Regency Spa Towns
WITH LOUISA CORNELLRegistration ends February 25, 2026!
Class Description
In Regency England, spa towns served as multi-purpose centers for health, social events, leisure, and economic activity, evolving beyond their initial medicinal function to become hubs for the fashionable elite. As the popularity of spa towns grew, they transformed into major social hubs where people from high society came to see and be seen. For the wealthy, a trip to a spa town was a chance to escape from the exhaustion of tonlife and enjoy a variety of diversions.
In this class we will discuss the development of the various spa towns, what each was most famous for, the infrastructure required to support a successful spa town, the medicinal purposes and the medicinal quackery associated with some spa towns, the social life that developed, the political life that often occurred, persons of note, and scandals of note.
Spa towns were a microcosm of British society, but each had its own flavor and flair. It is hoped this class will present a picture of these towns and all they have to offer as settings for Regency fiction outside of the confines of London or the expanse of the countryside.
About the Instructor
Louisa has been employed as everything from a veterinary technician to a bakery manager to night manager at a funeral home. Her education background includes a B.S. in Music Education and a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Judson College, a Master of Musical Arts and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Opera Performance and Music History from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a year’s fellowship at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.
After retiring from a European career as an opera singer Louisa returned to her first love, writing Regency romance. A two-time Golden Heart finalist, three-time Daphne du Maurier winner, and four-time Royal Ascot winner—she is a member of RWA, Southern Magic RWA, and Regency Fiction Writers. She is both indie published and published by Scarsdale Publishing. Her first published work, the novella A Perfectly Dreadful Christmas, won the 2015 Holt Medallion. Her novel A Study in Passion won the historical romance mid-length category of RWA’s 2021 Vivian Award. Her 26th book A Pearl Seduced was published in August, 2024. Her first contemporary romance Cajun in a Kilt was published in December, 2024 and the fifth The Duke, the Witch, and the Party Planner was published in April, 2025.
Louisa has taught workshops for the Academe and has presented multiple workshops for The Beau Monde / Regency Fiction Writers Annual Conferences. She has also taught writing craft workshops for RWA chapters, her local library, and RWA’s Pen-2-Paper program.
Her hobbies include collecting Regency research books, studying the history of Gothic romance, creating Regency hats, and playing doorman and maid to a herd of small, yappy dogs. She visits the UK as often as she can! Visit the instructor’s website at https://www.facebook.com/RegencyWriterLouisaCornell or http://numberonelondon.net/
Class Delivery
This class consists of written PDF lessons with illustrations. Links to videos will be posted. Additional video meetings to show a PowerPoint presentation and for Q&A will be offered the first and last weeks of class.
Class Format
2-WEEK COURSE
Written Lectures: MANY
Video Lectures: NO
Other Videos: NO
Pictures: SOME
Audio Files: NO
Writing Exercises: NO
Class Fees
$20 for RFW members
$35 for non-members
Registration ends February 25, 2026!
Scholarships are available for members