In search of your Mr Darcy? Best to look in Bath
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Jane Austen is having a renaissance. The new face of the £10 note has inspired Hollywood rom-com Austenland, released on September 27. It stars Jane Seymour, Jennifer Coolidge and Keri Russell who travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search of her Mr Darcy.
Fancy following in her footsteps? Starting this weekend, Bath's streets will be filled with Mr Darcys celebrating the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice as part of the nine-day Jane Austen Festival.
To really soak up the atmosphere stay at the 19th-century built Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel. The original Greek revival style house, which was first home to General Augustus Andrews, was sold in 1860 to Reverend Charles Kemble, Rector of Bath Abbey, and later to the newly formed Bath College. In 1939 the property was requisitioned by the Admiralty and the room where Winston Churchill would hold high level discussions still stands strong.
The 129-room property overlooks beautiful landscaped gardens and the Vellore restaurant, once a magnificent ballroom, transports diners back to the elegant Austen era.
Visit macdonaldhotels.co.uk for more details.
A trip to Bath wouldn't be complete without afternoon tea in the Pump Room. Jane Austen describes a visit here to take the waters and to see if there was anyone of interest newly arrived in the city. Both a historical and stylish setting, it has been a filming location for television programmes and movies including Ken Russell's The Music Lovers, the BBC's adaptation of Persuasion and Bonekickers, starring Hugh Bonneville. Traditional tea is priced at £19.50 per guest. Visit searcys.co.uk.
