Chawton and Jane Austen Tour

I look forward to spending a day together on the footsteps of Jane Austen! This tour is a perfect day-trip from London to discover an authentic English countryside village with unique connections to one of the most famous writers in the world. Chawton is a picture-perfect, quintessentially English village in the heart of the South Downs National Park, in Hampshire with fairy tale thatched cottages, a beautiful park and cosy stone church But Chawton is best known for being the place where Jane Austen lived happily the final eight years of her life and wrote or completed most of her famous novels, including Emma and the final version of Pride & Prejudice. As the world celebrate the anniversary of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, 2025 is definitely the perfect year to visit Chawton. On this one-and-a-half-hour guided tour, I will take you on a journey of discovery through the village that Jane Austen knew and loved and provide you with lots of information about the connections between many of the beautiful village cottages and Jane’s life. In addition, I will give you glimpse into what life is like in an English village today based on my personal experience of Chawton resident.

The House where Jane Austen lived the final eight years of her life with her mother, sister (both named Cassandra) and best friend Martha Lloyd. The tour starts outside Jane Austen’s House, that is right in the heart of the village, and ends outside Chawton House, the country mansion inherited by her brother Edward. In my introduction I’ll provide you with some general information about this important building although, for a proper deep dive, I strongly encourage you to visit it before or at the end of my tour – it is definitely worth it! Jane Austen’s House is today a well-run museum managed by a Foundation and is generally considered the best place in the world to immerse yourself into Jane Austen’s world. Access to Jane Austen’s House in NOT included in my tour. My advice is to book your ticket in advance on the House’s website as access is limited and in high demand.

The Elizabethan country manor house inherited by Jane Austen's brother Edward in 1797, along with the Chawton estate and many other properties in Hampshire and Kent. Jane Austen often mentions Chawton House in her letters and warmly refers to it as “The Great House”. During the tour, we will stop outside the entrance to Chawton House, where I will provide some general information and context about this important building. However, for a more complete experience, I invite you to visit it at the end of my tour, as it is really worth seeing. The house is managed by a foundation and is beautiful inside. It has a splendid park covering 275 acres, which is mostly open to the public all year round free of charge. Chawton House is a splendid example of a typical English gentry country mansion with beautiful interiors and many connections to Jane Austen. Entrance to the House is NOT included in my tour. Advance booking is not necessary - tickets can be purchased directly on site.

The beautiful Victorian church that is now the parish church of the village of Chawton but which, in Jane Austen's day, was the private chapel of the Knight family and part of the Chawton House estate inherited by her brother Edward Austen Knight.