The Guardian reports that the Thermae Bath Spa, after years of delays and tremendous cost overruns, just might be ready to open at last.

What does this have to do with Jane Austen, you ask? (and rightly so!) Well, she is mentioned in the article, under the general rule that states no article about Bath can fail to mention her.

Last week the Guardian was given a sneak preview of the Bath Spa project, a modern public baths complex based around the Georgian buildings that were enjoyed by Jane Austen’s contemporaries.

…and this part can be tied into her life and her novels:

The scheme involved the creation of one new building, which has since been named the New Royal Bath, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners and linked via a series of glass walkways to two Georgian buildings, the Hot Bath and a four-storey townhouse which houses the spa’s main entrance and reception area.

Two smaller stand-alone buildings have been restored, the Cross Bath, big enough only for a few people at a time, and the Hetling Pump Room, where visitors will be able to taste the water.

Recalling what the guides on the walking tour told us, the hot springs bubble up at three locations: the Pump Room/King’s Bath complex (built on top of the ruins of the original Roman baths); the Hot Bath; and the Cross Bath, all within a few steps of each other. The Cross Bath was where the rich people went and the Hot Bath was where poorer people went; the two are literally steps from each other, so the division seems a bit arbitrary. Careful readers of Persuasion will remember that Mrs. Smith had lodgings near “the hot baths,” where she went to relieve the pains of rheumatic fever that lingered in her legs. One might dare to speculate that Jane Austen meant that she was carried into The Hot Bath, which is very near to Westgate Buildings, and that the capitals were removed in the printing process.

Across the way from the Cross Bath is the former Hetling Pump Room. The guides told us that, though the facade of the building had been cleaned of accumulated soot and grime, they worked around the original name of the establishment, which remained painted on one wall. This was done, we were told, so that Jane Austen fans could find it, since it is mentioned in one of her letters; Edward Austen drank his daily dose of hot water at the Hetling Pump Room. From the article, it seems that Janeites will be able to do so as well, and very soon!

Though Jane Austen disliked Bath, we loved it. However, we can understand why she preferred to live in Hampshire. We are a bit more like Mrs. Allen, and like to be able to step outside and get any thing in five minutes.