Jane Austen Promenade in Bath

Promenading in Regency Costumes from Lonely Planet covers the 11th annual event sponsored by the Jane Austen Centre in Bath.

The article also includes information about Jane Austen's live and homes (and lists this blog as one of its references!)

The Georgian Garden

In the center of Bath, one can visit free of charge a typical Georgian garden behind #4 King's Circus. Reconstruction of the garden began in 1985 and was completed in 1990. Although no formal plan of the garden existed, the imprint of the formal flower beds, which were surrounded by rolled gravel, were found beneath later changes that had been made.

Image courtesy Mermaid99 photostream, Flickr

• Click here for images of the garden in fall, from A Bun Can Dance.

• A Georgian Garden reborn

• The Georgian Garden, the Gravel Walk, Bath

• Click here to see a typical Georgian garden in Limerick

Follow Friday

Bath Crescent

My Bath obsession continues. Ever since Tony Grant returned from his trip, I have been longing to revisit that gracious city. This site is the next best thing. Welcome to the City of Bath, England offers 36 panospheric scenes, in which a camera rotates and reveals details of the scene as if you are standing in one spot and turning your head or pivoting on your heels. The image of the Royal Circus provides a particularly good experience as the camera slowly pans around.

Included are a map, as if you are going on a walking tour, and descriptions of the places you are seeing. Awesome. And enjoy!

Tony Grant: Posts from London Calling

Gentle Reader, Tony Grant placed a few more posts about his trip to Bath on his own blog, London Calling. They are well worth a visit.

Bath Front Doors

This front door is number 17, The Circus, Bath. Approaching, The Circus, are three roads, Gay Street from the south, where Jane Austen lived for a short while, Bennet Street from the North East, which leads to The Upper Assembly Rooms and Brock Street to the North West which leads to the Royal Crescent. These three roads enter The Circus, dividing this circular road exactly into thirds. Number 17 is in the northern third and is near the entrance to Bennett Street.

It’s situation could not be closer to and was indeed part of the elite residences of Bath in the 18th century. It is also within a minutes walk of The Upper Assembly Rooms where the bright young things of the 18th century and some not so young, danced, gambled, flirted, paraded and generally made a show of themselves. These beautiful young things had time on their hands and many had money to spend.

The resident of number 17 The Circus between 1759 and 1768 was there to take advantage of this situation. He was Thomas Gainsborough an up and coming portrait artist.

For the rest of the article, click here.

Random Bits and Pieces of Bath

I don't know about you, but when I visit a place, I notice interesting, well interesting to me, bits and pieces, and get an overwhelming urge to photograph them.

Here are some photographs from Bath.

All the best,
Tony

Click here to see the rest of the photographs ...

Trip to Bath: Milsom Street

Inquiring Readers: Tony Grant has been on holiday visiting Bath and the West Country. He has sent me some glorious images. These, taken on Milsom Street, remind me of the post I had placed on this site just a month ago: Shopping and Milsom Street, Bath.

I had always thought of Milsom Street as being a shopping district, but when Catherine Morland sets out to find Miss Tilney in Northanger Abbey, it turns out that the General has rented a house in Milsom Street:

Catherine cheerfully complied, and being properly equipped, was more impatient than ever to be at the pump-room, that she might inform herself of General Tilneys lodgings, for though she believed they were in Milsom Street, she was not certain of the house, and Mrs. Allen's wavering convictions only made it more doubtful. To Milsom Street she was directed, and having made herself perfect in the number, hastened away with eager steps and a beating heart to pay her visit, explain her conduct, and be forgiven; tripping lightly through the church-yard, and resolutely turning away her eyes, that she might not be obliged to see her beloved Isabella and her dear family, who, she had reason to believe, were in a shop hard by. She reached the house without any impediment, looked at the number, knocked at the door, and inquired for Miss Tilney.

Studying the images that Tony sent, the street must have been loud and bustling with activity. Granted, today's Bath is filled with tourists and cars, but back then, on rainy days, women wore pattens that clattered on cobblestones, carriage wheels rattled, horses' hooves clopped, and the cries of street sellers rang through the air.

