Jane Austen : Somerset

A literary tour of Somerset offers wonderful diversity in both scenery and subject matter. But if there's one constant in the region it's an almost overwhelming abundance of natural beauty.

Guide 8 of 8

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Somerset

While Jane Austen's novels are often regarded as criticism of sensibility (yes, especially that one), you probably won't be able to detach your emotions when confronted by the beauty of Somerset. In fact if the author could witness your reaction to the rolling hills, deep gorges, open expanses and flowing rivers of the region, she might well make you the subject of one of her novels. And although Austen passed in 1817, her timeless ability to capture the lay of the land, not to mention the region's own well preserved heritage, allows you to really explore Somerset through the author's eyes

• Find cottages in Somerset
• There are hundreds of cottages throughout Somerset
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• Download a FREE Audiobook TODAY!
• Choose from over 40,000 audiobooks. Ideal for that long car journey to a cottage holiday. Transferrable to many SatNav units, MP3 players including the iPod, and mobile phones. www.audible.co.uk/cottages4u

Top spots: where did the authors find inspiration?

• Jane Austen Centre, Bath
  Museum and visitors' centre dedicated to the author.
  visit location in our maps >>
• Cheddar Gorge
  The caves inspired Helm's Deep in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
  visit location in our maps >>
• The Pump Room, Bath
  The famous spa was a cornerstone of healthy living in 18th century Somerset and once treated Jane Austen's brother.
  visit location in our maps >>
• Jane Austen audio tour, Bath
  Free downloadable map and mp3 tour of Austen's city.
  visit location in our maps >>
• Coleridge Cottage, Quantock Hills
  Samuel Taylor Coleridge's former home, now owned by the National Trust.
  visit location in our maps >>

• Wheelbrook Cottage : Laverton
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• Sleeps 4
• This charming detached holiday cottage is situated in the sleepy hamlet of Laverton.
• More details>

• The Coach House : nr. Bath
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• Sleeps 2-4
• A charming 17th-century coach-house situated on the edge of the village.
• More details>

• Silver Birch Cottage
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• Sleeps 2-4
• This honey-coloured holiday cottage is on the outskirts of the market town.
• More details>

• Sheepfair Cottage : Marshfield
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• Sleeps 3-5
• This stone cottage nestles on the edge of a traditional Cotswold village.
• More details>

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  Play Sample
• Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice
  Pride encounters prejudice, upward-mobility confronts social disdain, and quick-wittedness challenges sagacity, as misconceptions and hasty judgements lead to heartache and scandal, but eventually to true understanding, self-knowledge, and love.
• Get Audio book >

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• Somerset Cider Handbook:
  The first comprehensive guide to Cider producers in Somerset. With features on 37 current producers in the county.
• For enthusiasts or tourists the book tells you what there is to buy and what there is to see, where and when.
• Plus articles on the heritage of Somerset cider and touching on some of the key issues cider faces today
• Find out more >

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• Adventurous Pub Walks in Somerset
  This work presents twenty circular walks varying in length between seven and twelve miles based around good local pubs. It includes routes on Exmoor and near Glastonbury, Bridgwater and Taunton, along with maps and photographs.
• Find out more >

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• Glastonbury: Myth and Archaeology
  Glastonbury is a familiar name to many. However, its fame lies not simply in its renowned music festival, but in its legendary associations with King Arthur and Joseph of Arimatehea, whose staff was supposed to have grown into the Glastonbury Thorn. In this comprehensive survey, Philip Rahtz and Lorna Watts use Glastonbury's rich archaeological evidence provided by the lake villages, prehistoric tracks, Abbey and Tor to explain how myth and history are woven together, and attempt to disentangle legend from truth.
• Find out more >

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• Somerset the Glorious County:
  Somerset has it all - glorious coast, peaceful countryside,majestic cities like Bath andWells with their worldfamous architecture, and villages and country towns which evoke the spirit of a timeless England.
• Tony Howell is an internationally-renowned landscape photographer, based in Somerset, whose style is instantly recognizable for its simple compositions and sense of peace and stillness. Through an unrivalled collection of superb colour images, he records star-studded skies and morning mists, the changing light and friendly charm of his home county.
• Find out more >

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• Portrait of the Quantock Hills:
  This collection of over 140 superbly composed photographs depicts one of England's little gems. Although recognized nationally for its natural beauty, never before has such a varied and intimate portrait of the hills been assembled.
• Find out more >