Bath and Jane Austen Private Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Parade Gardens

Our guides, Katie and Colm, will give you an overview of what to expect on this tour including the development of Bath and its early history up to the end of the 17th century. We will then meander down to look down towards the river Avon and the spectacular view of Parade Gardens and surrounding hills as Katie sets the scene of Bath in 800BC and the legend of King Bladud.

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sally Lunn's Museum

After taking in the view, we will go past one of Bath’s major institutions - Sally Lunn’s tea shop – a key point of interest on our Jane Austen tour. The tea shops have become a key part of Bath’s history as it became a fashionable spa town.

• Admission Ticket Free

The Roman Baths

Next, we stop at Bath’s most famous landmark – the Roman Baths – formed shortly after the Romans arrival.

• Admission Ticket Free

Bath Abbey

Around the corned from the Roman Baths is Bath Abbey – we discover how the Baths were forgotten, how Bath changed during the Saxon period, the Christianisation of the country, Abbey foundation and crowning of King Edgar the Peaceful in 973AD – the birth of England!

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Hospital Of St. John The Baptist

As we continue through bath, we reach St John’s Hospital – a hospital steeped in history, particularly during medieval life in Bath.

• Admission Ticket Free

The Cross Bath

We then reach the Cross Bath – Colm and Katie will tell the story of Mary of Modena and Bath’s reluctant role in the Glorious Revolution 1688!

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Thermae Bath Spa

We continue onto the Bath Thermae Spa where you can explore the Spa for yourself and “take the waters”

• Admission Ticket Free

We then continue onto the Pump Room/Roman Baths. Katie and Colm will discuss the rise in popularity in Bath as a spa resort during the 18th century. They will also introduce you to some of the more interesting stories about Jane Austen and here time in the city.

• Admission Ticket Free

Theatre Royal Bath

Built in 1805, this theatre was the heart of Bath's evening pursuits and the spiritual home of Beau Nash

• Admission Ticket Free

Queen Square

Next, we move to Queen Square and one of Jane Austen’s main residence. We’ll also discover John Wood the Elder and the unique architectural design of houses in the area.

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Georgian Garden

Wander through the Georgian Gardens and onto the Royal Crescent, walking in the footsteps of 18th century aristocracy. We’ll explain the reason behind the wide streets and the role of “taking the air” in Bath life.

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

No. 1 Royal Crescent

Once you reach the Royal Crescent, take a moment to marvel at this world-renowned architecture.

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Circus

As we continue our tour, we discover the Circus where we learn more about John Wood the Elder and neo-classical Georgian style.

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Assembly Rooms

We then come across the Assembly Rooms and gain a fascinating insight into evening life in Bath in the 18th and 19th centuries – from dances to card games. Jane Austen loved these social events and there was a strong emphasis placed on young women to gain husbands here.

• Admission Ticket Free

Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein

We visit Gay Street – another one of Jane Austen’s residences and then explore the fascinating world of Mary Shelly and her best-known fictional character, Frankenstein

• Admission Ticket Free

The Jane Austen Centre

We finish outside the Jane Austen Centre where you can continue to learn more about the history of one of Britains most famous women

• Admission Ticket Free