Jane Austen Trail Walk: Alton to Chawton

About

This is a walk from the market town of Alton to Chawton village that will help you discover Jane Austen’s world, seeing it come alive with every step.

Start your journey from Alton High Street, where Jane and her sister Cassandra frequently walked for shopping and entertainment. Also here, her brother Henry had a branch of his bank, Austen, Maude and Tilson, and he often visited it on business from London.

Keep following Jane’s footsteps down to Chawton to see Prowting’s family house, blacksmith’s shop, where she used to take the coach to London and, finally, her lovely house.

Jane, her mother and sister Cassandra moved into this house in 1809 after a great deal of refurbishment. Within the house’s walls is not hard to imagine the maids Sally (with her new red cloak) and Betsy, and the men-servants Browning and William (a good-looking young man, according to Jane) bustling around the house. But don’t stop here, there’s more to see. Proceed further to the Chawton House Library. Jane often visited the house, particularly when Edward and his family were in residence: “Aunt Cass and I dine at the Gt House today. We shall be a snug half dozen”.

Distance: The route is 1.5 miles. 

Look out for the Jane Autsen Trail signs along the route. 

Car parking: Use one of Alton town centre car parks.

Rail: The closest station is Alton Train Station. From here you can get a direct train to London. 

Places of interest: Jane Austen's House Museum, Chawton House Library and Alton Museum. 

The route can been downloaded below (PDF).