extract from chapter 4
1801:Bath
Photo: Sydney Gardens, Bath
Experienced as they now were, Jane and her mother looked for all the obvious flaws as they went from room to room but could find none. On the contrary, the house had much to recommend it.
Its situation opposite Sydney Gardens meant that the trees and some pathways could be seen from the upper front windows. A little further along the road was the Sydney House Hotel, which promised no end of people-watching opportunities from the tall windows whenever they sat down.
Being a recently built property (less than ten years old), it also had the luxury of piped water. On certain days each week, water would be pumped into the house where it could be used straight from a tap or kept in storage for later. When Mr Austen enquired as to the nearby residents, he was informed that the street already housed a baronet and an army Major General.
Photo: Sydney Place, Bath.
The property was well-proportioned, too. There were four rooms on each floor, two at the front and two at the back, and there were four floors altogether. The kitchen was in the basement, and the entry floor had an elegant entrance hall leading to a dining room and a study.
Photos: Sydney Place, Bath
The first floor boasted two reception rooms, and then another flight of stairs led to three bedrooms. A row of box rooms was set up in the roof for the servants.
‘You girls can share,’ chirruped Mrs Austen as they made their way about the house, ‘then we can keep a bedroom spare for guests.’ This was more than acceptable to her daughters, whose smiles spread from ear to ear with the thought that their parents may be contemplating living in this marvellous house.
‘I think we should take it, what do you say?’ said Mr Austen.
Photo: 4, Sydney Place, Bath
The next day, he met with the man of business and a contract was drawn up. Plans were put in place for the landlord to paint the rooms, and a timescale for the move was arranged. When the family went to watch the fireworks in Sydney Gardens for the king’s birthday a few days later, they stood on the pavement in front of number 4 Sydney Place and gazed up at the high windows with satisfaction. This was to be their new home.
Copyright Diane Jane Ball 2025