A Guide to...JAne AUsten's Hampshire

Hampshire is official Austen country with several towns and villages boasting important links to the beloved author. And although the Austen family eventually settled in Bath, Austen preferred the countryside and always remained partial to her home county. 

​Stevenage

At first glance it may not seem that there's much to see in this quiet Hampshire village, sadly Austen's birthplace was demolished in 1824. But the author spent the first 25 years of her life here and drew great inspiration from the world around her. Although her family was only on the lower fringes of the landed gentry, Austen kept company with several upper class families around Steventon. Her busy social life and interactions with local socialites during this time provided great fodder for her writing. Here she began the first drafts of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. 
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Austen’s father was the rector at the 12th Century church of St Nicolas until the family moved to Bath in 1801. There are several monuments in the church relating to the Austen family and a weather vane on the spire in the shape of a quill pen dedicated to Jane Austen. In 1995, the church bells were restored with funds from the Jane Austen Society of North America. 

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Chawton

This charming village was home to Jane Austen from 1809 to 1817. Austen moved to Chawton with her mother and sister after her brother Edward inherited the Chawton House estate and purchased the nearby Chawton Cottage for his family. After several years in Bath and Southampton, Austen, who never cared much for cities, was delighted to find herself in this bucolic setting.

Although the surrounding area has changed over the years, the village centre remains just as Austen would have known it. Here you'll find the little country lanes that she loved to so dearly.  At the edge of the village stands St Nicolas Church, where Austen's  mother and  sister  are buried. 
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​Jane Austen's House Museum
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Austen loved her home at Chawton Cottage and her creativity thrived during her time here. In this house, she wrote and revised six of her novels, including Emma, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. The museum's collection includes her writing table and original manuscripts, as well as some family items and furniture. Be sure to visit the onsite gift shop, which boasts an impressive range of Austen's works and books about Austen.

​Chawton House 

The former home of Austen’s brother, Edward Austen-Knight, this Elizabethan manor house is a five minute walk from Chawton Cottage. Austen would have known this as the "Great House" and dined here regularly with her brother and his family. The house and gardens are open to visitors and there's now a lovely tea room. Chawton House is also home to a significant library hosts regular literary events. 

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​Southampton 

The largest city in Hampshire, Southampton is vibrant port and a popular tourist destination, as both the Mayflower and the Titanic set sail from its harbour. Jane Austen spent three years here after her father died and the family was forced to quit Bath in 1806. At the time, Austen was already familiar with the city as she came here to study briefly as a young girl. The city pays tribute to the author’s life, with a walking trail, highlighting various locations familiar to Austen.
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The Dolphin Hotel

​One of Southampton's historic gems, The Dolphin Hotel dates back to the 15th Century. It first became a coaching inn during the 17th Century , but the hotel's popularity soared when Southampton became a Spa Town, attracting the likes of Lord Admiral Nelson and later on, Queen Victoria. Jane Austen regularly attended balls at The Dolphin, while living in Southampton. And even celebrated her 18th birthday here in 1793.

The Juniper Berry 
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Located within the old city walls, this welcoming pub marks the spot of the former Austen home. The Austens lived here from from 1807 to 1809, in a house rented from the Marquis of Lansdowne.  At that time, the house's garden offered sweeping views of the New Forest. 

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Winchester
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Located at the western end of the Hampshire South Downs, the ancient city of Winchester is dominated by its impressive cathedral. Winchester boasts several literary connections. Thomas Hardy was christened here at St Luke’s Church and later used the city for the tragic ending of Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Winchester is also the final resting place of Jane Austen.
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Winchester Cathedral 

Completed in 1093 after 14 years of construction, Winchester Cathedral is the longest in Europe. Famed in history for royal wedding and funerals, Winchester Cathedral is also the resting place of Jane Austen.  Although her gravestone makes no mention of her success as a novelist, a marker was recently added nearby.

​8 College Street 

Situated near the entrance of Winchester College, this small yellow house was Jane Austen’s last home. She moved here to be closer to her physician, but only lived for six weeks. The blue plaque over the door reads “In this house Jane Austen lived her last days and died 18th July 1817”. This is a private residence; please contact the tourist office with any questions.  
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