This month, Bath is putting on a huge birthday bash for one of its most famous residents. From September 12 to 21, it’s hosting the Jane Austen Festival in honour of the world-renowned writer’s 250th birthday. There’ll be a huge costumed parade, gala balls and theatrical performances, with Austen fans coming from far and wide to partake. If you consider yourself a hardcore Janeite, why not take the celebrations one further and stay in the writer’s former family home?
Part of Jane’s old Bath abode has been turned into an Airbnb, available to book right now. Located in the city’s idyllic Sydney Gardens, it’s made up of what was once the kitchen and butler’s pantry of the Austen household – apparently where Jane would go so that she could write undisturbed.
She lived there with her parents and sister between 1801 and 1805, and it was where she began to hone her craft. Here, Austen (in her late twenties) started working on her unfinished novella The Watsons. Although Jane only lived in Bath for five years, it’s mentioned in all of her major works and features as a main setting in both Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
Now Grade I-listed, the townhouse doesn’t quite look as it would have done when Jane was an occupant but there are a number of features that have survived the centuries and the owners say that ‘it’s a space Jane herself would still recognise’. There’s also a wooden writing desk tucked into an alcove in the office, in case Jane’s presence should give you a sudden burst of inspiration.
Maxwell, the Airbnb host, said: ‘When we bought it over a decade ago now, it had been uninhabited for about a century and earlier renovation attempts had been left unfinished - but this meant many original features had survived.
‘We were determined to preserve its historic character - and the flagstone floors, kitchen hearths, windows, shutters, and the majority of the panelling in the living room are all original.’
He added: ‘Many guests say staying here feels like coming home. One author returns every year to write, finding the energy of Jane’s old home both inspiring and relaxing.’
The Airbnb is available to book here, with prices sitting at around £198 to £260 per night, depending on the time of year. At the time of writing, it’s still availble on Jane’s actual 250th birthday, December 16. Hundreds of people have already stayed at the house, which has an impressive average rating of 4.94 out of five. One guest called it a ‘dream come true for this Austen fan’ and another said ‘ I came for Austen, but it was the vintage decor and cosy furnishings that made it for me’. You can find more of the best Airbnbs in Bath here.
Hungry for more Austen? Check out the immersive Jane Austen holiday experience, available to book until the end of the month.
And see how else the UK is celebrating her 250th birthday here.
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