The Grand Regency Costumed Promenade is a Regency costume mandatory event.
Please note there are no changing facilities at the promenade start point (you cannot change in Royal Crescent Hotel or No1 Royal Crescent), so please arrive in your Regency finery. The nearest toilets are in Charlotte Street car park.
If you arrive for the promenade not in suitable Regency costume you will be refused participation with no refund offered.

Please prepare appropriately for the weather!

We advise that you carry an umbrella and wear sensible shoes for rain. In the event of warm weather please carry a bottle of water.
This event will take place in all weathers unless there is an extreme weather warning in place. So please be prepared for whatever the weather may be , dressed in your Regency outfits.

Please be aware that there will be a lot of media coverage of this event, and it won’t be possible to be able to control who does or doesn’t feature in photos of filmed footage. By taking part, you accept that you may be filmed and photographed.

If you are taking part in the Promenade, please refrain from using selfie sticks whilst promenading. Please help us to keep the event as historically authentic and immersive as possible for those participating and for those watching, by minimising your use of 21st Century devices whilst promenading through Bath. 

For any media persons wishing to cover this event, please get in touch with the Festival office via email to festivaloffice@janeausten.co.uk

Starting from the Royal Crescent, and led by His Majesty's 33rd Regiment of Foot, the 2026 promenade will follow a step-free route through the beautiful city of Bath for approximately 1 hour ending by promenading onto Great Pulteney Street. Please be in place and ready to start promenading by 10:45 at the latest, to move off at 11:00 sharp.

The crossing point on George Street (from upper pavement across the road to go down the centre of Milsom Street) will be manned totally by road safety marshals - progress might be slow here as we are crossing in intervals. You might be asked to pause at this point.
Please only cross where and when you are asked to by the official security marshals.
Road safety marshals will be managing the promenade for your safety, please follow their instructions on the day.

Please be aware of your surroundings at all times. 
During the promenade the road surfaces and pavements will be changeable and may be uneven, please take care.

Weapons
Weapons are prohibited from the 2026 Promenade.
The decision has been made to not permit participants to wear weapons in the Promenade this year. We will have one re-enactor group with weapons, however this is being securely managed by professional armourers alongside the police. The logistics of checking amongst 2000+ promenaders for individuals with weapons, then checking their credentials; certificates/licences etc on the day is not practical for this event.

Weapons are also not permitted inside the Guildhall or Pavilion, along with many other venues in Bath anyway, so it is best to leave your weapons safely at home for the duration of your time in Bath City Centre.

• The entire Jane Austen Festival Promenade route is step free, however the pavement and roads are (like a lot of Bath) not always smooth or level. You will be required to mount sloped curbs, and navigate cobbled streets.
• There is no seating available at the meeting point.
• The nearest toilets to the meeting point are in Charlotte Street Car Park. There are no toilets available at the meeting point.
• There are no cafes local to the meeting point.
• At the George Street Crossing there are narrow steps down to the road, with no handrails.
• Level access when the promenade crosses George Street is at the **traffic light crossing point** - these will be turned off, but the marshals will guide you as to when to safely cross with everyone else.
• We are unable to offer carers tickets for Promenade wristbands.
• There will be a designated Lost Child/Vulnerable Adult point- please see a promenade marshal on the day if you are concerned about someone.

Wristbands for under 16s are free, however they must be booked so we know how many promenaders to expect. Please mark the number of free children's wristbands you will require on the booking page. Children participating in the promenade must be accompanied by a Regency clothed, wristband wearing adult at all times.

• Dogs are very welcome to accompany their wristband-wearing, regency-outfitted owners on the Promenade.
  Please be aware dogs, including assistance dogs, are not allowed onto the private Royal Crescent lawn. If you are promenading with your pooch, you will have to remain outside this area with your four-legged friend and gather on the pavement opposite.
  
• Horses (both ridden or pulling carriages) are NOT allowed in the Promenade, or to follow it.

Promenade wristbands will be available to collect from Jane Austen Festival Stewards prior to the start of the Promenade from Wristband Collection Points listed here:

• Pick up point 1: Friday 11th September 2026 in the Georgian Room of Bath Guildhall from 12:30 - 17:30, and from 20:00 - 21:00.
  If you are able to pick up your wristband on Friday, please do so to keep things running smoothly and swiftly on Saturday morning.
  
• Pick up point 2: Saturday 12th September 2026 at the start point of the Promenade - The Royal Crescent. Collection from 9:30 - 10:30 from Festival Stewards at the Royal Crescent.

• The Promenade is FREE to watch. 
• Please watch from the pavements and stay behind the bunting along the route.
• Please follow the instruction and guidence of our Promeande marshals, they are there to keep everyone safe.