Historical Homes Walking Tour, Bath

Historical Homes Walking Tour (Self Guided), Bath

Apart from its Roman thermae, the city of Bath is renowned for its prominent residents who used to live here a long time ago. Their former dwellings – historical monuments in their own right – now offer a captivating glimpse into the city's glorious past.

Among the most famous of them, undoubtedly, is the Jane Austen Centre. This charming Georgian townhouse provides a fascinating look into the life and times of the renowned novelist Jane Austen, who called Bath home for a significant part of her life. Visitors can explore exhibits, period costumes, and even enjoy a cup of tea in the elegant Regency Tea Room.

Another notable historical location is the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Located in the former home of William Herschel, a renowned astronomer, this museum showcases his groundbreaking discoveries, including that of the planet Uranus.

Those with a taste for culinary history should definitely drop in at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House. This lovely 17th-century building is reputed to be the home of Sally Lunn, the inventor of the famous Sally Lunn Bun.

Marshal Wade's House, on the other hand, offers a glimpse into the military history of Bath. This grand Georgian house was once the residence of George Wade, the former Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the mid-18th century.

Bath's historical homes are fit to satisfy a diverse range of interests, from literary and military history to astronomical discoveries and culinary delights. Together, they provide an enriching journey through time whereby one can get an idea of how people used to live here, back in the day. If you find this idea good for highlighting your trip to Bath, then take this self-guided walk!
How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Historical Homes Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Historical Homes Walking Tour
Guide Location: England » Bath (See other walking tours in Bath)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 4
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Author: rose
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Jane Austen Centre
  • Herschel Museum of Astronomy
  • Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House
  • Marshal Wade's House
1
Jane Austen Centre

1) Jane Austen Centre (must see)

Nothing typifies Regency life in Bath so much as a classic Jane Austen novel. The world-renown author lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were set here. So it's no surprise that in Bath you will find the Jane Austen Centre. Nestled in a Georgian house near the imposing Bath Abbey, The Circus, and the Roman Baths, this museum aims to share the wonders of Austen's Georgian-era Bath with the world.

The Centre has actors in Regency costume to create an immersive experience. There is a carefully crafted, waxwork statue of Jane. The waxwork often surprises visitors as it stands at 5'8", quite tall for a Georgian lady. Forensic artists spent over three years creating the sculpture. There is only one likeness of Jane Austen; a portrait drawn by her sister, Cassandra. However, other family members criticized the portrait and felt it did not capture the true Jane Austen. See for yourself whether or not the sculpture matches your expectations. You'll also find a gift shop and a tea room operated by the Centre.

Why You Should Visit

Ardent Jane Austen fans will need no encouragement to stop at the Jane Austen Centre. But the Centre is designed as an immersive experience for the whole family, with guides in period costumes add to the charm. Learn about Bath's history, especially about Regency-era life and customs.

The building itself, part of a block on Gay Street, is an English Heritage Grade II listed building.

Tips

The Centre organizes Bath's Jane Austen Festival every year in September. The ten-day celebration features over 80 events, including a summer ball, a costumed promenade, and a masquerade ball.

Do not miss the Centre's Regency Tea Room, which has been awarded the Tea Guild's Award of Excellence. If you've visited the Centre, you get 10 percent off at the Tea Room.
2
Herschel Museum of Astronomy

2) Herschel Museum of Astronomy (must see)

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is located at 19 New King Street, the former home of astronomers William and Caroline Herschel. Situated on a quiet side street close to the bustling Seven Dials area of Bath, the Herschel Museum is housed entirely within a compact Georgian townhouse. The Herschels lived in the house for five years in the 18th century. In that short time, William Herschel discovered the planet of Uranus through a telescope that can be seen inside the museum. The museum houses a number of other historical artefacts, including many items of apparatus that the Herschels used to map the stars.

The museum is split over three floors within the house, with an ornamental garden attached, and a cinema within the vaults that shows documentaries on astronomical discoveries. There is a virtual tour available on the ground floor for wheelchair users. The museum’s patron is British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, and the site is managed by the Bath Preservation Trust. It is open on weekday afternoons until 5pm (except Wednesdays) and from 11am to 5pm on weekends. The museum closes for several weeks either side of the Christmas period, but is open throughout the rest of the year.
3
Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House

3) Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House

Inside one of the oldest houses in Bath, you will find some delectable treats. As the story goes, Sally Lunn was a French immigrant who arrived in Bath in 1680 and established this bakery. The house was built around 1482, but the masonry oven and other elements on the ground floor date from around 1137.

The lower level of the home hosts a museum where you can tour the original kitchen. The house still serves food based on their trademark recipe, the "Sally Lunn Bunn." In the evening, they serve fine English food, including some spectacular pies.

But all is not as it seems at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House. While the food is excellent, and the house is very old indeed, there is little historical evidence of one Sally Lunn, or Solange Lyon, as the story goes. The building was purchased in the 1930s by the enterprising Marie Byng-Johnson, who opened a tearoom and claimed to subsequently discover an "ancient document" that told Madamoiselle Lunn's story. The "Sally Lunn Bunn" moniker had already long been used to describe the sweet teacake throughout Britain.

Regardless of the details, Sally Lunn Bunns are an iconic Bath original. There's no better place in town to take tea, and there's no better accompaniment than the original teacake. Savory or sweet, with tea or coffee, you can't go wrong. Just don't forget the clotted cream.
4
Marshal Wade's House

4) Marshal Wade's House

Marshal Wade's House at 14 Abbey Church Yard, was built around 1700 and has been designated as a Grade I listed building. The building was originally attributed to Lord Burlington and was thought to have been built in 1730. However, it is now believed to have been an earlier construction, built for George Wade who was a Field Marshal and served as a British military commander and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, as well as a Member of Parliament for Bath from 1722 to 1747.

The Palladian nature of the architecture is emphasised by the 5 fluted Ionic pilasters on the 1st and 2nd floors. The shop on the ground floor was an early 19th century development which is now occupied by the National Trust. The house was acquired by the Landmark Trust in 1975, who have carried out a renovation and now let out the property.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Walking Tours in Bath, England

Create Your Own Walk in Bath

Create Your Own Walk in Bath

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bath is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bath Introduction Walking Tour

Bath Introduction Walking Tour

The only English city designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is a gorgeous city packed with history. Artifacts have been found from the Bronze and Iron Age in the surrounding hills. The Romans were the first to build around the remarkable hot mineral springs at the beginning of the first century. They constructed a temple and baths here, and since then, people have flocked to Bath for its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Jane Austen Walking Tour

Jane Austen Walking Tour

Jane Austen, 1775-1817, was a renowned British author. Her groundbreaking novels offer a witty and humorous look at Regency-era life. Austen's six novels have since inspired many popular TV adaptations and films.

Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were set in this beautiful Georgian city. While interiors have certainly been...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Georgian Architecture Walking Tour

Georgian Architecture Walking Tour

Another prominent attraction of Bath is its wonderful Georgian architecture. Many a street and square here are richly adorned with distinctively stylish buildings. In large part, the city owes it to two architects – father and son: John Wood, the Elder, and John Wood, the Younger. Constructed mostly from Bath Stone, a creamy limestone obtained in Combe Down and Bathampton Down Miles, these...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles