Jane Austen's England

Bath

Jane Austen actually lived in Bath for two different periods, hence her intimate knowledge of the city was used for Northanger Abbey and Persuasion which were largely set here. Much has been restored in Bath so it's probably much like Jane Austen actually knew it. Famous Bath locations were used in the movies include the Royal Crescent and the Pump Room so when you visit them you'll feel you've seen them before. The Royal Crescent is an arc of residential homes designed by the architect John Wood the Younger and considered one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in England. The pump room opened in 1706 to provide a place for citizens to drink the curative waters, to view the bathers in the King’s Bath and meet in the mornings.

Lyme

This delightful little coastal town in west Dorset is another important feature in Jane Austen's novel Persuasion and both versions of the film have used it as a backdrop. Most famous are Granny's Teeth steps on The Cobb, a harbour wall of much character.

Peak District & Derbyshire

The gorgeous landscapes and houses of the Peak District and Derbyshire feature prominently in Jane Austen, particularly in Pride and Prejudice. If you're keen to take in the most locations from both the BBC series and the more recent film, check out Lyme House where Colin's Firth's Darcy emerges from the pond. It was also used as Pemberley. Whereas Chatsworth House was used in the film with Keira Knightley.

Lacock Village

Given the enormous popularity of the 1995 BBC Series of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, the main street of Lacock Village should be very familiar to you. Of course there are no horse and carts or soldiers in regimentals, but Lacock does double as the main street of Meryton. It was chosen because even today it's a charming rural village, largely untouched by modern development. It dates back to the 13th century and many of the houses are limewashed, half-timbered and stone.

Chawton, Alton, Hampshire GU34

Chawton is a village in East Hampshire and is famed as the home of Jane Austen for the last eight years of her life. If you're a true Austen fan you'll have to visit Chawton Cottage where she lived and penned her books, it is now a museum. Chawton House is where her brother lived. It's a grand 400 year old Elizabethan manor house on 275 acres of land.