Real Places in...Pride and Prejudice

Herefordshire ©VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

The novel opens at Longbourn, the Bennet family's home in Hertfordshire. Most of the story takes place at fictional locations in Hertfordshire (Longbourn, Meryton, Netherfield Park and Lucas Lodge). Austen doesn't give many clues about the actual location of these places, except for their distance from Gracechurch Street in London, where the Gardiners live. There's a great article on Jansa.org, which makes a strong case for Harpenden, Redbourne and Kimpton being the real locations. 

We can pinpoint some real places that Austen used towards the end of the novel, when Elizabeth travels to the Derbyshire Peak District with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner. They visit Lambton, a fictionalised version of Bakewell, and stay at the inn, which is though to be based on The Rutland Arms. 

They also visit some real stately homes in the area, including Chatsworth House. And then go on a tour of Mr Darcy's Pemberley, which some believe was modelled after Chatsworth.