Image from Victoria Art Gallery, Bath; Photos from Tony Grant, London Calling

Jane Austen Throwdown

The settings that Jane Austen chose for her characters were important to her plot. Much of Northanger Abbey was set in Bath, Elizabeth and the Gardiners traveled to Derbyshire where Pemberley lay, Lydia got into trouble in Brighton, and Box Hill, where Emma was so rude to Miss Bates, is set in Surrey.

We now ask you to choose two of your favorite Jane Austen locations. Bath or London? Steventon Rectory or Chawton Cottage?

Two of Your Favorite Jane Austen Locations

Bath, an ancient city, whose Roman Baths and drinking waters attracted rich and poor alike. It was said that more doctors and apothecaries were licensed in Bath than any other city in Great Britain.

London, the largest city in Europe in Jane's day. She would visit her brother, Henry, who lived in town and acted as her agent. Jane most particularly liked London's parks and gardens, and would frequent the shops, bringing back items for her family.

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Bath or London?

Bath London

Steventon Rectory. Jane spent most of her childhood in Steventon Rectory. Here is where she learned to write, and where her close-knit family nurtured her talent. When she learned that her parents had made plans to move to Bath and from a home she loved, Jane fainted.

Chawton Cottage was refurbished by Jane's rich brother Edward, who invited her, Cassandra, and Mrs. Austen to live there. Jane spent her most productive writing years during her time in Chawton, revising Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Northanger Abbey, and writing Emma, Persuasion, and Mansfield Park. She began Sanditon there, completing 11 chapters before succumbing to her fatal illness.

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Steventon Rectory or Chawton Cottage?

Steventon Rectory Chawton Cottage

Jane Austen's Bath

The British Library features a series of images related to the time that Jane Austen spent in Bath. "Austen (1775–1817) knew the city well. Her parents were married in Bath and the family lived there for five years from 1801."

View of visitors to the Hot Baths at Bath, which were opened in 1778 and designed by John Wood the Younger. The building is in the Palladian style and is simple and not particularly decorated. The internal layout is symmetrical and centred around the octagonal Bath. Besides the bath there are lobbies, dressing rooms, and private slip baths. Like other of Bath's baths, this bath was in use in the middle ages, but was rebuilt several times. The water in Bath's springs was thought to have curative properties and invalids flocked here to bathe and drink. - British Library

First seen on the Republic of Pemberley's Facebook page.

Shopping and Milsom Street, Bath

Brock illustration of the print seller shop in Bath with Admiral Croft and Anne Elliot.

In 1995's Persuasion, Anne Elliot (Amanda Root) meets Admiral Croft (John Woodvine) and begin their walk in front of a print seller shop. Anne and the admiral then walk past a linen draper.

They stop in front of a boot maker to continue their conversation,

before walking through a small passage way, where a lamp lighter climbs a ladder to light the wick.

Anne and Admiral Croft parted ways. The very next time Anne Elliot walks through Bath, she goes to Molland's, a pastry cook's and confectioner's shop on Milsom street. Jane Austen wrote that the marzipan was delicious.

View of Milsom Street in 1806 (Nattes). The Elliots stayed in Camden Place, now Camden Crescent, which was a long slow climb from Molland's.

In this scene from the film, customers entering Molland's, which was situated at the lower end of Milsom Street. The extras really make this film seem authentic, including the touches of Regency life that are added throughout each scene.

Anne is with her sister Elizabeth and Mrs. Clay. It is raining and Mr. William Elliot is making arrangements to get the ladies home, but there are only two seats left in Lady Dalrymple's carriage. He has gone to find an umbrella in order to escort Anne back on foot to Camden Place.

While inside Molland's, Anne Elliot sees Captain Wentworth walking along Milsom Street. She is shocked to see him.

The captain is seen walking in front of a book shoppe and a shop selling imported China ware.

Anne at the instant she spots the captain.

