When I first approached the Georgian townhouse at 40 Gay Street, what struck me wasn’t its grandeur but its ordinariness. This Grade II listed building looks like any other on this elegant Bath street — and that’s rather the point. Jane Austen herself lived just a few doors up this road in 1805, making this one of the most authentic locations to explore her connection to the city.
To skip the explanation and just buy Jane Austen Centre tickets, head here.
Quick overview
How much does the Jane Austen Centre cost? Adult tickets cost £17.00 when booked online, with concessions at £15.50 for students and over-60s. A family ticket for two adults and up to four children is £39.00, representing decent value for larger groups. Children under 6 enter free with a paying adult. The exhibition includes a costumed presentation, self-guided tour, and the chance to dress up in Regency costume — though the famous waxwork and period clothing are replicas rather than authentic artefacts.
The Centre operates varied seasonal hours. During winter (3 November to 4 April), it opens Sunday to Friday 10am–4:30pm and Saturday 10am–5:30pm. Last entry is one hour before closing, which caught me off guard when I arrived at 4pm on a Tuesday. Pre-booking is highly recommended, particularly during school holidays and the annual Jane Austen Festival in September.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £17.00 adults, £15.50 concessions, £9.50 children, £39 families | Varies by season — winter: Sun-Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat 10am-5:30pm | 40 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT | Children under 6 | 1 hour before closing |
How much does the Jane Austen Centre cost?
The pricing structure is straightforward, though Bath Discovery Card holders receive 15% off admission tickets.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £17.00 | Ages 18+ |
| Concession | £15.50 | Students and over-60s with ID |
| Child | £9.50 | Ages 6–17 |
| Family | £39.00 | 2 adults and up to 4 children |
| Under 6 | Free | With paying adult |
Audio guides are not offered — instead, costumed guides provide a live presentation at the start and remain on hand throughout the exhibition. The ticket price includes access to the exhibition, the introductory talk, costume try-on areas, and interactive displays. The Regency Tea Room on the second floor operates separately with its own menu and pricing, though Centre visitors receive 10% off.
Bath Discovery Card holders also receive 10% off in the Tea Room. This card is worth considering if you’re planning to visit multiple Bath attractions during your stay.
What time does the Jane Austen Centre open?
Opening hours vary considerably by season, which can be frustrating if you don’t check in advance.
Spring (5 April–30 June): Daily 9:45am–5:30pm
Summer (1 July–21 September): Daily 9:45am–6:00pm
Autumn (22 September–2 November): Daily 10am–5:30pm
Winter (3 November–4 April): Sunday–Friday 10am–4:30pm, Saturday 10am–5:30pm
Last entry to the exhibition is always one hour before closing time. This means you’ll need to arrive by 3:30pm on a winter weekday to gain admission. The Centre is open on bank holidays with the same hours as the corresponding season.
Do I need to book Jane Austen Centre tickets in advance?
Pre-booking is strongly recommended, particularly during busy periods. When I checked availability for a Saturday in August, same-day tickets were sold out by mid-morning. The Centre is popular with tour groups, and capacity is limited by the building’s historic layout.
You can book online. Tickets are emailed to you — simply show the confirmation to staff upon arrival.
During quieter periods like weekday mornings in winter, walk-up tickets are usually available. However, the September Jane Austen Festival brings thousands of visitors to Bath, and the Centre becomes exceptionally busy during this ten-day celebration.
Parking
On-site parking: None. The Centre is located on a narrow Georgian street with no dedicated parking facilities.
Charlotte Street Car Park (5 minutes’ walk): This is the nearest multi-storey car park, located 100 metres west of Queen Square. It offers long-stay parking only with 1,056 spaces including 26 disabled bays charged at standard rates. The car park operates 24 hours daily, though pricing varies based on vehicle emissions under Bath’s Clean Air Zone regulations. Payment is via the MiPermit app, correct change, or card at selected machines. Expect to pay approximately £1.50–£3.00 per hour with capped daily rates available.
