I just had the privilege of hosting a second group tour of England. One of our stops on this trip was to Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire.
I have visited the novelist’s grave in Winchester cathedral, but this was my first time visiting Chawton cottage, the only house Jane Austen lived in and wrote in that is open to the public.
In 1809, four years after her father’s death, Jane moved with her mother and sister into this 17th century cottage on her brother Edward’s estate. Jane spent the last eight years of her life in this rural retreat and it was here her creativity flourished and where she wrote or revised most of her novels, including Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
We were all struck to see the unassuming little desk where she worked on her wonderful novels.
And how moving to see the view from her bedroom window and the very floorboards Jane herself walked on!
Several members of the group donned Regency attire for photos at the cottage. And my husband and I enjoyed its beautifully maintained gardens.
Visiting Jane Austen’s House was truly a moving experience for me and, I think, a beautiful outing for all.
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How wonderful! Thanks for sharing this! To see that little spot where she wrote novels that have lasted for generations is amazing!
I agree, Courtney. It’s rather humble and inspiring…as Jane was!
This trip–with you as host—is on my bucket list, Julie! Loved seeing the photos and hearing about your trip.
Oh, man. I would love it if you traveled with me, Deb!
What a wonderful trip!I just read Persuasion. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you keep sponsoring this trip.
Thanks, Betty. We visited the cobb at Lyme Regis, which is featured in Persuasion!
Wow! I looked that up while I was reading.
To walk the halls and rooms where Jane lived and wrote! What a wonderful opportunity.
Thanks, Becky!
I love visiting author’s homes. Rick and I visited Sir Walter Scott’s home while in England. One trip to New England gave us the chance to visit the homes Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Glen Ellen (Jack London’s home — and site of “Wolf House”) is 30 minutes from us. The desks of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and table of “the Inklings” is in a small college museum in Chicago. Robert Louis Stevenson lived just over the hills. Always fun to see these places and imagine the creative energy that happened there. Would have loved to have been on your tour!
Wow, you have visited a lot of author’s homes! Of course, I wouldn’t mind visiting YOURS. 🙂 Consider yourself invited to join us on a future tour. Thanks, Francine.
Oh when was this?
Last week!
It was awesome! Great fun. Now I’m waiting to see if any of the places we visited turn up in “The Bridge to Belle Island” : )
Thanks for sharing these pix with us readers! 🙂