Anne attempts to leave Molland's and encounters the Captain, who is entering the shop.

He is startled upon seeing her and they share an awkward moment. (We later learn he has come to Bath to find her.)

Truth be told, Anne is pleased with the encounter.

The following night, a rejuvenated Anne looks for the captain in the Upper Assembly Rooms. Print below: Milsom Street and the Bath Swells (Dandies) in Jane Austen's day.

Today Milsom Street is still a main shopping street, boasting banks, restaurants, pubs, clothing stores, furniture stores jewellers, book stores and department stores. And tourists.

More on the topic:

• Read more here: Online Gallery: Milsom Street, Bath
• Jane Austen in Bath, Katherine Reeve

Jane Austen in Bath

Seen on the blogosphere, a nice post about Jane Austen in the City of Bath. Click here to read the post on The Quillcards Blog.

Image is from the site.

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Favorite Resort

The Crofts and the Gardiners ran a tight race last week, but the Gardiners graciously bowed before the Crofts' superior numbers. Always slightly ahead, the Crofts would have gallantly ceded the top spot had voters desired such an outcome.

We now turn to our favorite Jane Austen resort destination. Which is your preference? Town or country? Seaside or riverside? Coastal or inland? Here are your choices:

Favorite Jane Austen Resort

Bath

Are you into shopping, dancing, and taking the waters? Then this ancient city founded in Roman times will strike your fancy. Jane might not have personally liked living in Bath, but Catherine Morland was charmed and did not want to leave as long as Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor remained in town.




Lyme Regis

If you prefer the seaside and the smell of salt air, long walks along the Cobb and beach, and fossil hunting, for which this area's cliffs are famous, then Lyme Regis is the resort for you. This Dorset coastal town recently became a World Heritage Site, just like Bath.





Let your votes begin!

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Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Favorite Resort

Bath Lyme Regis

Jane Austen's Visits to Sydney Gardens

There is to be a grand gala on Tuesday evening in Sydney Gardens, a concert, with illuminations and fireworks. To the latter Elizabeth and I look forward with pleasure, and even the concert will have more than its usual charm for me, as the gardens are large enough for me to get pretty well beyond the reach of its sound. In the morning Lady Willoughby is to present the colours to some corps, or Yeomanry, or other, in the Crescent, and that such festivities may have a proper commencement, we think of going to . . .- Jane Austen to Cassandra, June 2, 1799 on a visit to Bath

A Fair, Sydney Gardens, circa 1830 (Note how supper boxes flanking the hotel are used as stalls)

Last night we were in Sydney Gardens again, as there was a repetition of the gala which went off so ill on the 4th. We did not go till nine, and then were in very good time for the fireworks, which were really beautiful, and surpassing my expectation; the illuminations, too, were very, pretty. The weather was as favourable as it was otherwise a fortnight ago. - Jane to Cassandra, June 11, 1799 on a visit to Bath

Foot bridge, Sydney Gardens

There was a very long list of arrivals here in the newspaper yesterday, so that we need not immediately dread absolute solitude; and there is a public breakfast in Sydney Gardens every morning, so that we shall not be wholly starved. - Jane Austen to Cassandra, May 17, 1799 on a visit to Bath

Rear View of the Sydney Hotel in Sydney Gardens. The hotel was designed and built by Charles Harcourt Masters in 1795-6. Note the music stands in the first floor semi-circular balcony. The central space below it was reserved for firework displays Rows of supper boxes are arranged on either side of the building. Inside the three-story hotel are rooms for drinking tea and coffee and playing cards, as well as a ballroom. Refreshments were available throughout the day.

Two years after Jane wrote the above quote, in the summer of 1801, the Austen family moved to No. 4 Sydney Place in one of fourteen identical houses at the far end of Pulteney Street. Before leaving Steventon, Jane wrote, "It would be very pleasant to be near the Sydney Gardens. We could go into the labyrinth every day."

