TV series and movies made from Jane Austen's books, like the BBC TV series of Pride and Prejudice, are as popular as ever. That BBC series, in which Colin Firth as Mr Darcy created a stir among female viewers with his wet-shirt swim in a lake, was made way back in 1995. It is still in great demand, however, and was re-released as a Blu-Ray DVD in 2009. Now an English tour company has been set up to offer holidays which visit (and perhaps even stay in) some of the film locations that featured in the show.
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen Movie Tours
P and P Tours specialises in Jane Austen movie tours, with other film location tours too. These include a tour combining the Victorian Farm TV series with locations from the movie Atonement, and other tours featuring the adaptations of Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion.
These 'behind the scenes' tours really do take guests to see behind the scenes, as P and P tour groups are given access to places normally closed to the general public. The people behind P and P Tours are Helen Wilkinson, who is a Jane Austen tour expert, and Maddy Hall, who has become an authority on the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
Pride and Prejudice Locations
Places visited on the Pride and Prejudice tours include Meryton village and Meryton Assembly Rooms, the Bell at Bromley, Longbourn and the church, Netherfield and Darcy’s London (which wasn't of course filmed in London), Hunsford Parsonage, Rosings, Pemberley Interior and Exterior, Lambton, and Lizzie’s Derbyshire. Guests can opt to upgrade to stay in the actual filming locations used in the BBC production, including Lizzie's bedroom.
Pride and Prejudice Tours: Practicalities
The Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen film location tours begin at 9.30am on the first day at Bath train station. Bath, of course, has many Jane Austen connections: see for example the Ten Best Things to Do in Bath. The tours end at Manchester Piccadilly train station on the fourth day at 4.30pm. P and P Tours can help book accommodation at either end, if extra days are required. There are regular trains between Bath and Manchester, and numerous direct trains from London to both Bath and Manchester. Bristol Airport is also convenient for the start of the tours in Bath, with an international airport in Manchester too.
The 4-Day Pride and Prejudice tours run from May to September on selected dates only, with prices starting at £399. Tours in 2011 will follow a similar schedule. P and P Tours organises other Jane Austen and film-related tours and special events, such as:
- Afternoon tea with Mrs Bennet at Longbourn, and a full tour
- Supper on Mr Bennet’s Manor with card games, book readings, and a full tour
- Tours of Bath in Jane Austen's footsteps
The cost includes:
- air-conditioned coach transport with soft or hot drinks on board
- an expert tour guide
- b&b accommodation in either a luxury hotel or a guesthouse of special interest
- all admission charges
- some meals and welcome coffee and cakes
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Pride and Prejudice Tours: Contact Details
Tel: +44 (0)1743 718314
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See Also
Atonement and Victorian Farm Movie Location Tours
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Other Bath/Jane Austen Links
Find the Best Things to Do in Bath in 2010
Ten Budget Travel Tips for Bath
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Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
