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Milsom Street

Here you will pass the lower end of Milsom Street - perhaps best known nowadays for its shops. Even in Austen's day she is quoted as writing: "It has the finest shops outside of London."

Cross Milsom Street into the appropriately named Quiet Street which leads you on to Queen Square.

Queen Square

The obelisk in the square celebrates the visit in 1738 of Frederick Prince of Wales.

Walk up the east side and cross to the north side at the crossing. Continue to the Gravel Walk steps.

These walkways were built to connect Queen Square with the Royal Crescent. On your right, and depending on the season, the Georgian Garden is worth a visit (open May to October weekdays only).

Royal Victoria Park

You'll now be walking through gardens and eventually the Royal Crescent should come into view.

Designed by John Wood the Younger as lodging-houses for the gentry, this crescent was completed in 1767.

The ha-ha, or sunken fence, kept the sheep, cows and peasants from the front lawns, but didn't interrupt the view from the apartments.

The Circus

Turn right into Brock Street and walk into The Circus.

Designed by John Wood and completed by his son in 1754, the Circus represents the sun and the Royal Crescent the moon. Brock Street, which links them, runs along an old line of psychic energy!

Walking across the Circus enter Bennett Street where you'll find the Upper Assembly Rooms - sadly no photography is allowed inside.

Return to the Circus, bearing left into Gay Street. Walk down this hill admiring the views across to Beechen Cliff where Jane Austen used to walk.

Going right to the bottom you should recognise it's Queen Square again - this area used to have the highest number of alehouses, noxious workshops and prostitutes, beggars and thieves in the whole city!

On that note, turn around and work your way back up the hill to 25 Gay Street - you have arrived at the end of this walk by being outside the Jane Austen Centre.

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