Tuesday 15th September 2026

'A prettyish kind of a little wilderness’ - Landscapes and Gardens in the Novels of Jane Austen - talk

12 noon (duration 1 hour)

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

Timothy Mowl’s lavishly-illustrated talk will consider designed landscapes and gardens in Jane Austen’s novels, not only as representative of current horticultural fads, but as important elements in the plots, providing the background to moments of high emotional drama. Her life spans the demise of Capability Brown’s minimalist landscaping (died 1783), the growth of Picturesque theory in the late 1780s and 1790s, which she satirizes in Northanger Abbey, and the coming of Humphry Repton, who appears in Mansfield Park, with his promotion of Ornamental Gardening. At the heart of the novels and of this talk are the shrubberies, sweet-scented, shadowy places for exercise, contemplation and romantic assignations.

Tickets £13

Death in Austen’s Novels - Book Club

12:00 noon (duration 1 hour)

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

Austen’s novels are not exactly famed for being mournful, but death is never far from the surface: Mr. Dashwood’s death in the first chapter of Sense and Sensibility, Frank Churchill’s aunt, Louisa Musgrove’s near-fatal accident… join us to talk through the importance of death in Austen’s novels.
Jane Austen Festival book clubs take place in small groups, with a list of suggested questions, however we also encourage participants to bring their own thoughts and questions along, and be ready to chat!

Our book clubs are drop-in sessions with no need to pre-register- we’ll try to accommodate as many people as we can.

Free drop-in event

Jane Austen Afternoon Tea at The Bath Priory

12:00 noon (duration 3 hours)

Venue: The Bath Priory, Weston Rd, Bath BA1 2XT (20mins walk from the Jane Austen Centre)

Indulge in our exquisitely curated Georgian Afternoon Tea, featuring a refined selection of classic finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served warm with clotted cream and jam, and beautifully handcrafted cakes inspired by timeless flavours. Served in the restaurant or on the sun‑drenched terrace, savour every moment as you look out across the Priory’s whimsical gardens, for a truly elegant and memorable afternoon steeped in heritage.

Tickets £55

Pride and Prejudice - A Murder Mystery by The Moonstone Theatre Company: The Killing at Netherfield Park…..

12:30 (duration 3 hours)

Venue: The Bird Hotel, 18-19 Pulteney Rd (South), Bathwick, BA2 4EZ

The Killing at Netherfield Park…..Charles Bingley was taking a stroll through his rented estate at Netherfield Park when he came across a man’s body in the grounds. It was obvious that he had been murdered. The body was that of George Wickham but who wanted him dead and would the killer be caught?

An investigation ensues and the four people who appeared to have a reason for wanting him dead are asked to attend a luncheon party. Could it have been Lydia Bennet or Mrs Younge or perhaps Mr Bennet, Lydia’s father and then of course there was Fitzwilliam Darcy.
All the clues will be there to enable the guests to catch the culprit. but will they be correctly deduced? 

Tickets £53 including lunch

Croquet Game

13:00 & 15:00 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Venue: Bath Croquet Club, Great Pulteney Street, Recreation Ground, BA2 4DS (entrance via Great Pulteney Street)

Spend 1 hour experiencing the Regency sport of "Pall-Mall" with an outdoor croquet game at Bath Croquet Club. Equipment and introductory instructions provided, enjoy a relaxed game of croquet, followed by post-match refreshments in the Croquet Pavilion. (Refreshments included in the ticket price)

Tickets £30

Strawberry Pottle Basket Weaving workshop

13:00 (duration 3hr 30mins)

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

Weave your very own Pottle, ideal for carrying fruit or sweet treats! Inspired by a UK heritage basket called a Pottle, used for picking and selling strawberries in the Regency era, renowned Devon basketmaker Sarah Le Breton has designed an adorable willow version for you to create.
Sarah will introduce you to the wonderful world of willow weaving and guide you step by step in the making of your very own Pottle, complete with brightly coloured ribbon trim.
Suitable for beginner weavers, aged 18+, all materials and tools provided.

