Discover Jane Austen’s England
Grab your bonnet and get lost in Austen, with my top spots around the nation
Jane Austen Centre, Bath
Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806 and the beautiful city has made itself the centre of all things Austen. The Jane Austen Centre is a small museum to the city’s famous resident and includes the popular Regency Tea Room. If that rattles your teacup, then you can head to the Bath Assembly Rooms, which has a fashion museum in the basement, where you can try on clothes. For more: fashionmuseum.co.uk and janeausten.co.uk
The Jane Austen Festival, Bath
Top of the list for Austen fans, is the annual Jane Austen Festival, in Bath. Taking place every September, this is the ultimate for Austen-lovers. You can dress up in your best Lizzie-style and join in the costume promenade, through the stunning Regency streets. Visit janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk
Jane Austen’s house, Chawton, Hampshire
This is my favourite Jane Austen site, because it’s so atmospheric. The pretty village of Chawton, near Winchester, is where the author spent the last eight years of her life. The modest cottage is where she did most of her writing and you can see the tiny writing desk she penned her masterpieces on. This museum is the only one of Jane’s homes open to the public. Visit janeaustens.house
Chawton House, Chawton, Hampshire
Just along from Jane Austen’s house, you’ll find Chawton House, “the great house” she used to visit, where her brother Edward lived with his wife. This beautiful house features the Chawton House Library, dedicated to championing the works of early women writers. Visit chawtonhouse.org
Jane Austen’s birthplace, Steventon, Hampshire
Jane was born in the village of Steventon in 1775. Her father was Reverend George Austen and the family lived in the rectory by St Nicholas Church. The rectory is no longer there but the church has a plaque to Jane and her brother James, also a vicar. Look out for the big yew tree outside the church – it’s 900 years old, so would have stood there in Jane’s day, too.
Jane Austen’s grave, Winchester Cathedral
Jane ended up being buried in Winchester Cathedral in 1817 because she went into lodgings next door, to be near her doctor. Her original memorial stone made no mention of her novels, but after her fame grew posthumously, in 1870, her nephew paid for a new plaque with the inscription “Jane Austen, known to many by her writings.” Visit winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
This stately home in the Midlands, was the home of the Leighs, relatives of Jane’s mother. Jane stayed there in 1806 and loved the house, much of which appears as Mansfield Park. Visitors to the house can take a special Jane Austen tour and see the details she included in the novel. Visit Stoneleighabbey.org
Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire
Chatsworth House is believed to be Pride and Prejudice’s Pemberley. Jane visited this magnificent house whilst staying in Bakewell and it also appeared on screen as Pemberley in the 2005 Keira Knightley movie version. The 1995 BBC adaptation with Colin Firth used Lyme Park in Cheshire, nationaltrust.org.uk. I’ve been to Chatsworth House many times and it’s well worth a visit. Visit chatsworth.org
Henry’s Townhouse, London
Finally, for those wanting an exclusive Austen experience, you’ll love Henry’s Townhouse in London’s Marylebone. This exquisite townhouse was owned by Jane’s brother Henry and has been beautifully restored as an exclusive-use property by the owners of the country-house hotel Temple Guiting Manor in the Cotswolds. I was lucky to have a private tour of the meticulously-decorated Regency home, for Travel + Luxury. It would make an ideal base for anyone visiting London in a large group, wanting privacy, but a five-star experience. It sleeps 14 people in seven bedrooms, all named after an Austen family member, with a lounge and kitchen area. Visit henrystownhouse.co.uk
The British Travel List is the sister newsletter to The Royal List. It is a weekly guide to my favourite places to visit and stay around the country. I am an experienced travel and lifestyle journalist who writes for British and Australian newspapers and magazines and I am passionate about British travel. For more of my work, visit kerryparnell.com