Festivals

The ten day festival, now in its seventh year, includes events taking place at different venues throughout Bath, the city Jane Austen called home for several years.

The festival annually attracts people from all over the world and begins on Friday 21st with a special evening at the Jane Austen Centre in Gay Street.

This includes the opening speech by Festival Director David Lassman, along with a discussion on the recent Rejecting Jane story, which saw many of today's top publishers reject Jane Austen novels sent to them under a pseudonym. 

On Saturday 22nd the Grand Regency Promenade takes place with up to 200 people expected to take to the streets of Bath dressed in period costume.

Other events could see you getting your creative juices flowing by trying to write like the acclaimed Georgian author, or trying your hand at bonnet-making or dancing.

You may need the bonnet and dancing lessons if you're planning to attend the Grand Recency Ball on the 29th.

There are also plenty of walking tours - where topics include Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Jane Austen's Bath and Sydney Gardens.

Foodies are catered for too, with a breakfast on the 29th, share a bun with Mr Darcy at the Regency Tea Rooms on the 30th or find out all about what the 18th Century great and good dined on - followed by a three-course Georgian-style meal in an elegant private Regency townhouse, also on the 30th.

As well as all the entertainment, there's an educational side to the festival, with lectures, exhibitions and a chance to discover more about spiritual life in the 18th Century.

A full programme is available online at the festival website.