Tickets £120

The Regency Way of Death - talk

14:00 (duration 1 hour)

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

Join Maggie Barton for a lively, but respectful, look at the rituals surrounding death, grief and funerals in Regency England. Her sparkling narrative will include the roles of clergymen, mutes, mourners and the newly emerging profession of Undertakers. The talk will feature deaths in the Austen family, concluding with the death and funeral of Jane Austen herself – have your black-edged hanky at the ready!

Tickets £13

Parasol workshop

14:00 (duration 3 hours)

Venue: The Art Pad, 62 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DN

Complete your outfit with this elegant regency style parasol with removable handle for ease of travel. It is part made for you to complete with an array of trimmings provided. Learn how to replace the cover with the pattern provided to match any outfit. All materials and refreshments provided.

Please contact Sylvia at regencyworkshops@gmail.com for fabric options including silk, satin & cottons, or further information about the workshops. This workshop is aimed at novice/intermediate level adults. 
Regency costume very welcome but not mandatory.

£130 from regencyworkshops@gmail.com

Jane Austen & Bath - walking tour

14:30 (duration 1hr 30mins)

Meet: The Prince of Wales Obelisk Monument, Centre of Queens Square, Bath, BA1 2HH

'Oh! Who could ever be tired of Bath?’ So said Jane Austen’s character Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey, which (along with her novel Persuasion) is set in Bath. Through family links and having visited and lived in the city, Austen knew Bath very well indeed. Come and find out more on this walking tour led by Mr Knightley of The Jane Austen Centre.

Tickets £15

Diversity in Jane Austen’s Bath - talk

15:30 (duration 1hr 30 mins))

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

Jane Austen’s Bath was a city of spectacle, sociability, and surprising diversity. Join National Trust curator, Dr Tim Manningmore, for a journey into the vibrant world of Georgian Bath and the radical inclusivity of its world-famous assemblies. 
Drawing on extensive curatorial research into the lives of LGBTQA+ people in eighteenth and nineteenth century Britain, and the vibrant histories of People of Colour in Georgian-era Bath, this talk explores the untold narratives of communities who lived and thrived in the city, and shaped the world that Jane Austen knew and wrote about.
Dr Tim Manningmore's research has been enabled thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, in addition to the kind support of National Trust volunteers.

Tickets £15

Fashion In the Time of Jane Austen: Book Talk with author Sarah Jane Downing.

18:00 (talk duration 45 mins, plus question time)

Venue: No.1 Royal Crescent, BA1 2LR

The Regency period stands alone as an incredible moment in fashion history unlike anything that went before or after. England created its own styles becoming the key fashion influence on the world stage. Men found a bold masculinity, whilst women drew upon a myriad of influences as the season-by-season flux of fashion.
This extensively researched and lavishly illustrated book offers a fascinating insight into the designs worn by both men and women in the era, the materials used, the fashion etiquette and gives insight into a private aspect of Jane Austen’s personal life. A bar serving wine, beers and soft drinks will be open throughout the event.

The author's presentation will last 45mins - 1hour with time for questions afterwards.
Regency costume very welcome but not mandatory.

Tickets £10 

Regency Games Evening

18:00 & 20:00 (duration 2hrs each)

Venue: The Bath Gin Bar, 2-3 Queen St, BA1 1HE

Jane Austen was known to be particularly adept at both cup & ball, and spillikins. Enjoy an evening or late-night session trying your skills (or luck) at these, as well as lottery tickets, whist, hazard and other Regency-era games, provided by John White of Select Society.
Fortunes will be gained or lost in the delicious venue of the Bath Distillery Gin Bar; here you will meet the talented mixologists who have created the cocktails of ‘Gin’ Austen, which are a fabulous way to explore the elegance and subtlety of their own gin.

Tickets £12

Ghost Walk

19:15 (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

Austen Delights

19:30 (duration 3 hours)

Venue: Regency Tea Room, Jane Austen Centre, 40 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT

Partake of a decadent selection of High Tea Treats, finished off with a traditional Regency pudding in the gorgeous surroundings of the Regency Tea Room. Complete with bubbles and highly entertaining Austen interpretations, why not escape for a couple of hours to this haven of literary fiction.

Tickets £58

*All ticket prices include transaction processing fee