Way Makers: An Anthology of Women’s Writing About Walking edited by Kerri Andrews/Reaktion Books (2023)

Despite being one of Bath’s most famous residents Jane Austen may seem an unlikely inclusion in this series but thanks to Kerri Andrew’s recent anthology of women’s writing about walking we have these 2 brief excerpts from her letters about walks in and around Bath in May 1801 (as well as extracts from two of her novels). After all she would not have used a carriage all the time and there were no electric scooters.

Letter from Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen:

1. 21st-22nd May 1801

Our grand walk to Weston was again fixed for Yesterday, & was accomplished in a very striking manner; Everyone of the party declined it under some pretence or other except our two selves (a Mrs Chamberlayne and Jane Austen), & we had therefore a tete a tete; but that we should equally have had after the first two Yards, had half the inhabitants of Bath set off with us. It would have amused you to see our progress; we went up by Sion Hill & returned across the fields – in climbing a hill Mrs Chamberlayne is very capital; I could with difficulty keep pace with her - yet would not flinch for the World. - on plain ground I was quite her equal – and so we posted away under a fine hot sun. She without any parasol or shade to her hat; stopping for nothing, crossing the Church Yard at Weston with as much expedition as if we were afraid of being buried alive. - After seeing what she is equal to, I cannot help feeling a regard for her.

2. 26-27th May 1801:

My adventures since I wrote to you these three days ago have been such as the time would easily contain; I walked yesterday morning with Mrs Chamberlayne to Lynecombe & Widcombe, and in the evening I drank tea with the Holders. - Mrs Chamberlayne’s pace was not quite so magnificent on this second trial as in the first; it was nothing more than I could keep up with, without effort; & and for many, many Yards together on a raised narrow footpath I led the way. – The Walk was very beautiful as my companion agreed, whenever I made the observation – And so ends our friendship (sic), for the Chamberlaynes leave Bath in a day or two.