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Jane Austen

Hampshire was the inspiration for many of Jane Austen's novels. From her home in Steventon, near Basingstoke, she wrote the first drafts of Northanger Abbey, Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, and went shopping in Andover, Alton and Alresford.

She attended dances at The Vyne, near Basingstoke, and finished several of her famous novels at her home in Chawton, which now houses an excellent museum dedicated to the Austens. Jane's last resting place can be seen in Winchester Cathedral.

More information about the history of Jane Austen in Hampshire.

Places to visit - follow Jane Austen's footprints

Beaulieu Abbey
One of the great monasteries dissolved by Henry VIII, which the Austen's used to pass on their boat trips to the New Forest.

Bucklers Hard
An 18th century village, part of the Beaulieu Estate, where ships from Nelson's navy were built. Another fine view enjoyed by the Austen's from the Beaulieu river in the New Forest.

Hampshire Record Office
Outstanding collections of national and international importance including parish registers, letters and poems relating to the Austens. Located in Winchester.

Jane Austen's House and Museum
Where Jane wrote and revised her major novels in the village of Chawton, near Alton where Jane and her sister Cassandra used to go shopping. Now a fascinating museum containing her memorabilia and artefacts. You can also take a 4.5 mile Jane Austen circular walk which departs from Jane Austen's House.

Netley Abbey
An extensive and inspiring ruin near Southampton, in a peaceful and beautiful setting visited by the Austens on family excursions.

Royal Naval Museum
Jane's brothers Francis and Charles joined the Navy, rising to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet and Rear Admiral respectively. They were based in Portsmouth and Jane visited them when she lived in Southampton.

Steventon Church
The small twelfth-century village church in north Hampshire where Jane's father was the vicar and where she worshipped. Jane was born on December 16th 1775 at Steventon Rectory and spent the first twenty-five years of her life here.

The Vyne
Impressive 16th-century house in Sherborne St John near Basingstoke where Jane used to dance, dating back to Henry VIII's reign. Now a National Trust property.

Whitchurch Silk Mill
Where silk was made for the BBC1 serial 'Pride & Prejudice'. Built on the River Test in Hampshire in 1800, during the reign of King George III. Silk has been woven here since the 1820/1830s.

Winchester Cathedral
The resting place of Jane Austen. Jane's funeral was held in Winchester Cathedral and she is buried in the north aisle. The inscription on her tomb makes no mention of her literary talents, but a brass tablet and a memorial window were added at later dates.

Things to do

• Circular walk - follow in Jane's footsteps through the countryside that inspired her from Chawton to Farringdon. Download a map of the route.
• Jane Austen Trail - walking route from Alton High Street to Chawton passing places of interest. Download a map of the route.