Road trip in 5 stages to discover Jane Austen's England

Jane Austen fans, embark on a fantastic journey. You will be dazzled by the scale of this trip where the arts perfectly complement each other: literature, fashion, garden art, architecture, and history.   

To walk in Jane Austen's shoes, as the British would say, expresses the sensation of putting oneself in her skin. Let's begin a guided tour of the places that influenced the successful author. Her novels, we have devoured them: Emma, Mansfield Park…. In modern language, they denounce gentrification, the replacement of the nobility by a wealthy bourgeoisie, and the fate of women during this sociological upheaval. We savored the 1995 BBC series Pride and Prejudice, in which Colin Firth performed splendidly. The success was confirmed with the feature film of the same name starring Keira Knightley. If you are among the aficionados, note that the Jane Austen Festival is held every year in Bath for about ten days! Since 2001 it has continued to grow and for its inauguration, you can parade with 500 other fans in Regency costumes through the streets of Bath!

In the County of Somerset, northwest of London, lies the city of Bath.  Jane Austen cherished this city which is now intimately linked to the novelist. In fact, it is here that the legendary love scene from the novel Persuasion takes place. The Roman city has preserved its baths, but it also possesses Georgian-style architecture that favors nature, as seen in Pulteney Bridge. Furthermore, it features neoclassical elements with its public buildings such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus with perfect proportions. Thanks to the Jane Austen’s Center, you dive into the life of Jane Austen's era. Everything is skillfully orchestrated from the lively introduction by actors in period costumes to the tea room where you can enjoy scones and carrot cakes. In the meantime, you will have strolled through the rooms at your own pace. The British are unrivaled in bringing history to life, so you can try writing with a real quill pen. For those who wish to fully immerse themselves in the adventure, dress up, put on a Regency hat and immortalize these moments. Onsite, you might well come face to face with Jane Austen herself; the wax figure is strikingly realistic!  

The residence is imposing, and one could rightly call it a house-museum. It was Edward, her brother who, after being adopted by a wealthy family, inherited it. Jane Austen, without living there permanently, often came to have tea. Sometimes she stayed overnight as she enjoyed the company of her niece Fanny. Indeed, on the upper floor, Jane had her own room. It is striking to discover the period furniture in the dining room. However, what catches the attention is the library containing first editions like that of the poet Elliot. Not far from there, you will discover the Jane House's museum, a brick building which was the writer’s home. Here everything has been recreated identically to deceive the eye. The most surprising is to see how tiny her round work table was, for example, where she wrote “Sense and Sensibility”. Her reading chair placed under the clock seems to have hosted the author just moments ago. Finally, you will be moved at the sight of the dress laid out on her bed, the one Anne Hathaway wore in “Becoming Jane”.

How can we forget that first declaration* of Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet in the pouring rain? You certainly remember the shocking phrase "against my better judgment"! During this scene, Darcy makes it clear to Lizzie that she is inferior, that her family is not worthy, but that he cannot help loving her. The young woman with a strong personality gives him a categorical no. What you need to know is that in good weather, the panorama is impressive from this hill over the surrounding gardens that served as a backdrop to Barry Lyndon. One might rightly wonder what a temple dedicated to the glory of Apollo is doing in the middle of the English countryside. Henry Hoare, called the Magnificent following his Grand Tour, tries to reproduce elements of Greek and Roman mythology that he admired in Europe.

Jane Austen describes Pemberley in these terms: a large and beautiful stone building, situated on high ground and backed by a ridge of tall wooded hills […] Its banks were neither formal, nor falsely adorned." The Elizabethan mansion belonging to the UK's National Trust perfectly matches this description, which is why the BBC chose this very location for the setting of Pride and Prejudice. A legendary scene probably remains in your memory; the one where Colin Firth, having taken a swim, meets Elizabeth Bennet. If you are captivated by this love story, you can very well take the Pemberley Walk which revisits the iconic scenes. The 2-hour tour takes you through the splendid exteriors of the estate.  

What an impressive castle this one is, with its towers reflecting in the water. Not only did director Stephen Knight shoot Peaky Blinders at Chatsworth, but the film Jane Eyre featuring Charlotte Gainsbourg was also shot there. This is the place that inspired Jane Austen, it's here that she imagined the Darcys living. The legendary scene of Lizzie looking at the sculptures was filmed here, and the winter salon does indeed exist. However, the scene where Darcy's sister plays a piece on the piano was not shot here. The ancient manor has been renovated along with the gardens in a neoclassical style by the landscaper Capability Brown, and you can find follies there too. Be sure to visit the large greenhouse that heralds Crystal Palace and taste the delicious Cherry Bakewell Cakes.

Feeling like discovering England at your own pace on a completely tailor-made trip? Select your Travel Planner specialized in England and start creating your itinerary according to your budget and your budget. 

Author: Gretel Tamalet
Photo Credits: Bath, UK, James Shaw - Unsplash