Historical Homes Walking Tour (Self Guided), Bath

Nothing typifies Regency life in Bath so much as a classic Jane Austen novel. The world-renown author lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were set here. So it's no surprise that in Bath you will find the Jane Austen Centre. Nestled in a Georgian house near the imposing Bath Abbey, The Circus, and the Roman Baths, this museum aims to share the wonders of Austen's Georgian-era Bath with the world.

The Centre has actors in Regency costume to create an immersive experience. There is a carefully crafted, waxwork statue of Jane. The waxwork often surprises visitors as it stands at 5'8", quite tall for a Georgian lady. Forensic artists spent over three years creating the sculpture. There is only one likeness of Jane Austen; a portrait drawn by her sister, Cassandra. However, other family members criticized the portrait and felt it did not capture the true Jane Austen. See for yourself whether or not the sculpture matches your expectations. You'll also find a gift shop and a tea room operated by the Centre.

Why You Should Visit:
Ardent Jane Austen fans will need no encouragement to stop at the Jane Austen Centre. But the Centre is designed as an immersive experience for the whole family, with guides in period costumes add to the charm. Learn about Bath's history, especially about Regency-era life and customs.

The building itself, part of a block on Gay Street, is an English Heritage Grade II listed building.

Tips:
The Centre organizes Bath's Jane Austen Festival every year in September. The ten-day celebration features over 80 events, including a summer ball, a costumed promenade, and a masquerade ball.

Do not miss the Centre's Regency Tea Room, which has been awarded the Tea Guild's Award of Excellence. If you've visited the Centre, you get 10 percent off at the Tea Room.

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, located on New King Street in Bath, offers a rich historical and astronomical experience. Inaugurated in 1981, it occupies a well-preserved Georgian town house that once served as the home of the renowned astronomers William Herschel and his sister Caroline. This modest five-story building, part of a terrace constructed around 1764-1770, exemplifies middle-grade Georgian architecture with its Bath stone ashlar facade, slate Mansard roofs, and distinctive sash windows.

Significant for its connection to the Herschels, who resided here from 1777, the building is where William Herschel discovered Uranus in March 1781 using a telescope he designed and built on-site. Despite William's departure in 1782, Caroline and their brother Alexander remained until 1784.

Recognized for its historical importance, the building is a grade II* listed property by English Heritage. It underwent restoration in 1981 and again in 2000, featuring period-specific wallpaper and carpets based on 18th-century designs. The building's preservation was championed by the William Herschel Society, formed in 1977, and aided by Doctors Leslie and Elizabeth Hilliard, whose contributions are commemorated by the naming of asteroid 6395 Hilliard.

The museum, managed by the Herschel House Trust and governed by the Bath Preservation Trust since July 2015, was opened on the bicentennial of Uranus's discovery. Its patrons have included the notable astronomers Patrick Moore and Brian May. The museum is split over three floors within the house, with an ornamental garden attached, and a cinema within the vaults that shows documentaries on astronomical discoveries. Under the curatorship of Debbie James, the museum offers an engaging experience through audio tours, a virtual tour for mobility-impaired visitors, and tactile books for the visually impaired.

Inside one of the oldest houses in Bath, you will find some delectable treats. As the story goes, Sally Lunn was a French immigrant who arrived in Bath in 1680 and established this bakery. The house was built around 1482, but the masonry oven and other elements on the ground floor date from around 1137.

The lower level of the home hosts a museum where you can tour the original kitchen. The house still serves food based on their trademark recipe, the "Sally Lunn Bunn." In the evening, they serve fine English food, including some spectacular pies.

But all is not as it seems at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House. While the food is excellent, and the house is very old indeed, there is little historical evidence of one Sally Lunn, or Solange Lyon, as the story goes. The building was purchased in the 1930s by the enterprising Marie Byng-Johnson, who opened a tearoom and claimed to subsequently discover an "ancient document" that told Madamoiselle Lunn's story. The "Sally Lunn Bunn" moniker had already long been used to describe the sweet teacake throughout Britain.

Regardless of the details, Sally Lunn Bunns are an iconic Bath original. There's no better place in town to take tea, and there's no better accompaniment than the original teacake. Savory or sweet, with tea or coffee, you can't go wrong. Just don't forget the clotted cream.

Marshal Wade's House, also known as General Wade's House, located on Abbey Church Yard in Bath, is a historical building of significant architectural and cultural value. Built around 1700, it has earned the prestigious status of a Grade I listed building, indicating its exceptional interest and national importance.

The house was initially believed to have been constructed in 1730 and attributed to Lord Burlington. However, further research has shifted this understanding, suggesting an earlier construction date. The actual patron of the house was George Wade, a notable figure in British military and political history. Wade was a Field Marshal, served as a British military commander and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, and represented Bath as a Member of Parliament from 1722 to 1747.

Architecturally, Marshal Wade's House is a fine example of Palladian design, which is particularly evident in its façade. The building showcases five fluted Ionic pilasters across the first and second floors, embodying the elegance and symmetry characteristic of Palladian architecture. Additionally, the house features standard Georgian period sash windows with multiple panes and a moulded cornice. The design was inspired by Inigo Jones' house in Covent Garden, London, reflecting the influential styles of the time.

In the early 19th century, the ground floor of the building underwent a transformation. It was converted for retail use and now boasts a Regency era shopfront. This includes an elaborate fascia and delicate Regency trimmings, adding to the building's historical charm. Currently, this space is occupied by the National Trust. While the ground floor remains in retail use and is open to the public, the upper levels of the house are not accessible to visitors, preserving their historical ambiance.