Historic English city named the world’s best place to visit in 2025 by New York Times

ONE of the UK's oldest cities has been named a top place in the world to travel this year.

The New York Times has released its annual - and named Bath as one of the very best spots.

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Explaining how they chose 'Jane Austen's England' as the no1. spot, they explained: "Each year, the central question is, Why now? Why should a destination be included this year?

"Is there an exciting event? A big anniversary? New infrastructure, new flights, a new atmosphere?"

This year celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth.

The author lived in Bath while writing many of her novels (although her actual birthplace was Steventon in North Hampshire).

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And along with events in other places around the UK such as Southampton and Winchester, Bath will be seeing a huge amount of events on this year.

The NYT says: "Jane Austen fans have a good reason to explore the southwest of England this year.

"It’s the 250th anniversary of her birth, and celebrations abound.

"In Bath, the Jane Austen Center is going all out, with dance balls and its Grand Regency Costumed Promenade."

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Bath has revealed a number of other events this year to celebrate including the Jane Austen Country Fair in July.

A Persuasion ball is on May 31, followed by a Sanditon ball on June 28 and a birthday ball on December 13.

Historian Jane Worsley will present a talk about her life and her novels, while a retelling of Pride and Prejudice will take place at The Theatre Royal Bath.

And No. 8 College Street will open for the first time to the public, which is where she spent her final few weeks.

Kathryn Davis, managing director of the tourism body Visit West, praised Bridgerton for sparking interest in the regency era in Bath.

She told The Times: “It’s brought a younger and more diverse audience to the city and the region."

The Netflix drama has also inspired its own themed events with musical Bridgerton tours of some of the filming locations.

If you fancy staying, you can opt for the trendy No.15 by Guesthouse, a boutique chain with others open in Brighton and York, or the revamped Francis Hotel, following its £13million restoration.

Travel writer Jo Kessel recently visited Bath on a Jane Austen trip.

She said: ";The best place to start is Gay Street’s Jane Austen Centre, where I costumed actors from Sense And Sensibility and Persuasion showing me Empire Line gowns to try.

"Pride and Prejudice womaniser Mr Wickham also entered who despite being a cad, allowed to 'help' me with my outfits.

"We even played Spillikins, a game loved by Jane using matchsticks although was beaten by the actors easily.

"There are tourist trails around 4 Sydney Place — Austen’s former house as well as Sydney Gardens opposite, a park where Jane promenaded.

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"In the Footsteps of Jane Austen is a free 90-minute audio walking tour which also hits up Royal Crescent, Gravel Walk and the Pump Room."

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