Thursday 18th September 2025

Avoncliff Canal Cruise

9:00 & 14:00 - tbc depending on train times (duration 4 hours)

Meet: Outside the taxi rank entrance of Bath Spa Train Station, BA1 1SU

“If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.”— Jane Austen

Embark on an enchanting canal cruise inspired by the timeless elegance of Jane Austen. We’ll meet at Bath train station and embark on a scenic train journey through the picturesque English countryside to the historic town of Bradford on Avon. Upon arrival, a gentle promenade of approximately 1.5 km along the riverbank, accompanied by a knowledgeable historical local guide, will lead us to the canal boat marina where the ‘Barbara McLellan’ awaits.
Relax and unwind as we set sail on a peaceful, unhurried cruise along the tranquil canal, passing through the stunning Avoncliff Aqueduct. A delectable breakfast will be served on board, offering the perfect accompaniment to this serene journey.
Step into the world of Jane Austen and create memories to treasure. Costumes are essential for this immersive experience. Spaces are limited, so secure your place today.

Tickets £150 from enquiries@baththeatrical.com

Northanger Abbey Book Club

10:00 (duration 1 hour)

Venue: Bath Central Library, 19-23 The Podium, Bath BA1 5AN

You are welcomed to Jane Austen Festival book club, graciously hosted by Bath Library. We will be discussing Northanger Abbey in small groups, so bring your copy along and come prepared to chat and share your thoughts with others! We will start with the questions attendees suggested when booking, and then see where the discussion leads each small group...
Please reserve a place to indicate you will be attending. You can also suggest a question or point to discuss during the session when booking.

Free event - please reserve your place

“Irresistible Waltz" Country Dancing - Regency dance workshop

10:00 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Venue: Elwin Room, BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, BA1 2HN

Jane Austen, in Emma, describes Waltz Country Dance tunes as “irresistible” - so join The Jane Austen Dancers for a sociable session covering dances to these slower waltz tunes popular c1790 -1820. We also take a short look (to avoid ‘waltz vertigo’!) at scandalous Couple Waltzing, popular after 1810 and described by Byron as “wanton”, and follow its route to acceptance in polite society.

Aimed at all levels of ability, there’s no need to bring a partner. Period costume (no trains) is welcome but not essential. Please wear flat, non-slip shoes, light clothing and bring a drink. A good understanding of English is necessary to understand the teaching.

Tickets £20

From Pattern to Promenade - beginners dressmaking workshop

10:00 & 13:00 (duration 2 hours)

Venue: Duncan Room, BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, BA1 2HN

Join seamstress and dressmaking tutor Anna Vickery for a 2 hour workshop on getting started using paper garment making patterns for Regency costumes.
Suitable for beginners, during this workshop we will discuss everything from choosing a pattern, taking your measurements, reading material requirements to laying out the pattern, cutting the cloth and assembling a garment. Small groups should allow time for individual help, so bring any patterns you’ve got stashed, a pen/notebook and paper scissors.

Tickets £48

Life's Lottery: Life & Death in Georgian England - walking tour

10:00 (duration 2 hours)

Meet: Outside the main door of Bath Abbey, Abbey Churchyard, BA1 1LY

What was your life expectancy? What were the everyday hazards that might finish you off? Walk through the City of Bath with Bath Parade Guides and hear about the dangers of real life that lurk around every corner, whilst learning more about the social conditions of the time.

Tickets £13

Archery

10:30 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Venue: Brocks Outdoor Advertures, Kelston, Bath BA1 9AF (bus, taxi or car required to get to this venue)

Adventurous spirits, grasp your bow and arrow - prepare for a marvellous experience!
On arrival, you'll be welcomed by your host, a GB Archery qualified instructor, as you take in Kelston Roundhill's breath-taking views. They'll guide you through the woodland walk towards the archery range - where all the magic happens. Here, you will be shown everything you need to know about your bow and arrow, the rules on the range and safety demonstration. Once all bases are covered, it's time to show off your newly learned skills with plenty of Archery games!

