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Walking Jane Austen’s London
Top 5 Austen-inspired Nonfiction Book of the Year - Austenprose.com
The London of Jane Austen's world and imagination comes to life in this themed guidebook of nine walking tours from well-known landmarks to hidden treasures--each evoking the time and culture of Regency England which so influenced Austen's wise perspective and astute insight in novels such as Pride and Prejudice. Extensively illustrated with full-color photographs and maps these walks will delight tourists and armchair travelers as they discover eighteenth-century chop houses, elegant squares, sinister prisons, bustling city streets and exclusive gentlemen's clubs among innumerable other Austen-esque delights.
During Jane Austen's time, 1775 - 1817, London was a flourishing city with fine streets, fashionable squares and a thriving port which brought in good from around the globe. Much of this London still remains, the great buildings, elegant streets, parks, but much has changed. This tour allows the reader to take it all in, noting what Jane may have experienced while citing modern improvements such as street lighting and privies!
The London of Jane Austen's world and imagination comes to life in this themed guidebook of nine walking tours from well-known landmarks to hidden treasures--each evoking the time and culture of Regency England which so influenced Austen's wise perspective and astute insight in novels such as Pride and Prejudice. Extensively illustrated with full-color photographs and maps these walks will delight tourists and armchair travelers as they discover eighteenth-century chop houses, elegant squares, sinister prisons, bustling city streets and exclusive gentlemen's clubs among innumerable other Austen-esque delights.
During Jane Austen's time, 1775 - 1817, London was a flourishing city with fine streets, fashionable squares and a thriving port which brought in good from around the globe. Much of this London still remains, the great buildings, elegant streets, parks, but much has changed. This tour allows the reader to take it all in, noting what Jane may have experienced while citing modern improvements such as street lighting and privies!
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Louise Allen
413 books335 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 11, 2014
I bought this book to prepare for a month-long trip to London later this year, and wish I'd had it on my last trip. Even though many of the places are no longer there, such as Almack's, it's still a great guide for anyone who loves Jane Austen and the Regency period. Each walk is about 2 miles long and includes so much great information about places to visit in that particular area. I plan to take the digital version with me on my iPad.
January 19, 2022
In preparation for a trip to London, I read this book multiple times. On my trip, it was invaluable.
Louise Allen has grouped the walks into easily navigable experiences, complete with maps, and stopping points of interest to Regency enthusiasts. Besides her descriptions of each site, she adds history and anecdotes of the place and Jane Austen’s time there or that of her novel’s characters.
Allen lists 8 walks through Regency London, each with a starting location and distance.
For example, Walk 2 explains the use of Bond Street in Sense and Sensibility.
"In Sense and Sensibility, Marianne, miserable over Willoughby, is a poor companion on a shopping trip:
"‘In Bond-street especially, where much of their business lay, her eyes were in constant inquiry; and in whatever shop the party were engaged, her mind was equally abstracted . . . ‘
"Willoughby is lodging in Bond Street when he writes to Marianne, protesting that he had never intended to court her as his affections were already engaged elsewhere.
"The street was full of hotels, lodgings and eating places as well as shops. Steven’s and Long’s hotels were both favourites of the ton, as members of fashionable Society were known. Byron and Scott patronized Lon’s dining room and Steven’s attracted aristocratic army officers."
In Walk 7, there is an excerpt of a letter from Jane to Cassandra about attending a play at the Lyceum:
"We did go to the play after all on Saturday, we went to the Lyceum, & saw the Hypocrite, an old play taken from Molière’s Tartuffe, & were well entertained. Dowton & Matthews were the good actors. . . . I have no chance of seeing Mrs. Siddons. . . . I should particularly have liked seeing her in Constance, & could swear at her with little effort for disappointing me."
Beautifully illustrated with modern photographs as well as historic renditions, paintings, and comic illustrations, this guide book connects the reader with Jane Austen and her London.
Louise Allen has grouped the walks into easily navigable experiences, complete with maps, and stopping points of interest to Regency enthusiasts. Besides her descriptions of each site, she adds history and anecdotes of the place and Jane Austen’s time there or that of her novel’s characters.
Allen lists 8 walks through Regency London, each with a starting location and distance.
For example, Walk 2 explains the use of Bond Street in Sense and Sensibility.
"In Sense and Sensibility, Marianne, miserable over Willoughby, is a poor companion on a shopping trip:
"‘In Bond-street especially, where much of their business lay, her eyes were in constant inquiry; and in whatever shop the party were engaged, her mind was equally abstracted . . . ‘
"Willoughby is lodging in Bond Street when he writes to Marianne, protesting that he had never intended to court her as his affections were already engaged elsewhere.
"The street was full of hotels, lodgings and eating places as well as shops. Steven’s and Long’s hotels were both favourites of the ton, as members of fashionable Society were known. Byron and Scott patronized Lon’s dining room and Steven’s attracted aristocratic army officers."
In Walk 7, there is an excerpt of a letter from Jane to Cassandra about attending a play at the Lyceum:
"We did go to the play after all on Saturday, we went to the Lyceum, & saw the Hypocrite, an old play taken from Molière’s Tartuffe, & were well entertained. Dowton & Matthews were the good actors. . . . I have no chance of seeing Mrs. Siddons. . . . I should particularly have liked seeing her in Constance, & could swear at her with little effort for disappointing me."
Beautifully illustrated with modern photographs as well as historic renditions, paintings, and comic illustrations, this guide book connects the reader with Jane Austen and her London.
