Hello readers,
Some of you know I had been dreaming of a Jane Austen themed holiday for quite some time. Well I finally managed to make it happen, with help from family and friends, which made it even more special.
Here is a recap of our journey, hoping it might be useful should you feel inspired by our tour.
We didn't manage to fit everything in.... Derbyshire... Southampton... Lyme Regis .. so there are a few places left to visit for another JA tour in the future : )
Day 1 - STONEHENGE AND BATH
Pre-booked our tickets the night before, so claimed our passes and went in the museum, then got on the shuttle bus to the site. (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/)
When visiting the site we took some photos following the instructions which were placed round the henge. Then we enjoyed an ice cream from the van which was strategically placed nearby, before walking back to the car park along the mysterious ancient path in the field (about a 20 minute walk).
Drove Stonehenge to Bath, arriving from the hills and stopped to look at the view from here.
Parked the car in Avon Street car park and walked to the hotel.
Stayed at the Travelodge Bath Center.
Dinner at The Raven (very good Ploughman's lunch and pies, also great Ale) and then wend for a short walk round town center to get our bearings.
Day 2 - BATH
Breakfast at The Cornish Bakery opposite The Pump Room, which is featured in Bridgerton, and with a view of the Cathedral facade.
Visit to the Roman Baths (allow 2 hours): https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/
Met up with friends at the Museum gift shop.
Walked to The Abbey Deli which is used as the front of 'The Modiste', the French seamstress in the series Bridgerton.
Lunch at Sally Lunns - recommended meal is a savoury bunn followed by a sweet one (we shared) https://www.sallylunns.co.uk/
Afternoon walking tour to the Circus and the Crescent.
Ice cream in the park in front of the Crescent.
Went to Jane Austen Center and had guided visit, plus dressing up and writing with ink pen.
Dads and Kids went to the playground.
Dinner - Pizza at The Oven.
Evening: Walk around town across Pulteney Bridge, inspired by Palladian architecture, along Great Pultney street, to see the front of The Holburne Museum which is used as the setting for Lady Danbury's house in Bridgerton.
Walked over the other Bridge and took great night photos of Pulteney Bridge from North Parade Bridge.
Day 3 - BATH AND COTSWOLDS
Breakfast at The Cornish Bakery again.
Walked round town to do window shopping went to buy stationary in Waterstones.
Checked out of hotel and drove to Castle Combe, where they filmed War Horse.
Visited the village Church which had pannels about the way the village has been used as a set over the years.
Had pub lunch in The White Hart (jacket potatoes and ploughman's lunch).
Bought a take away carrot cake and flap jacks from Ellen's Cottage (you leave the money in a kitty outside the door).
Drove to Kelmscott and checked into the Plough Inn.
Dinner at French Restaurant Fleur del Lys in Bampton.
Day 4 - KELMSCOTT TO LECHLADE
Had fantastic breakfast at the Plough Inn.
Thames walk from Kelmscott towards Lechlade. Arrived at the Trout Inn, and had pub lunch.
Walked over the bridge to see Old Father Thames statue, made by Italian sculptor Raffaele Monti, next to St John's lock.
Spent the afternoon reading and painting in the pub garden.
Dinner at The Five Alls pub restaurant in Filkins.
Day 5 - BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER AND DIDDLY SQUAT FARM.
Breakfast at the Inn, the log fire had been lit because it was quite cold.
Hoped to visit Kelmscott Manor, where William Morris lived with his wife and for some time with painter Rossetti, but it was only open Friday to Sunday (prebooked visits on Thursday, see website).
Got take away cinnamon buns, as recommended by friends, from Blakes kitchen at Clanfield.
Visited beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water and had take away coffee (to go with our cinnamon buns) from the Bourton Riverside Café.
Bought pretty souvenirs from Hartwells.
Would have been great to visit Cotswolds Motoring Museum and Toy Collection as well as Birdland Parks and Gardens but unfortunately didn't have time.
Drove to Diddly Squat Farm, near Chipping Norton. Had a drink and bought a mug from the pop up gift shop.
Day 6 - WINCHESTER AND CHAWTON
Day trip to Winchester.
Parked in Tower Street multi-storey car park.
Walked along the High Street which was filled with market stalls and had buskers singing and playing music creating a beautiful atmosphere.
Bought a take away coffee and drinks from Starbucks on the High Street.
Walked to Cathedral grounds, past Jane Austen's last home, past Winchester College, and along the Weirs. Look out for Vincenzo's ice cream van. Walked back up via the High Street past King Alfred's statue and bought a Pret-à-manger pic nic which we had in the Cathedral grounds (always pack a pic nic rug : ).
Visited Winchester Cathedral (allow 1 hour for very good guided tour).
Drove to Chawton and visited Jane Austen House, where JA lived between 1809 and 1817. Allow about one hour and extra time for the gift shop : )
Had a very good lemonade in The Greyfriar pub, which has a very pretty garden.
Unfortunately Cassandra's Cup tea room had just closed, but would definitely be worth going back for (Cassandra being the name of Jane's only sister and best friend).
Drove to Basingstoke and had fish and chips with friends, followed by home made cheesecake.
Useful links:
https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/
https://www.austenheritage.com/