Tickets £35

Jane Austen: Fact or Fiction with Gill Hornby

11:00 (duration 1 hour)

Venue: Theatre Royal, Saw Cl, Bath BA1 1ET

Gill Hornby, author of three novels based on Jane Austen themes and a biography for young readers will be in conversation with Jane Tapley, Special Events Organiser at the Theatre Royal Bath, as part of the Jane Austen Festival celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth.

She will talk about her love of Austen and what inspired her to write her books. All of them - Godmersham Park, Miss Austen and The Elopement have become best sellers and highly praised by the literary world. Miss Austen has recently been made into a series by the BBC, broadcast in February 2025. This is a wonderfully original, emotionally complex novel that delves into why Cassandra burned a treasure trove of letters written by her sister Jane - an act of destruction that has troubled academics for centuries. Gill came to novel writing later in life when her four children had matured and has established herself as a successful writer alongside her brother Nick Hornby and her husband Robert Harris.

Tickets £13

Regency Rum Bluffers: “Desert Island Austen” singing workshop

11:00 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Venue: The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn St, Bath BA1 1UF

Imagine Jane on a desert island - what music would she choose? What luxury would she take? What book would she choose? Join this group session to sing the songs Jane might chose and speculate with us on what book and which luxury she would choose.
As always, no previous singing experience is needed and the songs will be taught by ear, so there is no need to be able to read music.

Tickets £25

Sewing with Jane Austen - workshop

11:00 (duration 2 hours)

Venue: Percy Community Centre, New King St, Bath BA1 2BN

Create your own 18th-century ‘Hussif,’ a sewing accessories wrap, using fabrics from the 'At Home with Jane Austen' collection. Learn traditional hand-sewing techniques while crafting a practical and stylish wrap for your sewing tools. Perfect for beginners and experienced crafters, this workshop combines creativity and history for a unique experience. All materials and light refreshments provided. Led by Abigail Rose, embroidery artist and seamstress, with assistance from Sophie Andrews, aka Laughing With Lizzie.

Tickets £65 from abigailrosecreative@gmail.com

Fashion Museum Bath in Storage - collection tour in Warminster

11:00 & 14:00 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Venue: Furnax Lane, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8PE (Please be aware this venue is outside of Bath, a 30 minute drive away, and will require a car or taxi ride)

Join the Fashion Museum team at their collections store in Warminster for a 1-hour, behind-the-scenes tour of their collection, with a focus on highlight pieces from the Regency period.

Free event - please reserve your place

Murder Most Austen - talk

12:30 (duration 1 hour)

Venue: Elwin Room, BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, BA1 2HN

The past decade has seen a significant rise in Jane Austen detective fiction retellings. But what is it about Austen’s work that lends itself to the detective genre? What makes the Austen heroine qualified to solve a murder?
Join crime writer and crime fiction scholar Dr Lucy Andrew for a talk exploring the influence of Austen’s work on the development of detective fiction and the motives behind the current Austen crime wave.

Tickets £13

"Carriages" to Meryton & Longbourn - minibus tour

13:15 (duration 4 hours)

Meet: Outside the Jane Austen Centre, 40 Gay Street, BA1 2NT

Starting with a driving tour of Austen’s Bath, then onto the village of Luckington to visit the St Mary with St Ethelbert Church and walk in the footsteps of the P&P 1995 cast. Next Lacock – a village trapped in time and the location for Meryton & Highbury. Then back to Bath to finish with the best view of Bath from ‘that Noble Hill’.
For this event you will travel in a small luxury 21st Century minibus driven by your tour guide Adge Secker.

Tickets £58

Dormouse to Donkey Carts - The Carriages of Jane Austen's Era

14:00 (duration 1 hour)

Venue: Elwin Room, BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, BA1 2HN

Amy Bracey has been driving horse-drawn carriages since she was knee high to a grasshopper and her love for them became a career when working for the National Trust, cataloguing their carriage collection. She is Project Curator for The Carriage Foundation, an educational charity, and advises museums and individuals across the globe on the care, conservation, history and research of horse-drawn carriages.
This illustrated presentation will explore the modes of transport mentioned in Austen's novels and what they represented in the subtle language of her writings.

