Jane Austen events in Hampshire

In 2025, Hampshire celebrated the 250^th birthday of its famed and beloved author, Jane Austen, with special events taking place across the county throughout the year.

Jane Austen was born in Hampshire on the 16th of December 1775 in Steventon and grew up in the village spending the first 25 years of her life in Hampshire. She later returned to her home county, living first in Southampton, and then in the cottage now known as Jane Austen’s House in the village of Chawton, where she lived for the last eight years of her life. Jane died in nearby Winchester and her grave is in Winchester Cathedral.

Although the 250th anniversary has concluded, there will still be plenty of events and activities such as exhibitions, tours, talks, performances and much more, are held to celebrate Jane Austen’s life across the county. Many of which take place at Jane Austen’s House museum in Chawton, where Jane lived for many years. Take a look below at what's coming up over the coming months. 

Jane Austen’s House, Chawton

Jane Austen’s House, the home where Jane wrote and published all six of her globally beloved novels – Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion –  now has a new permanent exhibition; Jane Austen and The Art of Writing.

Also in the village, Chawton House – the manor house that belonged to Jane’s brother, Edward – offers fascinating links with not only Jane, but the lives and works of early women’s writers from 1600 to 1830.

Jane Austen in Winchester 

In 1817, suffering with ill health, Jane moved to Winchester where she died at the age of 41 shortly afterwards.

In the summer of 2025, Winchester College opened No. 8 College Street, Winchester – the house where Jane Austen spent the final weeks of her life and died in 1817 – to the public for the first time as part of a worldwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth.

Jane is buried in the north nave aisle of Winchester Cathedral under a memorial stone. A dedicated Jane Austen statue can be seen just outside the Cathedral. 

At Winchester City Museum, a new permanent display celebrates Jane, marking her final days.

Jane Austen in Alton

Once frequented by Jane and her sister Cassandra, the Hampshire town of Alton celebrates Jane Austen’s era annually at the Jane Austen Regency Week in June with a Summer Regency Ball and a full programme of talks, guided walks and workshops. A new Jane Austen scuplture in a Regency-style garden was unveiled in 2025.