Bringing Austen to Life: Experiencing an Austenian Bath
- Katelyn Brandes
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear reader, the annual Jane Austen festival marked its 250th year with a stunning experience for the young and the aged. This festival was filled with elated Janeites who wished to spread their love of Austen to all who would listen. Their quest to spread the love of Austen’s books continues even though the festival has ended, and I shall endeavor to explain how their excitement was displayed through costumes, food, and experiences as I narrate what your experience at the festival might have been if you attended with the starry eyes of a Janeite.
The Bath Experience
The bifold doors of the train open, and you step into Bath for the first time. Your eyes immediately notice the centuries-old buildings, coaches passing hastily by, and then you see two friends quietly talking, arm in arm. One has a light purple dress and a dark purple jacket, while the other has a light green dress and a white jacket. You excitedly begin admiring their dresses with your friends and the chaperone who just exited the train. Once the excitement had settled down, it is unanimously decided that everyone was ravenous, and so you began to make your way to a restaurant for a delicious meal of local cuisine.
 As lunch concluded, your chaperone announced you and your comrades would visit his friend, who would give a lecture on etiquette in Regency society because he found manners lacking at lunch. This friend was a delight to learn from, for he was dressed in a full Regency suit and pronounced each word in a thick British accent, and administered advice most fashionably. Among many of the topics he touched on, he explained the etiquette of dining, how a mutual acquaintance is required to introduce you to those whom you have not yet been acquainted with, and when and how to use the titles of those whom you will meet.
With sufficient etiquette knowledge, you begin a leisurely stroll along Milsom Street with your friends, and you notice an abundant number of women in Regency-style dresses and men in suits and top hats. Some are gathering together to talk in hushed tones, while others meet long-lost acquaintances; occasionally, squeals of excitement can be heard. As you continue on the street, you notice each shop has a distinct style. Your group pauses at several well-crafted window displays, some of which feature hand-painted Jane Austen novels, others showcase vibrant watercolor paintings of her books, and others sell high-quality Regency-style dresses and suits. Â
 As the evening draws to a close, your group hurries to the theater to see a live production of Emma. Before you step foot into the theater, everywhere you look, you notice dresses, bonnets, and coat tails. As you find your seat, your eyes are drawn to the high arches of the ceiling, the intricate molding of the booths, and the iridescent crystal chandelier. The low, eccentric murmur of the crowd suddenly goes silent as the first actor steps onto the stage in a booming voice.
As you watch each scene unfold, the crowd sits with an ever-increasing eagerness to discover how our heroine finds her hero. With a fulfilling and stunning conclusion, you watch the curtains close and realize your time at this festival has also come to a close. As you walk the streets of Bath hand in hand with your friends, you reflect on which dresses were your favorite, which window displays you loved the most, and how lovely all those whom you had the pleasure of being introduced to were. Â
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