Take a trip back in time to Regency Bath on this six-day tour marking Jane Austen's 250th anniversary. You will visit locations and landmarks that helped inspire the novelist's works and will be based at the five-star Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel located in the heart of the city.
During your tour, you will hear from prestigious Jane Austen experts, go on a guided walking tour of Bath, visit the No.1 Royal Crescent Museum and visit the charming village of Lacock - one of the filming locations for the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. You will also visit the Jane Austen House Museum where Jane lived and wrote her novels and Chawton House, once owned by her brother Edward.
Take part in an embroidery workshop with a professional needlewoman and even learn Regency dance in the company of a caller, pipers and dancers. Your tour concludes with a special dinner celebrating Jane's 250th anniversary.
If you would like to immerse yourself even further into Jane Austen's world by taking part in these experiences dressed in period costume then you may bring your own costume/s, or we can help with hiring and arrange for a costume (or several different costumes) to be delivered to the hotel in time for your arrival. (Please note, there is an additional fee for this service).
Meet your expert speakers
- John Mullan, Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College London
- Professor Jennie Batchelor, Head of English and Related Literature at the University of York
- Dr Leigh Wetherall Dickson, Associate Professor at Northumbria University
- Bestselling writer Gill Hornby, author of the acclaimed 'Miss Austen', recently screened on BBC1
- Author Sarah Jane Downing
- Architectural historian, Dr Moira Rudolf
- Author Zoe Wheddon
Upon arrival at the five-star Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel, welcome tea and coffee will be served. You will then hear from Professor John Mullan who will deliver a fascinating talk on 'Jane Austen's Fiction'. You will then have time to browse a range of books by the programme experts at Mr B's Emporium pop-up book bar - Mr B's is an award-winning independent bookshop close to the hotel - before joining local Jane Austen experts for a glass of fizz and a buffet dinner.
After breakfast this morning, embark on a 'Strictly Jane Austen' guided walking tour of Bath, followed by a visit to No.1 Royal Crescent Museum. You will have free time for lunch, before hearing Professor Jennie Batchelor's insightful talk, 'Reintroducing Jane Austen via The Lady's Magazine'. You will then join expert needlewoman, Alison Larkin for an embroidery workshop. All materials will be provided as you learn the basics of Georgian embroidery styles, using stitches and techniques common during the early 19th century. This evening, enjoy a glass of fizz and time to chat to local Jane Austen experts before spending dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure.
After breakfast, you will travel by private coach to the Jane Austen House Museum and Chawton House, accompanied by an expert guide. Chawton House was once owned by Jane's brother Edward. Here you will see the reading alcove in the Oak Room where Jane liked to sit and the Knight family dining table at which Jane dined with her brothers and sisters. This evening, Leigh Wetherall Dickson will deliver a talk entitled 'Gaming, Gambling and the Games Austen's Characters Play', enjoy a glass of fizz and canapes during the talk.
This morning you will travel by private coach to the village of Lacock, accompanied by an expert guide. This Wiltshire village featured prominently in the BBC's acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. This afternoon, join in a Regency dance workshop with a caller, piped music and dance helpers, before tucking into a delicious afternoon tea in the hotel restaurant. In the early evening, enjoy a glass of fizz while best-selling author, Gill Hornby talks about her celebrated novel Godmersham Park. Spend dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure.
After breakfast, join Sarah Jane Downing for an entertaining talk on either Pastimes and Pleasures: pleasure gardens fashions and culture, on the April departure, or Beauty and Cosmetics in the Time of Jane Austen, on the October departure. You will then meet Dr Moira Rudolf for a talk on Georgian Bath as Jane knew it and a guided countryside walk of the sort Jane herself enjoyed (weather conditions permitting). The afternoon is free for you to explore Bath at your leisure. You might like to revisit No.1 Royal Crescent, visit The Jane Austen Centre, or the city's famous Roman Baths. This evening, enjoy a glass of fizz and a celebratory Jane Austen dinner and glass of wine in the company of local Jane Austen experts.
After breakfast you will hear from the last guest speaker, author Zoe Wheddon, who will share her insights into Jane as a daughter in Jane Austen, Daddy's Girl: The Life and Influence of The Revd George Austen. Tea and coffee will be served during the talk. It will then be time to check out of the hotel. If you wish to spend more time in Bath, your luggage can be safely stored at the hotel before your onward journey.
Perfectly placed, the location of the hotel is faultless allowing you to make the most of everything the city offers.
Gainsborough is tucked down a quiet side street in the centre of Bath.
By car: the hotel is just 40 mins from Bristol, 2 hours from Southampton or Coventry, 3 hours from London. There is some valet parking avaliable for a fee.
By train: Bath Spa station is a 5-minute walk away, serviced by trains from London Paddington (1 hour 30 mins), Portsmouth Harbour (2 hours 15 mins) and Cardiff Central (1 hour). thetrainline.com
Gainsborough is perfect for those seeking an upscale city break that ticks all the boxes from history and culture to wellness, shopping and gastronomy. Look out for the impressive five-storey-height chandelier whose giant lightbulbs illuminate the grand staircase and marble-filled lobby.
The spa's holistic offerings include Georgian-inspired spiced hot chocolate and personalised pouches of Himalayan salt infused with aromatherapy oils.
- Parking
- Spa & wellness centre
- Free Wi-Fi
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Fitness centre
- Bar
Book a spa room for unlimited spa access and soak in your own roll-top bath filled with the healing waters. Classic rooms on upper floors have high ceilings and large picture windows giving a sense of grandeur without feeling ostentatious.
Deluxe, Executive, Courtyard & Bath Spa rooms, Junior, Gainsborough, Two-Bedroom and Bath Spa suites, The Townhouse
Facilities include: en-suite with bath robe and slippers, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, tea and coffee-making facilites.
The cosy cocktail bar feels like your own personal bar and is the perfect place to start off an evening. The succulent duck dish is topped with innovative Asian flavours including spring roll, plum puree and crunchy sesame seeds.
Dan Moon at the Gainsborough Restaurant: Sophisticated, with Georgian architecture, original artwork and wine wall. 3 AA Rosettes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Canvas Room: Relaxed, modern, elegant, quintessentially British. Afternoon teas served 3pm - 5.30pm.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £825. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and ECT Travel Ltd. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £825. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and ECT Travel Ltd. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.