The Jane Austen Festival

The dates for this year's fetsival are 14-22 September 2012. This will be the twelfth and what promises to be the busiest ever Jane Austen Festival with over sixty (sixty-seven to be exact!) events, spread across the nine days, with daytime as well as evening concerts and theatricals plus a wide variety of things to do.

Some of the highlights are, the closure of Milsom Street to traffic for the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade on Saturday 15th, what a sight that promises to be with the 32nd Cornwall Regiment, the Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry plus others in military uniform leading the procession through the centre of the city. We have a new route this year which will start from Queen Square and finish at Parade Gardens. The rest of the day will be spent in the Guildhall which will be filled with entertainments (theatricals, concerts and readings) and the Festival Fayre.

Actors Adrian Lukis (Mr Wickham) and Caroline Langrishe are hoping to join us on Sunday 16th presenting duologues at the Tea Room in the Assembly Rooms. This will of course be dependent on their very busy schedules so fingers crossed. Monday 17th is our day of dancing with a special workshop for Regency dance callers plus a whole class dedicated to Mr Beveridge’s Maggot! Jane Odiwe Austen sequel author is joining us as is award winning biographer and Austen expert, Paula Byrne, owner of ‘The real Jane Austen’ portrait.

Artifice Theatre Company are performing at the Guildhall and the Old Theatre, their productions make use of the venue by using it as its stage and set – a quite unique theatrical experience. There are lots of walks, talks, workshops (learn to play the harp), concerts, trips, dances and plenty of opportunities to get to know other Jane Austen enthusiasts whilst also dressing Regency style. We even have a workshop dedicated to getting the Regency look on the cheap!

Back by public demand, is the Regency Costumed Masked Ball in the Pump Rooms – with its drinks reception by the Roman Baths – in such beautiful surroundings it is probably one of the most magical evening experiences ever!

If you require accommodation during the Jane Austen Festival, use the 'Book Accommodation Nearby' box to the right, or use the Accommodation tab at the top of the page. This will provide you with an online booking service for accommodation in Bath and the surrounding area. Alternatively, contact our personal accommodation booking service: + 44 (0) 844 847 5256.