Jane Austen Festival

Jane Austen is famed for her fiction which explores the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century, and we delve into her world during this fascinating long weekend break. We head to Bath, which was Jane Austen’s home in the early 1800s and provided inspiration for some of her beloved novels. This thriving spa resort was a playground for fashionable society and we experience it first-hand with a guided walking tour and the chance to attend several events as part of the world-famous Jane Austen Festival. Other heritage drawcards on our break include the stunning Bowood House and tranquil Iford Manor Gardens.


Travel Options


Holiday Highlights

  • 3 nights at the 4-star Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel & Spa with dinner & breakfast
  • Porterage
  • Welcome drink
  • After dinner tea and coffee at the hotel
  • Coach transfers to and from your excursions
  • Visits to Bath, Jane Austen Festival,  Bowood House & Iford Manor Gardens
  • Guided walking tour of Bath
  • Selected events at the Jane Austen Festival
  • Guided tour and lunch* at Bowood House
  • Guided tour of Iford Manor Gardens
  • Accompanied by a knowledgeable Tour Manager throughout

    *Please inform us at the time of booking of any special dietary requirements.

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Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel & Spa

The stylish 4-star Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel & Spa is centrally located in Bristol, minutes from Queen Square. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature flat-screen TV, safe and complimentary Wi-Fi access. The hotel also offers a bar and restaurant, an indoor pool, fitness suite plus a spa (spa treatments at extra cost).

Friday: Arrival
We check in to the Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel & Spa in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drinks reception hosted by our tour manager.

Saturday: Bath & Jane Austen Festival
We head into Bath, this picturesque city has remained faithful to its Regency roots with an abundance of elegant terraces, circuses and squares in a lovely valley setting. We enjoy a guided Jane Austen themed walking tour to view the highlights of the city that features so much in her writing.

Next up is the highlight of our tour, as we attend two special events as part of the Jane Austen Festival. Bath was home to the famous author in the early 1800s and to celebrate, every autumn sees the largest gathering of Jane Austen enthusiasts in the world. Events include the world-famous Grand Regency Costumed Promenade, public readings, theatricals and discussions on all sorts of subjects from food and 18th-century fashion to health and gardens.

Sunday: Bowood House & Iford Manor Gardens
We make our way to Bowood House; family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. This fine Georgian house holds a unique collection of historical artefacts and family heirlooms built up over nearly 300 years; from Queen Victoria’s wedding chair to Napoleon’s death mask, among a wealth of other treasures. Outside are 100 acres of beautiful parkland, designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. We enjoy lunch here after our guided tour.

Afterwards, we head to Iford Manor Gardens for a guided tour. The Grade I listed gardens were created by the Edwardian designer Harold Peto and have been welcoming visitors since 1910. Evoking Peto’s love of Italy, the gardens are characterised by colonnades, pools and ancient statues. In more recent times, the gardens have enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame by making their Big Screen debut; they served as the key location in the new adaptation of The Secret Garden starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters. We enjoy this beautiful and tranquil setting, with stunning rural views across the valley.

During the late afternoon we head back into Bath, with time to enjoy another Jane Austen Festival event and to explore the stunning city at leisure.

Monday: Departure
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel for our journey home.

Please note: the itinerary order is subject to change.