Confession is good for the soul….
or so the saying goes….. I am about to confess some recent antiquarian book purchases to you. In my defence, I will, of course, be sharing the contents of them with you in due course, so I’ve not been...
View ArticleWinter Pleasures: The Journey From Kellynch to Rivers Street (1)
It is the bleak midwinter, cold and dark, and, siting here in Darkest Lincolnshire what I am really desiring is a little quiet cheerfulness. I could do worse than to emulate Lady Russell of Persuasion...
View ArticleWinter Pleasures: The Ball-Room at the Upper Rooms
So..when Lady Russell ventures from her elegant lodgings in Rivers Street,what pleasures could she seek in Bath? She could go a short journey along River Street to the New Assembly Rooms for a ball....
View ArticleWinter Pleasures: The Great Octogon and the Tea Room at the Upper Rooms
So…yesterday we had to pretend that Lady Russell was a great dancer and enjoyed spending winter evenings at the Ball-Room at the Upper Rooms. It was fun though….I do hope you agree. Today, we do not...
View ArticleWinter Pleasures: The Pump Room, Bath
Today for the last of Lady Russell’s Winter Pleasures posts (although there is one more tomorrow in this series,a book review) we are going to look at the Pump Room. The Pump Room in Bath was built in...
View ArticleBook Review: Ralph Allen, Builder of Bath by Diana Winsor
Most of us are familiar with the architects of Bath - John Wood senior and elder- who planned Queens Square and the development of the Upper Town. Less well-known is the man who provided the raw...
View ArticleThe National Trust’s Bath Skyline Walk on BBC Radio 4
I thought you might enjoy a serendipitous collaboration between the BBC and the National Trust. The National Trust has created a city skyline walk around Bath, and this week the BBC Radio 4 Programme...
View Article“In Trim Street Still….”
We know that Trim Street in Bath was the last place the Austen ladies- Jane,Cassandra and Mrs Austen- lived while they were in Bath because of the evidence from a letter sent by Mrs Austen to Mary her...
View ArticleWould you like to live at Number 4 Sydney Place, Bath?
This was of course the house to which Jane Austen and her parents first moved when they quitted the rectory at Steventon to move to Bath in 1801. The Austens rented the house which was opposite the...
View ArticleA Literary Map of England
A very dear Austrian friend bought this to my attention today, and I found it so fascinating, I thought you’d like to see it. This literary map was designed and made by Geoff Sawyers and is for sale...
View ArticleEighteenth Century Kitchen Gadgets
The BBC One programme, Bargain Hunt yesterday broadcast a small film about the Georgian Kitchen at Number One, Royal Crescent, Bath. This building was one of the grandest houses in the Crescent,...
View ArticleA Chance to Live at Number 4 Sydney Place,Bath?
As you are all aware, Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801-1806. Her first home in the city was one she shared with her parents, the Reverend and Mrs Austen and her sister, Cassandra. It was a fine...
View ArticleSedan Chairs in Bath…and other Georgian Treasures
Episode 25 of series 32 of the BBC’s Bargain Hunt programme included a section filmed at Number One, Royal Crescent which is a marvellous museum devoted to displaying and explaining the workings of a...
View ArticleAttending a Ball at an Assembly Room: Georgian Assembly Rooms, Part Two
The Upper Rooms in Bath were probably the most magnificent set of rooms in England and Wales. Situated in the fashionable, upper part of the town, they were and are, quite magnificent to behold. But...
View ArticleThe Master of Ceremonies: The Georgian Assembly Room, Part Four
We have seen in our previous post that an efficient, attentive Master of Ceremonies was essential to the smooth running of the large assemblies. Someone had to maintain control of the company,...
View ArticleThe White Hart…now in a slightly different place
You may recall that a few years ago I posted an article here about the White Hart Inn in Bath. This was a place Jane Austen knew, she mentioned it in her letters, and she even included it as a location...
View Article
More Pages to Explore .....