by Emily Smith
Celebrating 200 Years of Persuasion
I first learned about the Jane Austen Festival back in 2013 when I read Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly, a modern Sense & Sensibility spin-off. While reading this novel, I was so enthralled with the idea of a Jane Austen Festival that I decided to do a little research, and, lo and behold, found out that it actually existed. Since then I have been daydreaming about attending, but this past September I turned my dream into a reality, and it certainly lived up to my expectations!
“If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village,
she must seek them abroad.” – Northanger Abbey
DAY ONE – Thursday, September 13, 2018
I arrived for my holiday in Bath via train in the early afternoon. After settling into the Lynwood Guest House where I’d be setting up my home base for the next week and a half, I set out to explore this stunning city. And what better way for a Janeite to dip her toes into Bath (pun intended) than to take an audio walking tour entitled “In the footsteps of Jane Austen” (free download available from http://visitbath.co.uk).
My tour began in the churchyard of Bath Abbey, adjacent to the Roman Baths and Pump Room. From there I made my down to the Parade Gardens and the River Avon. I crossed Pulteney Bridge and made my way down Great Pulteney Street to Sydney Gardens and No. 4 Sydney Place – the house where Jane Austen and her family lived from 1801-1805.
I then headed over to Queen’s Square and the Jane Austen Centre. I took my photo with Martin Salter, their resident Mr. Bennett, who is the most photographed man in England and secured him as a dance partner for the Country Dance Ball on Saturday. Of course Mr. Bennet is no Henry Tilney, but I was so excited to be able to say, “I’ll save you a spot on my dance card.” I then strolled along the gravel walk, the very same walk that Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth took, as I made my way over to the Royal Crescent. And finally, I made my way past The Circus to the Assembly Rooms. The walking tour was a perfect way for me to familiarize myself with the layout of Bath prior to the festival.
My initial tour of Bath complete, I grabbed a bite to eat and settled in for the night.
Bath Abbey, one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the West Country.
Pulteney Bridge, across the River Avon
Plaque for No. 4 Sydney Place – the house where Jane Austen and her family lived from 1801-1805
Emily with “Mr. Bennet,” aka Martin Salter, the meeter and greeter at The Jane Austen Centre in Bath and officially recognised as “England’s Most Photographed Man”
“They arrived in Bath. Catherine was all eager delight;
her eyes were here, there, and everywhere.” – Northanger Abbey