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The ultimate travel guide for ‘Pride and Prejudice’ fans
It has been 250 years since Jane Austen was born, which marked the start of a career that would completely change the course of English literature. Novels weren’t taken half as seriously as they are now back then, but Austen delivered an incredible stack of witty and socially poignant stories which cemented her as a genius.
While all of her works have been heralded over the years, it’s Pride and Prejudice that has endured as her most popular, and arguably her best. Telling the tale of Elizabeth Bennet, the novel follows the charming protagonist and her sisters as their parents do their best to marry them off to suitable men, leading Lizzie to Mr Darcy, who appears proud and stuffy, much to her initial distaste.
As their romance unfolds, Austen astutely comments on the conventions of gender, class, and family at the heart of 19th century society. It has remained a classic for decades, and with its popularity has come various interpretations, with the first being the 1938 television version.
However, the most beloved versions are widely held to be the 1995 BBC mini-series, with Colin Firth starring as Mr Darcy, while the 2005 movie adaptation also has a huge following, complete with a gorgeous soundtrack to boot. With the story taking place in beautiful houses or against lush pastoral landscapes, fans of these adaptations can visit many of the filming locations across England, making for the perfect Pride and Prejudice-themed mini breaks (or perhaps even proposal locations).
