The Jane Austen Centre is a museum and educational charity devoted to studying the life and works of Jane Austen, one of the most renowned novelists in English literature.

The Centre offers insight into what it would be like to exist in the Regency times, the styles of the day, their diet, community life, in fact, just about everything that would have incited Jane Austen’s timeless classics. The Centre additionally examines how the city of Bath impacted Jane Austen’s life and writing in much-loved books such as Persuasion and, of course, Northanger Abbey.

Classically furnished in a Georgian townhouse, the Centre was designed by architects Ian Ritchie Architects, who were also responsible for creating. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The main exhibition gallery is named after the novelist Jonny Geller, who donated £1.5 million to establish it in her name.

Exhibits at the Jane Austen Museum

In summary April 2013, the Centre opened with a permanent exhibition that highlights three areas: life and legacy, work and her time, as well as curated collections from around the world. In 2017, they also expanded their scope by hosting exhibits on contemporary female writers such as Gillian Flynn and Zadie Smith.

Previously the building was home to the author’s brother Edward Knight and his wife, Eliza. This is where she lived with her sister Cassandra from 1809 until her death in 1817. The house has been preserved as it would have been when Jane Austen lived there, with its gardens, rooms and artefacts reflecting 18th-century living.

Your very own Austen experience will begin with a friendly welcome talk from a competent and helpful staff member. Visitors can then explore the museum at their own pace through a series of self-guided tours, enjoy talks by actors portraying Jane Austen characters or take a guided tour of the house led by one of the guides. This museum is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about one of Britain’s most famous authors or those who would like to experience what it would be like to live in 19th century England.