath is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in the life and work of the 18th-century writer. Housed in an authentic period property, with actors in costume bringing the museum to life, the center immerses visitors in the days of the Regency era.
Born in Hampshire in 1775, Jane Austen had written three novels by the age of 25. She produced six great works in her lifetime, perhaps the most famous of which isPride and Prejudice. Austen’s life in Hampshire and Bath, and the rules and requirements of life in 18th-century Britain, are depicted through displays of the author’s personal possessions and live interactions with costumed actors, all set within the interiors of a typical Georgian town house.
Access to the Jane Austen Centre is via paid ticket.
Discounts are available for students and seniors, and children under 6 are free.
Guided tours travel to Bath to visit the museum on a regular basis.
The Jane Austen Centre is partially wheelchair accessible.
A shop and a Regency-style tearoom are on-site.
Visitors can pose for photos with a life-size waxwork of Austen.
The Jane Austen Centre is on Gay Street in the center of Bath, in southwestern England, approximately 90 minutes by train from Central London. Hop-on-hop-off tour buses stop close to the museum, or visitors can opt to drive (there is public parking nearby) or travel to the museum as part of a guided tour with round-trip transport provided. Tours leave from major cities including London, Brighton, and Oxford.
The Jane Austen Centre is busiest on weekends, especially Saturday, so plan to visit on a weekday for a quieter experience. The center hosts a number of special events in and around the city of Bath every September to celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday. From a Regency-themed costume parade to public readings and walking tours of key city sites, the events attract Austen enthusiasts from around the world.
The thermal waters around Bath have been soothing tired travelers since they were first discovered by the Celts and Romans over 2,000 years ago. With a rooftop pool and wellness suite offering massages and treatments, plus the chance to try a glass of the naturally warm, mineral rich waters, the spa is a popular destination for visitors to the town.
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