Follow in Jane Austen’s Footsteps on the Great West Way

The Great West Way travels through some of the most quintessentially English countryside imaginable. So it seems fitting that it has so many connections to one of the most famous – and most quintessentially English – novelists of all time; Jane Austen. Born just south of the Great West Way route in Hampshire, Jane Austen lived, travelled and visited locations along the route during her lifetime. Many of these locations inspired the author’s works, and have been brought to life in the film and TV adaptions of her books. If you want to follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen, and discover the England of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma, take a trip along the Great West Way.

Visit London, Reading and Bath

The city of London marks the Eastern most point of the Great West Way route. It features in many of Austen’s novels – including Sense and Sensibility – as the most fashionable place to spend the ‘season’, and the author visited the city many times in her life. It is the perfect starting place from which to follow in Austen’s footsteps along the Great West Way. Moving West from London, towards the centre of the Great West Way, you will find the Berkshire town of Reading. Jane Austen spent 18 months at school here when she was a child. Today, Reading offers great shopping, dining and riverside attractions to explore.

Continuing West along the Great West Way brings you to the Georgian city of Bath. With its beautiful streets lined with historic buildings, Bath conjures up clear images of Austen’s world. The writer lived in Bath for around 18 months, and included the city in her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Bath has many places of interest for Austen fans to visit. Famous sites around the city like the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, the Pump Rooms and Assembley Rooms evoke the city of Austen’s time. The Jane Austen centre is dedicated to celebrating the novelist's life and work, offering a snapshot of life in Regency bath. The centre is also home to a themed tea room where you can enjoy tea, cake and splendid rooftop views of the city. Every September, Bath welcomes a ten-day Jane Austen Festival with events of all kinds centred around the author and her work; expect talks, performances, tours and workshops, as well as the annual Grand Regency Promenade around the city. 

Discover Jane Austen Filming Locations on the Great West Way

With its green rolling hills, picturesque villages of stone cottages and charming historic towns, it is no wonder that the Great West Way is often chosen as a filming location for period dramas. Many adaptations of Austen’s novels have been filmed at locations along the route – and many of these are open for visitors to explore, including a selection of fascinating National Trust properties. The National Trust village of Lacock, for example, is a beautifully preserved historic idyll dating back to the 13th century which stands in for the village of Meryton in the BBC’s 1995 Pride and Prejudice. Likewise, grand Dyrham Park in Somerset played a starring role in the recent ITV adaption of Austen's final and unfinished novel Sanditon and much of the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley was filmed at Basildon Park in Berkshire.

Other Austen filming locations to visit along the Great West Way include the beautiful Iford Manor Gardens near Bradford on Avon, and grand Bowood House near Calne, both of which appeared in Sanditon. The 1995 film of Sense and Sensibility was partly filmed in London, as well as featuring locations in Salisbury - just off the Great West Way route. Bath has also featured on screen in many Austen adaptations, with an upcoming version of Persuasion starring Dakota Johnson filmed in the city and currently in production.

Pretend to be an Austen Character

To really step into Jane Austen’s shoes while travelling the Great West Way, why not partake in some of the same activities that Austen and the characters from her novels would have enjoyed in Regency times? Try out travelling in style with a carriage ride from Windsor Carriages, or take a leisurely promenade through the Great Park. Or step back in time at some of the stunning stately homes along the route. Many of the great houses in Austen’s works are fictional places based on real buildings – but a visit to the likes of Bowood or Hampton Court Palace will give you a sense of what life was like for the upper classes in days gone by. Peruse the styles and fads from Regency England at the Fashion Museum, which features fashions from Jane Austen’s time. Spoil yourself with afternoon tea at a tearoom, café or hotel along the route or book a stay in the Jane Austen Master Bedroom at the Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa to stay the night in one of Bath’s most famous locations.

Inspired to follow the story of one of England’s most beloved authors through some of England’s prettiest landscapes? Take a look at the places to stay and things to see and do along the Great West Way to start planning your trip to follow in Jane Austen’s footsteps.