If you are in Bath over the next 10 days do not be surprised if you see people in period costume! This is not the normal Bath fashion - it is the annual Jane Austen Festival! For 10 days people from around the world will gather to celebrate all things related to Jane Austen. The festival is the largest and longest Jane Austen Festival in the world and holds the Guinness World Record for the "Largest gathering of people dressed in Regency costume"! Festival-goers can go to talks about Jane Austen, visit sites related to her books and life, attend dancing workshops and see theatrical performances as well as take part in costumed balls.
During the festival there are 2 costumed promenades through the centre of Bath which are a great opportunity to see people dressed up in the Regency costume. The largest promenade is the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade which takes place on Saturday 9th September. The procession starts from the Holburne Museum at 12pm and lasts approx. 1 hour. Roads are closed as the town crier leads them through the streets. If you are in the city be sure to check it out, you can see a map of the route by clicking here.
There is a smaller mini-promenade which takes place on Sunday 17th September. The promenade starts at 12pm at the Royal Crescent and ends in front of the Bath Abbey.
Jane Austen is arguably one of Bath's most famous past residents. Come on one of my tours and I will tell you what Jane Austen and I have in common!
If you are Bath over the coming days I hope you enjoy the spectacle of seeing people dressed up :)
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