Plan the Perfect Jane Austen Vacation

To plan the perfect Jane Austen vacation, you’ll need to know:

1. What books should I read?
2. What sites can I visit?
3. And how do I get to each site?

I have compiled the answers to these questions below and linked to the websites you will need.

Books by Jane Austen for your To-Be-Read List:

• Sense & Sensibility
• Pride & Prejudice
• Mansfield Park
• Emma
• Northanger Abbey
• Persuasion
• Lady Susan
• Sanditon

If you’re planning to read Austen’s works before you travel, you might want to purchase one of the various, and all equally beautiful Austen box sets available. If, however, you want to travel with the books to take photos at various locations, I’d suggest some of the smaller versions such as the Macmillan Collector’s editions or the Arcturus Collector’s editions. Or if you’re going to choose just one pretty book to take with you on your travels, I’d suggest the gorgeous Chiltern Pride and Prejudice and you can even get a matching notebook to take with you on your journey to keep a record of your travels!*

*Disclosure: These are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase a book through one of these links, I will make a a few cents at no extra cost to you. 

Locations to Visit:

Steventon

Wealthy relatives bestowed the parish of Steventon to Jane Austen’s father to preside over as Reverend. Jane was born at home here in the Rectory across from the church  in 1775. She lived in Steventon until the age of 25 and may have gathered much of her inspiration for her books from the dances and social life of the Steventon village. The Rectory no longer exists today, but St. Nicholas’ Church in which Jane’s father preached and Jane worshiped still stands and holds services to this day. The church is almost always open for visitors and Austen fans

To visit the church in which Jane was raised, you’ll need a car. The drive will take you on quintessentially British curvy, one-car wide roads through farm country.

Bath

Austen lived in Bath for five years from 1801-1806. She was not particularly happy in Bath, however it is one of the most visited places associated with Jane Austen. One out of the four residences the Austen family lived in has been turned into a Jane Austen museum. You can eat at one of the restaurants frequented by Austen’s characters when in Bath. And you can visit one of the most recognizable filming locations from Austen movie adaptations.

Bath is a very walkable city and a short train ride from London. You could do it as a day trip, but there’s so much to do in Bath, I’d suggest staying a couple days.

Jane Austen Centre

The Jane Austen Centre was once a townhouse in which the Austen family resided for a time. Today it is more museum than historic house. The displays relate to Austen’s life in Bath, family life in Bath for people during the Regency period, and the characters and scenes set in Bath from her novels. You will also come face to face with a life-size wax representation of the author.

The Jane Austen Centre also has a tea room, however, I suggest heading to the next sight for afternoon tea instead.

–> Read more: Author Footsteps: Learn about Jane Austen in Bath

The Pump Room

The Pump Room was the place to go to see and be seen by society in Bath during Austen’s time. She has set several scenes here in her novels, especially in Northanger Abbey.

“Every morning now brought its regular duties — shops were to be visited; some new part of the town to be looked at; and the pump–room to be attended, where they paraded up and down for an hour, looking at everybody and speaking to no one. “

The Pump Room is a dress-nice affair, however you can enjoy afternoon tea for a reasonable price. Put on your favorite tea dress, grab your favorite ladies, and have afternoon tea. If you’re lucky, there may even be live music while you eat.

–> Read more: How to Have A Catherine Morland Day in Bath

Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent has been used as a backdrop in several Jane Austen film adaptations. You can re-enact your favorite Austen scenes here and then check out the museum at No. 1 Royal Crescent to see how people lived in these town houses in the Georgian Age when Bath was at its heyday.

–> Read more: Bath: It’s All A Facade

Jane Austen Festival

There is an annual Jane Austen Festival held in Bath, complete with period costumes and dances.

–> Read More: Pepping for the [Cancelled] Jane Austen Festival in Bath

Chawton

When Austen’s father passed away she moved with her mother and sister to a house in Chawton on the grounds of her brother Edward’s inherited estate. The house the women lived in is now the Jane Austen’s House Museum while her brother Edward’s house is a rare book women’s library, also open to visitors. You can also stay on the former grounds of the estate during your visit.

Jane Austen’s House Museum

Jane lived with her mother and sister, both named Cassandra, in what is now the Jane Austen’s House Museum. The house has been furnished with time-period appropriate furniture and items of daily family life along side the few remaining known Austen artifacts. You’ll be able to see the small table where Austen sat to write the four novels she finished while living here.

Chawton House Library

Jane Austen’s brother Edward inherited Chawton House from the Knight family relatives. Today it is a museum, and rare book library of women’s literature. Just as Austen would walk to visit her brother, you too can make the short walk between the Museum and the Library where you can see displays about early female writers and the rooms where the Austen siblings would spend their days. You can also have afternoon tea in the tea room, and you must be sure not to miss the walled garden behind the house! The grounds are also extensive if you want to do more walking, as Jane would have done on the property as well.

Where to stay: The Garden House Airbnb

Garden House Airbnb

The former residence of the Chawton House gardener now has rooms available on Airbnb so you can stay on the former Chawton estate during your visit. Spend at least a couple nights in Chawton and take a day trip to Winchester while you’re there.

–> Read more: Chawton: Jane Austen’s Happy Place

Winchester

When Jane Austen became ill enough to call a doctor, her family took her to nearby Winchester where, sadly, she passed away. She was laid to rest in Winchester Cathedral where you can visit her grave today.

#8 College Lane

The house where Jane Austen resided with her family during her finals days is located behind the cathedral. It is a private residence, but you can follow sidewalks lined with Jane Austen quotes to view the plaque on the outside above the door.

Winchester Cathedral

Jane Austen’s Final Resting Place is under a marble slab in the floor on the left side of the cathedral interior. The engraving on her stone does not mention her abilities as a writer, but later erected memorials pay tribute to her contribution to literature.

–> Read more in this blog post: Winchester: Jane Austen’s Final Resting Place

London

Jane Austen never lived in London, but there are a couple sights you may want to visit.

British Library

Jane’s portable writing desk has been entrusted to the British Library. It is often on display in the exhibit room.

Westminster Abbey

While some writers and poets have been honored with a burial spot within Westminster Abbey, others have been honored with memorials when their remains lie elsewhere. Jane Austen remains at Winchester, but Westminster has honored her with a memorial in the section which is known as Poet’s Corner.

Chatsworth

Chatsworth House may or may not be the real inspiration behind Pemberley in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It was used as Pemberley, however, in the 2005 film adaptation of the book. Both the exterior and some of the interior rooms, such as the sculpture garden, can be seen in the film.

You’ll want several hours here to tour the interior of the house, the extensive gardens and grounds, and feed the sheep and goats in the barn.

Getting Around:

If you would prefer to avoid having to drive on the “wrong side of the road” in Britain, much of this pilgrimage route can be easily completed with public transportation, however perhaps not Steventon.

• Take the train from London to Bath and/or Alton.
• Alton is the closest train stop to Chawton. Take a taxi or walk between Alton and Chawton.
• To take a day trip between Chawton and Winchester, take a taxi (23 minutes) or bus #64 (40 minutes).
• Bath, Chawton, and Winchester are all small enough to be walkable.
• The cheapest way to get around London is to take the Tube rather than above ground transportation. Using the CityMapper App will help you get around just like a local!
• Chatsworth House is easiest to get to by car, however it is possible to find busses from some of the surrounding cities. Check the Chatsworth website for more information on how to get to Chatsworth.

Let’s Talk!

Have you been to any of these locations? Do you want to go? Have I left anywhere out? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

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