Drawing Room in 4 Sydney Place

It was not a particularly fine house, but it had graceful Georgian proportions, large enough to contain a double drawing-room on the first floor, a dining-room and study below and bedrooms above. The house was redecorated for them while they went on holiday, and refurnished to suit their taste and income, which was about £600, or £35,000 in today's money. They could afford three servants and an annual holiday by the sea. Nigel Nicholson, Jane Austen in Bath, The Spectator, 2003

Canal in Sydney Gardens, the second biggest pleasure gardens in England

• The Holbourne Museum of Art, Bath

• June in Regency Bath: Jane Austen and the labyrinth

• Jane Austen: Her Homes & Her Friends (John Lane The Bodley Head, 1923) by Constance Hill, Chapter VII, Bath

• Sydney Gardens, Bath: Prints George

Audio Walking Tour of Jane Austen's Bath

"Are you altogether pleased with Bath?"
"Yes, I like it very well."
Conversation between Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen's Bath, a website created by Bath Tourism Plus, offers an audio walking tour of Bath that you can download from the site. The tour of Bath takes 1 1/2 hours. You can listen to these audio casts in your MP3 player as you walk through Bath, or at home, as I have. Professionally produced, each segment takes 2-7 minutes. A colorful walking guide (see graphic above) is available as well on this fabulous site.

Although this audio guide was meant to serve as a walking tour, I am finding it a pleasure to listen to these podcasts in the comfort of my home, reliving my visit to Bath, and learning interesting details that flesh out my knowledge of Jane Austen's world.

Before you can download these free files, you are asked to fill out an extremely short form that will take about a minute. You will be asked to do this only once. Also, keep in mind that each audio file must be downloaded separately.

Audio files are divided into the following chapters:

1. Introduction and Abbey Church Yard
2. Thermae Bath Spa
3. Sally Lunn House
4. The Lower Rooms
5. The River Avon and Pulteney Bridge
6. Laura Place and Great Pulteney Street
7. The Royal Mineral Water Hospital
8. Beau Nash's House and the Theatre Royal
9. Queen Square
10. Gravel Walk
11. The Royal Crescent
12. The Circus
13. The Assembly Rooms
14. The Paragon
15. Milsom Street

I have placed a permanent link to this site in my sidebar under audio and visual media.

Facade of the Pump Room

Bath Daily Photo

One of my favorite sites has closed shop for now. James Russiello of the Bath Daily Photo took me down memory lane every time I entered the blog. The good news is that his archived posts will remain on the blogosphere for us to view. The bad news is that he's moving to Ireland.
I enjoyed James's frequent trips to my blog and the comments he left. Mostly, I appreciated his talent for showing Bath in a glowing light. James, whose commentary is as informative as his photos, promises to return to this site in a few months to update it. I hope so.

Good luck, my Internet friend. May you find success and happiness in your new position. Meanwhile, here are some of James' photos of Pulteney Bridge, such as this one taken at night. The one above is taken on the bridge itself, facing the shops. One can imagine Jane Austen walking past this scene and finding it comfortably familiar.

Plan of Pulteney Bridge by Robert Adam, Ison Walter, The Georgian Buildings of Bath 1700 - 1830.

Correction, the previous image sitting earlier on this post was of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. My trigger finger uploaded the wrong image. My apologies.

Panoramic/Virtual Views of Bath

Click here for some fabulous panoramic views of Bath as photographed by John Law.

When the site loads (be patient), double click on the image and wait for it to load. Move your cursor left or right. You can then see a 360 degree view of Bath Abbey, or gardens by Capability Brown in Bath Spa University, or the Royal Crescent, Bath.

It's almost the next best thing to being there.

The Pump Room and Bath

Facade of the Pump Room

Beck's and Posh, one of my favorite food sites, visited the Pump Room in Bath in one of their posts.

Click here to read their fabulous post.


More About the Pump Room and Bath:

The Pump Room's Little Known Facts

The Pump Room

Jane Austen And Her Times, Mitton, Chapter 12

The History of Bath - find fabulous photos, illustrations, and paintings on this site.


Click here for the links to Bath on this site:

All Things Bath

Jane Austen and Bath