How to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Bath

Get ready for a year-long celebration!

In 2025, Bath is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the 250th birthday of its most beloved resident, Jane Austen! The city will be buzzing with special events, activities, experiences, and fabulous hotel packages. So, if you’re an Austen enthusiast, prepare yourself for an unforgettable year in Bath!

Who was Jane Austen?

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. 

To celebrate, why not go to Bath for a weekend. Total Guide to has the perfect itinerary to choose from.

Where to stay:

Why not make Jane Austen’s 250th birthday extra special by staying in one of Bath’s most glamorous hotels? Here are some must-try options:

1. The Gainsborough Bath Spa:

Indulge in a six-day Austen-themed extravaganza, available in spring and autumn. The package includes accommodation in a luxurious room, a welcome reception, celebratory meals, expert talks, guided walking tours, workshops, a Regency dance session, and even an embroidery class. Fancy stepping back in time? Dress up in full Regency costume, courtesy of Strictly Jane Austen, and enjoy private visits to No.1 Royal Crescent, Lacock, and Chawton House (the Austen family home).

2. The Abbey Hotel Bath

3. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.

For a more luxurious experience.

4. Jane’s family home (via Airbnb):

Yes, you can even stay in Jane Austen’s former home from 1801 to 1805! Imagine waking up where Jane once lived.

5. Other romantic options:

Consider the four-poster grandeur of the Jane Austen Room at Bailbrook House, or stay at Dukes Bath, The Windsor, Abbey Hotel, or Hotel Indigo for a taste of Regency splendor.

Must-see Austen attractions and events

1. The Jane Austen Centre:

This is a must-visit, especially in 2025. Step inside for a journey through Jane’s life, where you can meet her iconic characters, dress in Regency clothing, practice your quill skills, and see a filmed tour of Bath locations that inspired her writing. You’ll also discover a controversial look at what Jane really looked like!

2. The Jane Austen festival:

Bath’s annual celebration of all things Austen is expanding in 2025! Three themed balls are planned: a “Persuasion” nautical-themed ball on May 31, a “Sanditon” seaside-themed ball on June 28 (a first for the festival!), and a “Yuletide Birthday Ball” on December 13, leading up to Jane’s actual birthday on December 16. And yes, you can take dance workshops to perfect your moves ahead of the festivities!

But it’s not all about dancing—look out for the Grand Regency Costumed Parade and a host of special events scattered throughout September.

3. More events around the city:

• April: The Theatre Royal presents ‘Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)’, a unique and audacious retelling of the classic novel.

• May: Historian Lucy Worsley brings Jane Austen’s world to life on stage at The Forum. Discover Jane as a passionate woman who fought for her liberty.

• September to January: The Holburne Museum hosts an ‘Illustrating Austen’ exhibition, revealing the evolving artwork behind Austen’s beloved stories.

• Throughout the year: Bath’s Natural Theatre Company performs ‘Austen Lost and Found’, an immersive theatrical adventure using the city itself as a stage.

Tours:

1. Guided Tours:

• Strictly Jane Austen Tour: Journey back to the city’s Regency era with expert guides.

• Jane Austen Photo Tour: Visit the places Jane lived, the settings in her novels, and filming locations for Austen screen adaptations.

2. Self-Guided adventures:

Follow in Jane’s footsteps with a breakfast at The Holburne Museum’s Garden Café and a stroll through Sydney Gardens, just as Jane would have done!

Shop like Jane!

Stroll down Milsom Street, where Jane and her contemporaries would have shopped for hats, ribbons, and all things fashionable. Find your own treasures, from trinkets to high fashion, just as Jane would have!

So, dust off your Regency gowns, grab your bonnets, and get ready for a year filled with all things Jane Austen in the beautiful city of Bath!