Tickets £13 

But Is It The Done Thing? - walking tour

14:00 (duration 2 hours)

Meet: Outside the main door of Bath Abbey, Abbey Churchyard, BA1 1LY

Let’s go outdoors with Jane Austen and her female characters. What was socially acceptable? How much freedom did unmarried girls/women have in Jane Austen’s time? Did they really need a chaperone to accompany them? And how much fun was allowed?

Through considering Jane’s characters and her own life in Bath find out with Bath Parade Guides what young women did once they were away from the confines of home.

Tickets £13

Love, Laughter and Rogues

16:00 (duration 1 hour)

Venue: Elwin Room, BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, BA1 2HN

A musical exploration of Jane Austen’s life, loves, novels and humour using music from her own collection.
Join ‘The Square Pianist’, Lisa Timbs with Verity Joy, soprano and Annemarie Rhys-Jones, harpist, for a romp through the Austen music books to discover what this contemporary playlist tell us about Jane.

In the beautiful Georgian surroundings of the Elwin Room, beneath the building’s famous Casali ceiling paintings, once dined under by Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, Lisa will share music and insights gained from years of studying Jane’s original manuscript books. These rarely heard pieces will speak of patriotism and passion, highlight Jane’s love of nature and laughter, and provide clues in her novels that warn us about the rogues!

Tickets £17

Museum Late Opening at No 1 Royal Crescent

Open from 16:30 - 22:00 (Last admission 19:00)

Venue: No.1 Royal Crescent, BA1 2LR

Wander the twilit museum and take in the story of the house from a fresh perspective. With standard admission, you will enjoy after-hours access to the museum. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the evening, and our on-site gift shop will be open for your perusal.
Open from 4:30pm – 8pm (last admission 7pm, shop and bar close 7:30pm).
Our Jane Austen in Bath experience will run all evening.

Tickets £16 Adult, £14.50 Concession from no1royalcrescent.org.uk

Regency Assembly at Waterstones Bath

19:00 (duration 2hr 30mins)

Venue: Waterstones Bath, 4-5 Milsom Street, BA1 1DA

Join us for a Regency themed evening with music, dancing and photo opportunities! With your ticket, you will receive a glass of bubbly and some nibbles in the café. Costumes are encouraged and there will be 1st and 2nd prizes for the best dressed!

OPEN MIC: Bring your Regency-themed poems, stories, letters or songs! We want to hear them all! All who participate in Open Mic are entered into our raffle to win a special prize!
Email entries to events.bath@waterstones.com
Please give your name, title of the piece, and length of duration (try to keep this under 5 minuets, please).

Tickets £15 from www.waterstones.com/events/regency-assembly/bath

Ghost Walk

19:30 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Meet: Outside the main door of Bath Abbey, Abbey Churchyard, BA1 1LY

Take a leisurely night-time stroll through the haunted streets of Bath - listen to eerie stories of murder, mystery, mayhem, and ghosts. Including tales of execution areas, haunted pubs, the old hospital, theatre and, of course, the duelling ground where so many met a grisly fate. A scary and fun evening out!

Tickets £17

The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged)

20:00 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Venue: The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, BA1 1UF

One newbie and two self-professed Janeites, through almost all means imaginable, tackle the entire canon of Jane Austen’s works – in just 80 minutes. Written by Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast & Meghan Winch.

Come along for a fun, funny, and fast-paced romp through the masterpieces of Jane Austen with The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged. Three nimble actors take on all of Austen’s beloved heroines, friends, and love interests—and her incisive social satire—in just 80 minutes. It is a truth universally acknowledged that an audience in possession of high spirits must be in want of a ticket to this big-hearted comedy that will delight Janeites and newcomers alike.
Suitable for ages 14+ (contains swearing and sexual references)

Tickets £19

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