September 11, 2026
Walking Jane Austen’s London offers eight walks that explore the history of London as well as Austen’s experiences with the city. The walks are
Walk 1: Sloane Street to Kensington Palace Gardens
Walk 2: Marylebone and Bond Street
Walk 3: Mayfair
Walk 4: Leicester Square to Green Park
Walk 5: Soho to the British Museum
Walk 6: Westminster to Charing Cross
Walk 7: Somerset House to Lincoln’s Inn Fields
Walk 8: Temple Bar to London Bridge
Each of the walks is a chapter in the book, and each chapter includes historical details, information on Austen’s (or her characters’) connection to sites within the walk, and directions for and a map of the walk. The author includes information from Austen’s letters, contemporary accounts, and drawings and photographs.
The walks are around two miles, and the notes highlight relevant attractions, like the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey.
I read this in e-book form (checked out from my local library), and if I have a critique of book, it’s that formatting could be improved within the chapters through the use of headings and better distinguishing the directions for the walk from the other historical details provided. Having said that, this book offers an informative walk though London, whether you’re visiting London or reading from a chair (and indulging in a bit of daydreaming).
Walk 1: Sloane Street to Kensington Palace Gardens
Walk 2: Marylebone and Bond Street
Walk 3: Mayfair
Walk 4: Leicester Square to Green Park
Walk 5: Soho to the British Museum
Walk 6: Westminster to Charing Cross
Walk 7: Somerset House to Lincoln’s Inn Fields
Walk 8: Temple Bar to London Bridge
Each of the walks is a chapter in the book, and each chapter includes historical details, information on Austen’s (or her characters’) connection to sites within the walk, and directions for and a map of the walk. The author includes information from Austen’s letters, contemporary accounts, and drawings and photographs.
The walks are around two miles, and the notes highlight relevant attractions, like the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey.
I read this in e-book form (checked out from my local library), and if I have a critique of book, it’s that formatting could be improved within the chapters through the use of headings and better distinguishing the directions for the walk from the other historical details provided. Having said that, this book offers an informative walk though London, whether you’re visiting London or reading from a chair (and indulging in a bit of daydreaming).
April 2, 2019
I bought the paperback and I'm delighted with it. I have been to London before but just did the touristy sites. Now that I am more interested in the Regency era I want to walk and see the sites I read about in my favorite romances and write about in my own books. There are at least 3 walks I want to try when I'm in the city. There is a lot of historical info on the historical sites and some wonderful pictures.
June 25, 2018
Excellent book.
August 20, 2019
I would have liked this book if I could actually walk the ruotes while reading this book. It is a good London Guide for Austen fans.
February 25, 2021
Enjoy this book now I might just buy it sometime cause I borrow from the library .🙂📚📖
January 24, 2024
Good for tourists and those who wish to connect Jane Austen's life and works with specific locations. The Kindle edition is not terribly convenient - the maps are barely readable.
April 21, 2014
My Anglophilia is deeply rooted first and foremost in English literature (then English history, the BBC and Brit Pop, and no one has inspired this great admiration more than Jane Austen. It was Austen who introduced me to this wholly different world, who described in exquisite detail the ways and means of 19th century English society and transported me to Regency England where, if not for the lack of proper plumbing, I would really have loved to live. So, when I stumbled upon this Kindle book version in my library's digital collection, I quickly borrowed it hoping to tread in Austen's footsteps when I meander through London this Fall.
Now, I know Jane Austen didn't even really live in London and most of her books are only partially set there, but this book traces her biographical connection to the city, especially regarding her visits to her brother, Henry, who did live and work in many places there. In that regard, this book is very helpful. This book has maps of where Jane Austen would've gone to where Elizabeth Bennet's Aunt Gardiner would've lived or where the Dashwood sisters would've stayed when they visited the city. It breaks down each walking tour by neighborhood and even tells you how long of a walk it is projected to be.
Louise Allen wrote a fairly straightforward walking guide, though it seemed to end abruptly with no ending notes. The only other downside to the Kindle edition is that the maps don't quite work to advantage. I skipped those pages entirely as they were useless when they're broken up the way they were. I'm sure there's no such problem in the book version. This is a good read for a Janeite, and even more valuable for a Janeite who plans to traverse London's streets in the future.
Now, I know Jane Austen didn't even really live in London and most of her books are only partially set there, but this book traces her biographical connection to the city, especially regarding her visits to her brother, Henry, who did live and work in many places there. In that regard, this book is very helpful. This book has maps of where Jane Austen would've gone to where Elizabeth Bennet's Aunt Gardiner would've lived or where the Dashwood sisters would've stayed when they visited the city. It breaks down each walking tour by neighborhood and even tells you how long of a walk it is projected to be.
Louise Allen wrote a fairly straightforward walking guide, though it seemed to end abruptly with no ending notes. The only other downside to the Kindle edition is that the maps don't quite work to advantage. I skipped those pages entirely as they were useless when they're broken up the way they were. I'm sure there's no such problem in the book version. This is a good read for a Janeite, and even more valuable for a Janeite who plans to traverse London's streets in the future.
July 15, 2015
This book is for anyone who love's Jane Austin, and Georgette Heyer's romances ( or any other Regency/Georgian writer). Puts the places in London into perspective. I personally thought it was a really cool, interesting book.
December 28, 2013
I used this book when I was in London and it had some great walks.
December 9, 2014
My review for Austenprose.com:
http://austenprose.com/2013/07/31/wal...
http://austenprose.com/2013/07/31/wal...
January 4, 2015
I must go back to London.
January 24, 2015
I used the maps to walk around Mayfair - it worked out perfectly !!!
January 1, 2016
We had a great time on the Mayfair walk, and I look forward to completing more next time I return to London!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews