“But no offer came,” says Roche, of Strictly Jane Austen Tours, as we navigate the cobbled streets of Bath. The annual Jane Austen Festival is set to hold an elevated edition in September, alongside extended events like two Jane Austen balls in summer and one at Christmas (sign me up for the Sanditon-inspired seaside ball, please). It’s easy to see why two million people descend upon Bath every year, Jane Austen’s milestone birthday or not. Afternoon tea at the Jane Austen CentreDuring her time in Bath, Austen skilfully avoided marriage (she was engaged for one whole evening, before she broke it off the next day). You don’t always need a lot of imagination to envisage the Bath of Jane Austen’s day, but sometimes it helps.

Source: The Times March 23, 2025 20:33 UTC