Park & Ride: For a less stressful option, use one of Bath’s Park & Ride services. Buses run regularly into the city centre, and you’ll avoid both parking hassles and Clean Air Zone charges.
History
Jane Austen lived in Bath, Somerset, from 1801 to 1806, a period she initially approached with trepidation. When her father announced the family’s move from rural Hampshire, legend has it that Jane fainted. Bath was a thriving spa resort during the Regency era, renowned for its healing waters and fashionable society. The city’s grand Georgian architecture — the Royal Crescent, the Circus, the Assembly Rooms — provided the backdrop for the social whirl that Austen both observed and satirised in her novels.
Two of Austen’s six published novels are set in Bath: Northanger Abbey, which parodies Gothic fiction whilst depicting the marriage market of the resort town, and Persuasion, her final completed work, which portrays Bath with a more melancholic eye. The Austen family moved several times during their Bath years, living at various addresses including 4 Sydney Place, 27 Green Park Buildings, 25 Gay Street, and Trim Street.
The Jane Austen Centre itself opened in 2001, located in a Georgian townhouse on Gay Street — just a few doors from where Austen herself briefly resided. The Centre was established to celebrate Bath’s connection to its most famous literary resident and to explore how the city influenced her writing. It has since become one of Bath’s most popular literary attractions.
The Centre also organises the annual Jane Austen Festival, which launched the same year and has grown into a ten-day celebration drawing over 5,000 visitors from around the world. Since 2004, the festival’s Grand Regency Costumed Promenade has held the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed in Regency costume, with over 900 participants filling Bath’s streets with bonnets and redcoats.
Inside the Jane Austen Centre
Your visit begins with a presentation from a costumed guide — typically dressed as a character from one of Austen’s novels — who provides a 20-minute introduction to Jane’s life and her time in Bath. This theatrical approach divides visitors: some find it charming and informative, whilst others consider it slightly over-rehearsed. The guide covers Austen’s family background, her moves around Bath, and the social customs of Regency society.
After the introduction, you’re free to explore the self-guided exhibition at your own pace. The displays include replica Regency costumes, maps of Austen’s Bath, information panels about her novels, and interactive elements like quill pens for writing. There’s a costume try-on area where you can don bonnets, spencer jackets, and Regency dresses for photographs — a popular feature, particularly with younger visitors.
The Centre’s most photographed attraction is the life-size waxwork of Jane Austen, which stands an unexpected 5’8″ tall (quite tall for a Georgian woman). Forensic artists spent over three years creating the sculpture based on the only authenticated portrait of Austen — a sketch by her sister Cassandra that family members deemed unflattering. Whether the waxwork captures the “real” Jane is debatable, but it makes for a memorable photo opportunity with “Mr Darcy” cutouts.
Honest assessment: this is primarily a celebration of Austen’s connection to Bath rather than a museum of authentic artefacts. Most exhibits are replicas, though there are some genuine autographs and letters on display. The emphasis is on interactivity and atmosphere rather than historical scholarship.
What’s included with your ticket?
- 20-minute costumed presentation on Jane Austen’s life and Bath connections
- Self-guided exhibition exploring Regency Bath and Austen’s novels
- Costume try-on area with Regency bonnets, dresses, and accessories
- Opportunity to write with quill pen and ink
- Photo opportunity with the Jane Austen waxwork
- Sample of period-recipe food
- Interactive games and activities from the Regency era
- Ground floor gift shop access
- 10% discount in the Regency Tea Room (separate charges apply)
- Self-guided walking tour booklet of Jane Austen’s Bath locations
Things to do near the Jane Austen Centre
The Circus (2 minutes’ walk) — One of Bath’s most iconic Georgian architectural features, this perfectly circular arrangement of three terraces was built between 1754 and 1756. Free to view from the street, and Jane Austen’s friends lived at No. 11. Walk around the central area to appreciate John Wood the Elder’s intricate design.
Royal Crescent (7 minutes’ walk) — Bath’s most photographed landmark, this sweeping crescent of 30 terraced houses was built 1767–1775. The architectural marvel appears in numerous period dramas. You can visit No. 1 Royal Crescent, a museum recreating Georgian townhouse life, or simply stroll the elegant curve for free.
