Jane Austen
Bath
Bath
Kim Hicks
Bath
Lacock
Lacock
Lacock Abbey
Bath Assembly Rooms
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The Royal Crescent, Bath
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The Study, 1 Royal Crescent
Glorious Bath and its Jane Austen connections
No 1 Royal Crescent – an architectural gem
Behind the scenes at the Theatre Royal
One-woman show by Kim Hicks "Courtship"
Discover picturesque Lacock and its Abbey
Further to the enduring popularity of Jane Austen with TV adaptations and films and our previous tour exploring her life in Hampshire, this tour looks at her time in the lovely city of Bath. Long-time resident and Theatre Royal fixture, Jane Tapley, will regale you with historical anecdotes to bring alive this period of English society that was the backdrop of much of Jane Austen's work. 2025 is the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen's birth, so the perfect time to join this interesting tour.
Available Departures |
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| 06 - July - 2025 | £ 629.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Leigh Park Country House Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk by Jane Tapley – ‘Jane Austen and Bath.’
Day 2: Bath and evening show by Kim Hicks
This morning we head to Jane Tapley's glorious home city of Bath to explore it and its connections to Jane Austen with a guided walk including the exterior of the Assembly Rooms. This afternoon we visit the Jane Austen Centre, which will give you a snapshot of life during Regency times and how the city affected Jane Austen and her writing. Jane Austen lived in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and grew so fond of the city that it featured within two of her published works – ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Northanger Abbey’. Our final visit today will be to No1 Royal Crescent ,built in 1773 by acclaimed architect John Wood, the 30 houses form a gentle arc overlooking Royal Victoria Park and are all grade 1 listed and rank amongst the finest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere. This evening there will be a one-woman show by Kim Hicks: "Courtship" portraying scenes from the novels of Jane Austen followed by dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Theatre Royal, Bath and Lacock
This morning, we return to Bath and one of its most iconic buildings that Jane Austen would have known well, the Theatre Royal, where Jane Tapley has worked for more than 30 years with privileged behind the scenes access (theatre show programme permitting). It is one of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture and has been entertaining residents and visitors since 1805. Our final visit is the picturesque village of Lacock, for a guided walking tour and visit to the abbey. The village is owned in its entirety by the National Trust, and many period dramas have been filmed here including adaptations of Austen's Emma and Pride and Prejudice. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.
NB: Exact order of excursions and itineray order may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 35 passengers.
Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of walking involved, and standing for viewing at each attraction. For further information, please visit the mobility page on our website, or call our team.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Best Western Leigh Park Country House Hotel & Vineyard
A small (38-bedroom), traditional three-star hotel, set in extensive grounds on the edge of Bradford-on-Avon, just 5 miles from Bath. Facilities here include a bar, restaurant and comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including free wifi. The hotel even has its own vineyard producing an attractive dry white wine, exclusive to the hotel.
Parking: complimentary
Your Expert - Jane Tapley
Your host and guide is Jane Tapley, a Special Events Organiser at the Theatre Royal Bath for over thirty years – she frequently interviews and arranges events with authors to launch their books and has launched many with themes on Jane Austen. Jane arranges events during the annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath, including talks and period meals in her Georgian townhouse. She is a Blue Badge Guide and has taken many Austen fans all around the West Country in the footsteps of the famous female author.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
I really enjoyed this short break and Jane was an excellent tour guide as well as being very helpful. She gave amusing and knowledgeable insights into Jane Austen, which were new, even to an ardent Austen Fan and her long association with the Theatre Royal led to a fascinating morning. Kim Hicks performance was excellent and very enjoyable. The Hotel was very comfortable with good food and very helpful staff despite the inevitable shortages. The only downside was the stairs but they were manageable with care and there was help with the cases. .
Review by Marriott who travelled 24-September-2023
It was an interesting and varied tour programme , excellently led by Jane who looked after the group very well especially taking account of a number of people who had mobility issues. The hotel location had wonderful views of the grounds and local area. the meals adequate and the staff were pleasant. I was disappointed with the the bedroom I was given, overlooking the car park, very cramped, no non slip bathmat and certainly not a room I would have wanted to spend any time in. I did ask for an alternative but the two shown me were no better. I do feel that having paid a supplement for single occupancy of a double room, it should be of a good standard. Another member of the group was given a superb double aspect room overlooking the grounds.
Review by Wicks who travelled 24-September-2023
Very enjoyable and full of highlights: the Jane Austen Centre, No 1 Royal Crescent, Kim Hicks's one-woman show, Bath Theatre Royal and the Fox Talbot museum at Lacock Abbey. Huge thanks to Jane Tapley for managing it so well. Of course, it would have been even better (!) if we'd have got to meet Rupert Everett at the Theatre Royal - but you can't have everything!!
Review by Hughes who travelled 24-September-2023
An excellent short break in every way, I thoroughly enjoyed it & look forward to joining you again. Dinners at Leigh Park were superior to those enjoyed at The Leonardo in Cheltenham earlier in the season.
Review by Harfield who travelled 24-September-2023
A very good and enjoyable holiday. The hotel was very welcoming with good food and I had a minor problem in my room and when I reported it the problem was dealt with straight away.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 24-September-2023
Very enjoyable tour. I especially enjoyed the performance by Kim Hicks, the talk about the theatre, (and Mr Wickham!). Perhaps there was slightly too much time in Lacock, but it wasn’t Travel Editions fault that the Abbey didn’t have enough volunteers to fully open.
Review by Moore who travelled 24-September-2023
Overall a good visit and very knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed Kim who performed for us parts of Jane Austen’s books on 2nd evening.
Review by Heasman who travelled 02-October-2022
For the overall age and ability of the tour group. The hills in Bath were very demanding. From a pedometer which some one had, we had walked three and a half miles up and down hills. The footsteps are three and probably should be four.
Review by Strutt who travelled 02-October-2022
A wonderful tour, though hard work! The hotel was comfortable and friendly, but I've marked it down a notch as I was disappointed in the food - both quality and choice.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-October-2022
Your brochure gave the tour,3 footprints,to indicate the walking experience.I think you should indicate,4 footprints instead.
Review by Vigar who travelled 02-October-2022
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