Chawton House

Approx Journey Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Time at Destination: 3.5 Hours

Comfort stop: No

Drop off Point: Chawton House

 

A trip to Chawton House offers a captivating glimpse into literary history and the charm of the English countryside. Departing in the morning, you’ll arrive at the historic Elizabethan manor, once home to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight.

On arrival, guests will be welcomed with tea, coffee, and biscuits, before enjoying a one & a quarter hour guided house history tour. Knowledgeable guides lead you through key rooms of the house, sharing its fascinating past, architectural features, and literary significance. The tour is comfortably paced and well suited to those with limited mobility.

 

After the tour, there is free time to explore the gardens and grounds, or simply relax. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy in the gardens & in the event of inclement weather, indoor seating is available. 

 

Stroll through the picturesque gardens, which inspired some of Austen's beloved novels, and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.This enriching visit offers a delightful combination of history, literature, and nature.

 

Accessibility

Chawton House offers coach drop-off close to the entrance of the property, with ramped access and accessible ground-floor rooms. The tearoom, gardens, and accessible toilet facilities are all easily reached, with staff on hand to assist.

Discover the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, now sensitively restored. Relax in the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, and find inspiration in the lives and works of our women writers.

Chawton House is an elegant Elizabethan manor located in the village of Chawton. Built in the late 16th century, the house is closely associated with the famous novelist Jane Austen, whose brother, Edward Austen Knight, inherited the estate. It is part of the wider Austen legacy, as Jane herself lived nearby in a cottage in Chawton, where she wrote and revised some of her most beloved novels.

 

The house is surrounded by picturesque gardens and a sprawling estate, with beautiful parklands, walled gardens, and a sense of tranquility that reflects the rural charm of the English countryside. Today, Chawton House serves as a museum and research center, with a focus on early women's writing. Its extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts includes works by female authors from the 1600s to the early 1800s, helping to highlight the literary achievements of women during that period.

 

Visitors to Chawton House can explore its historical rooms, filled with period furnishings and Austen-related artifacts, while also gaining insights into the lives of women writers. The house has retained much of its original character, with oak paneling, grand staircases, and a library that reflects the intellectual and literary legacy of the estate.

 

Chawton House is not only significant for its Austen connections but also for its broader contribution to the preservation of women's literary heritage. The combination of its historical importance, literary connections, and idyllic setting make it a popular destination for history lovers, Austen fans, and scholars alike.