Assembly Rooms (5 minutes’ walk, 8 minutes driving from Charlotte Street Car Park) — Where Regency society came to socialise, dance, and see-and-be-seen. Featured prominently in Northanger Abbey and open for visits (often free, check current status). The chandelier installation dates to the late 18th century, the same era when Austen would have attended events here.
Roman Baths (8 minutes’ walk) — Bath’s premier attraction showcases 2,000-year-old bathing complex built around natural hot springs. Jane Austen actually visited these baths, making them historically authentic to her experience — unlike some Centre exhibits.
Fashion Museum (5 minutes’ walk, adjacent to Assembly Rooms) — Houses world-class collection of historic and contemporary clothing including Regency-era garments. Provides excellent context for understanding the fashions depicted in Austen’s novels and worn by Centre guides.
Practical tips
Location: Central Bath, on Gay Street between Queen Square and The Circus. The area is compact and entirely walkable — most Jane Austen sites are within 10 minutes on foot.
Getting there: Bath Spa railway station is 12 minutes’ walk. Frequent trains run from London Paddington (90 minutes). Multiple bus routes serve the city centre, and the Park & Ride offers convenient access for drivers.
Time needed: Most visitors spend 60–90 minutes. Factor in extra time if you’re planning afternoon tea in the Regency Tea Room (reservations recommended).
Photography: Permitted throughout the Centre. The waxwork area and costume try-on sections are designed for photos.
Dress code: None. Regency costumes are available to try on regardless of what you’re wearing.
Accessibility: The ground floor is wheelchair accessible via ramp. The exhibition space has ramp access. However, the Tea Room and talk room on upper floors are not accessible to wheelchair users — a significant limitation given the building’s historic nature.
Crowds: Busiest during school holidays, weekends, and the September Jane Austen Festival. Quietest on weekday mornings outside peak season.
Facilities: Toilets in basement (accessed via stairs). Gift shop on ground floor. Tea Room on second floor (separate booking, not accessible to wheelchair users).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jane Austen Centre in the actual house where she lived?
No. The Centre is located at 40 Gay Street, while Jane Austen briefly lived at No. 25 Gay Street in 1805. Her longest Bath residence was at 4 Sydney Place (1801–1804), now a hotel commemorated with a plaque. The Centre chose this location for its proximity to Austen’s former homes and its authentic Georgian architecture.
How long should I spend at the Centre?
The Centre recommends about one hour, though there’s no time limit. Most visitors spend 60–90 minutes including the presentation and exhibition. Budget additional time if you’re planning to visit the Tea Room or participate in a guided walking tour.
Can I visit just the Tea Room without buying Centre admission?
Yes. The Regency Tea Room operates independently with its own entrance, though you’ll receive a 10% discount if you’ve visited the exhibition. Afternoon tea costs approximately £30 per person and should be booked in advance.
Is there a discount for booking Centre admission and Tea Room together?
Not a formal package, but Centre visitors receive 10% off Tea Room purchases. The Bath Discovery Card offers 15% off Centre admission and 10% off the Tea Room.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
The annual Jane Austen Festival (11–20 September 2026) creates a unique atmosphere with costumed events throughout Bath, though the Centre becomes exceptionally busy. For quieter visits, weekday mornings in spring or autumn offer pleasant weather without peak crowds.
Are there combination tickets with other Bath attractions?
No official combination tickets exist, despite Bath having several attractions within walking distance. The Bath Discovery Card offers discounts across multiple sites including 15% off Centre admission.
Is parking difficult in Bath?
Yes. Central Bath has limited parking, one-way streets, and a Clean Air Zone. Charlotte Street Car Park is closest (5 minutes’ walk) but fills quickly on Saturdays. The Park & Ride services offer a less stressful alternative.
Can I take photos with the Jane Austen waxwork?
Absolutely — it’s one of the Centre’s main attractions and specifically designed for photographs. Mr Darcy cutouts are also available for photos, along with the costume try-on area.
