Jane Austen lived in Bath, England, from 1801 to 1806, a time when the city was enjoying huge popularity as a fashionable spa resort. With its graceful Georgian architecture and attractions this stylish place inspired two of Jane’s novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
Although the author’s stay was relatively short, she captured a spirit of the times that live on at the Jane Austen Centre, through literary tours, festivals, and in tea rooms such as the Pump Room, celebrating the genteel art of afternoon tea. Promenade Regency-style along elegant streets and enjoy the natural warm spring waters at Thermae Bath Spa, reviving the spa experience for real.
Good Day Cafe, Upper Borough Walls, Bath, UK
NOOK, Old Bond Street, Bath, UK
Jane Austen Centre, Gay Street, Bath, UK
Côte Bath, Milsom Street, Bath, UK
Thermae Bath Spa, Hot Bath Street, Bath, UK
The Mint Room, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, UK
Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Road, Bath, UK
Hotel Indigo Bath, an IHG Hotel, South Parade, Bath, UK
Best Places for Breakfast in Bath
Good Day Cafe
This cafe and bakery serves brunch, baked goods, and coffee. Think pancake stacks, sweet or savoury brioche French toast, Also bagels, eggs on toast, and loaded hash browns including a vegetarian option made with sliced avocado, Sriracha mayo, toasted pumpkin seeds and butter baked mushrooms.
Nook
Superfood smoothies and breakfast poke bowls are headliners at Nook, an Aussie influenced cafe, also with flavoursome nods to California and Japan. Choose the pea and courgette fritter breakfast bowl and love the tastes of spinach, avocado, coconut yoghurt, chilli jam, coriander, and soft boiled egg.
Best Things To Do in the Morning in Bath
Jane Austen to Beau Nash podcast tour
There are several self-guided Jane Austen themed walks and one of them is is a self-guided podcast tour. Listen as you walk to discover the stories of Bath in the Georgian and Regency periods, from Jane Austen’s writing to Beau Nash’s parties. Wander through the Georgian Gardens and on to the Royal Crescent, walking in the footsteps of 18th century aristocracy, seeing the major sights. Look inside the Theatre Royal and Assembly Rooms and finish off the tour at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein and the Jane Austen Centre, both on Gay Street.
Jane Austen Centre
The Jane Austen Centre is in the heart of Bath between Queen Square and the Circus and close to Bath Abbey, the Assembly Rooms and the Roman Baths. The Centre showcases life in Regency times and explores how the city inspired Jane Austen and her writing. The Jane Austen Festival is held in September beginning with a Regency Costumed Promenade and including costume balls, theatre performances and talks. The Festival Summer Ball is held in June.
Best Places for Lunch in Bath
Cote Brasserie
All-day dining, a la the brasseries of Paris. French classics such as steak frites, moules marinières, corn-fed chicken from rural Brittany, and tuna Niçoise. Côte’s yummy crème caramel and crème brûlee are house specialities. There’s also a specials menu changing every month.
Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in Bath
Bathe at Thermae Bath Spa
While you can visit the Roman Baths, it’s no longer possible to ‘take the waters’ there in the time-honoured tradition so loved by royalty and the Regency crowd. Evidence shows that people gathered around the hot springs as long ago as 8000 years, BC, so an ongoing way to enjoy Bath’s natural thermal waters was important. Enter the Thermae Bath Spa created to utilise the hot, mineral rich waters from the Kings Spring, the Hetling Spring and the Cross Spring, so residents and visitors have the chance to bathe once again in Britain’s original natural thermal spa. Visit the website to book two-hour spa sessions and treatments. (Some Walk In sessions may be available on the day.)
For Bath walking tours, local trips and activities, click here.
Best Places for Dinner in Bath
The Mint Room
A much-loved Bath icon, The Mint Room is Indian created with delicious twists and generous use of local produce. Welsh lamb shank is slow-roasted in spices to make Roasted Raan; Beef Chettinad is blade of Somerset Beef served south Indian style, flavoured with coconut, star anise, curry leaves and spicy mash. Prawns and fish feature and a wealth of vegetarian options.
The Green Park Brasserie
The Green Park Brasserie is a Steakhouse and jazz bar with a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy small plates and starters, steaks, burgers, fish of the day, buttermilk chargrilled chicken, and vegetarian options, too. Cocktails, draught beers and ciders including Independence Pale Ale, an American pale ale.
Best Places to Stay in Bath
Hotel Indigo Bath
In a great central location, the boutique Hotel Indigo Bath is set in a Grade one listed Georgian Terrace in South Parade. The 166 rooms are modern and stylish, designed to echo the influences of the city’s famous architects and novelists, and the vibrant culture.