Tea with Jane Austen: A 250th Anniversary Celebration at The Pump Room, Bath

Step back in time and celebrate 250 years of one of Britain’s most beloved authors with an afternoon tea steeped in Regency elegance. To mark the milestone anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Searcys at The Pump Room in Bath invites guests to indulge in a specially curated Jane Austen Afternoon Tea—a tribute to the literary icon and the timeless tradition of tea.

A Grand Regency Setting

Nestled beside the ancient Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, The Pump Room is a jewel of Georgian architecture. Built in the 1790s, the venue remains an icon of Bath society, where elegant chandeliers, original marble features, and sun-drenched interiors echo the glamour of the era. Immortalised in Austen’s own novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, the Pump Room was the place to see and be seen—a hub of gossip, grandeur, and genteel conversation.

 A Taste of Austen

The Jane Austen Afternoon Tea takes inspiration from Regency flavours, presenting a refined menu to satisfy even the most fastidious of society ladies. Expect:

• Cucumber, mint & sheep’s milk labneh finger sandwiches
• St Ewes salad bridge rolls
• Parmesan & pea croustades
• Homemade plain and fruit scones with West Country clotted cream and strawberry jam
• An array of delicate Pump Room pastries

For a touch of decadence, guests can opt to add Avruga caviar served on warm blinis with cream cheese and shallots, beautifully presented in glass and silver.

Teas, Tipples & A Touch of Tradition

Tea is served courtesy of Gillards of Bath, the city’s oldest tea merchant. Choose from:

• The Pump Room House Blend, crafted in 1888 and ideal for Bath’s hard water
• The Guv’nor’s Blend, a genteel mix of Assam and Darjeeling, once favoured by Georgian households
• You can even partake in the tradition of “taking the waters” with a glass from the King’s Fountain—a hot spring said to contain 43 minerals.

For something stronger, try The Darcy—a cocktail of Earl Grey tea and spiced rum, named after Austen’s most iconic romantic hero.

Searcys has also introduced the exclusive Pump Room Classic Cuvée, produced in collaboration with Greyfriars Vineyard. With notes of creamy pear, orchard fruits and a rich pastry finish, it’s the perfect companion to an afternoon of indulgence.

Adding an atmospheric soundtrack to the experience is the Pump Room Trio—Europe’s oldest resident musical ensemble. Founded in the 1700s by Bath’s original dandy, Beau Nash, the trio plays period music to complete the Regency experience.

Daniel Graham, General Manager at The Pump Room, shares:

“We’re celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen with an afternoon tea inspired by the elegance and sophistication of the Regency era. We invite guests to soak in the atmosphere, sip tea (or bubbly), and revel in the charm of Jane Austen’s Bath.”

Whether you’re a devoted Janeite or simply love an exquisite afternoon tea, this celebration promises a delightful journey into the past—one sip, one scone, and one page at a time.