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29 October 2014
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Walks

Actress dressed as Jane Austen

Write across the West: walk with Jane Austen in Bath

There are two recorded visits by Jane in 1797 and 1799, although it is reasonable to suppose she made other family visits here.

Follow these links to get a map and to watch a video of BBC Points West's Amanda Parr walking the route:

She then came to live here in 1801 for five years after her father, the Reverend George Austen, retired to the city. Bath is mentioned in all six of her completed novels.

Abbey Churchyard

Amanda Parr in Bath

Not that much has changed since Austen's day in this courtyard - even then there were shops. Above the Roman Baths on your left, there were houses.

Walking past the Pump Rooms, under the colonnade, you enter the hustle and bustle of today's shopping area.

Stall Street/Cheap Street

Turn right up Stall Street, past the inevitable buskers and more shops, before turning right again into Cheap Street.

You'll walk past the North side of the Abbey now, but continue onwards crossing the roads to arrive at the Parade Gardens which sprawl out below you.

Grand Parade

Amanda Parr in Bath

Keeping the gardens on your right, continue along this pavement until you are opposite the former Empire Hotel (now a restaurant and luxury retirement apartments).

It has three different types of top to depict the three classes of society - a mere quarter-of-a-million pounds will get you a nice little two-bedroomed place.

Pulteney Bridge

Behind you is Pulteney Weir with Pulteney Bridge crossing the river. It's said to be one of only three in the world with shops on both its sides, and was designed by Robert Adam.

The Podium

Continue onwards and cross Bridge Street into an alleyway directly in front of you (do not cross the Bridge though) leading to a small shopping centre called The Podium.

Housing such notable stores as Waitrose, walk through this centre and reappear outside onto the High Street.

Still heading northwards, cross the road at the crossing past the Post Office.

Turn left into Broad Street and left again into Green Street.

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last updated: 03/08/06
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