Chawton and Jane Austen Tour
Description
The only tour of Chawton guided by an Italian lady who lives in the village. During this one-and-a-half-hour walking tour, you will have the opportunity not only to discover the village that Jane Austen knew and loved and its connection to her life, but also to get a glimpse into what life is like today in an authentic English village based the guide's personal experience as a Chawton resident. This is a perfect day trip from London to a quintessentially English countryside village that offers a perfect blend of history, culture and lifestyle.
Tour Options
Itinerary
I look forward to spending a day together on the footsteps of Jane Austen! This tour is a perfect day-trip from London to discover an authentic English countryside village with unique connections to one of the most famous writers in the world. Chawton is a picture-perfect, quintessentially English village in the heart of the South Downs National Park, in Hampshire with fairy tale thatched cottages, a beautiful park and cosy stone church But Chawton is best known for being the place where Jane Austen lived happily the final eight years of her life and wrote or completed most of her famous novels, including Emma and the final version of Pride & Prejudice. As the world celebrate the anniversary of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, 2025 is definitely the perfect year to visit Chawton. On this one-and-a-half-hour guided tour, I will take you on a journey of discovery through the village that Jane Austen knew and loved and provide you with lots of information about the connections between many of the beautiful village cottages and Jane’s life. In addition, I will give you glimpse into what life is like in an English village today based on my personal experience of Chawton resident.
The House where Jane Austen lived the final eight years of her life with her mother, sister (both named Cassandra) and best friend Martha Lloyd. The tour starts outside Jane Austen’s House, that is right in the heart of the village, and ends outside Chawton House, the country mansion inherited by her brother Edward. In my introduction I’ll provide you with some general information about this important building although, for a proper deep dive, I strongly encourage you to visit it before or at the end of my tour – it is definitely worth it! Jane Austen’s House is today a well-run museum managed by a Foundation and is generally considered the best place in the world to immerse yourself into Jane Austen’s world. Access to Jane Austen’s House in NOT included in my tour. My advice is to book your ticket in advance on the House’s website as access is limited and in high demand.
The Elizabethan country manor house inherited by Jane Austen's brother Edward in 1797, along with the Chawton estate and many other properties in Hampshire and Kent. Jane Austen often mentions Chawton House in her letters and warmly refers to it as “The Great House”. During the tour, we will stop outside the entrance to Chawton House, where I will provide some general information and context about this important building. However, for a more complete experience, I invite you to visit it at the end of my tour, as it is really worth seeing. The house is managed by a foundation and is beautiful inside. It has a splendid park covering 275 acres, which is mostly open to the public all year round free of charge. Chawton House is a splendid example of a typical English gentry country mansion with beautiful interiors and many connections to Jane Austen. Entrance to the House is NOT included in my tour. Advance booking is not necessary - tickets can be purchased directly on site.
The beautiful Victorian church that is now the parish church of the village of Chawton but which, in Jane Austen's day, was the private chapel of the Knight family and part of the Chawton House estate inherited by her brother Edward Austen Knight.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour is on pavements and paved roads, but there are a couple of short sections on grassy and dirt areas, so it may not be suitable for people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
- The walk is easy and relaxed, but comfortable shoes and suitable clothes for the unpredictable British weather are advisable.
Reviews(42)
Laura, a local in Chawton, gave a lovely, in-depth tour of the significance of Chawton and its connection to Jane Austen. She walked us through the small town of Chawton, telling us about the history of the town and the legacy that lives on today. If you plan to take the tour, I recommend checking the entry times for the Jane Austen and Chawton House to ensure you have enough time to go through each and try on some historical clothing for photos as well before Laura’s wonderful tour.
Laura is a brilliant guide, researcher, presenter, and inspiring to listen to her research on Jane Austen. She was accommodating, sensitive, and impressive. I appreciated her attention to the smallest detail. For example, we were looking at the thatched roofs, and I asked for information about the creatures on the rooftops. She shared what she knew and researched. She is a humble and courteous guide. She let us add our ideas and extensions. Laura listened and supported. She gives award-worthy guides. It’s important to note that she also is a resident of Chawton. I HIGHLY recommend her as a guide. Amazing.
Fantastic Italian tour with Laura She is so well prepared, very passionate amd dedicated. I will definitely recommend her . We had an amazing time Thank you Laura
The village tour was very interesting. It was very exciting to discover so many details about the history of Chawton and the life of Jane Austen. Despite the heat, Laura did not hold back in her storytelling, making the day very pleasant for us; she was very professional, helpful, friendly, and welcoming, answering all our questions and curiosities. Meeting her was a real pleasure.
This review is dedicated to Laura and for the information of all those interested in a tour about Jane Austen in the town of Chawton. It can happen in life to remember a particularly successful guided tour, well here we are beyond that. This was one of the best cultural experiences I have ever had. Laura, who lives in Chawton, did not just tell us stories connected to the life of JA, but she teleported us there between 1809 and 1817. The story of a person is better understood if one dwells on the personal relationships they have with family members, neighbors, friends and enemies, with people one would like to meet and those one tries to avoid instead. The story of a person is influenced by the physical context where it takes place, by the houses, the cottages, the places of reflection, the streets, the gardens, the waters, the paths that destiny leads you to cross and that today perhaps no longer appear as they did then. In Laura's passionate story, I, my wife, and our friends found all of this and Jane Austen ceased to be just a historical figure, but became someone close whom I would like to be friends with. I will be forever grateful to Laura for everything she gave us and I invite you to contact her to take a tour with her and Jane Austen!
The visit with Laura was a special experience. The history of the village of Chawton, its beautiful buildings, and the people who inhabited them made the already magical English countryside even more enchanting. An experience that will remain for a long time not only in memory but also in the soul. Thank you, Laura, thank you very much!
I am part of a small group which meets to chat in Italian every fortnight. This tour was a supplmentary event, to make us work our Italian harder! From start to finish it was fascinating, clearly explained and thought-provoking.
We had a fantastic day with Laura! Her passion and enthusiasm really shine through as she talks and walks through the gorgeous little Village of Chawton. It was so interesting learning all the little facts! Thanks so much for a great day!
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Laura is very knowledgeable and passionate about Jane Austen and she shared insights about Chawton that only a local resident would know.
Our guide Laura was friendly and very knowledgeable. She kept us out of the rain as much as possible, but also walked us around Chawton and kept us entertained. It was a delight to meet her and hear her stories about Jane Austen and the people she knew.
