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Jane Austen's House, Chawton

 

After a somewhat precarious life as an unmarried woman and struggling author, in 1809 Jane Austen finally found security in the Hampshire village of Chawton. Her rich brother bought her a house in this village, and she lived here with her sister. The house at Chawton is now a museum to Jane Austen. Her writing table is on display, along with other items related to Jane and her family. The bookcase contains first editions of her novels.

The house has a very feminine air. Mannequins display the fashions that Jane and her friends would have worn. The item I found most striking was the writing table. It was tiny, the table top only the size of a small drinks tray. This was no power desk. It was here that Jane Austen turned her small world into the books that found something big in small things, while puncturing big pomposity and showing the smallness in it.

Opening Times: In January and February opening is restricted to Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am until 4.30pm. During March, April and May and from September until January 1st the house is open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm (closed December 25th and 26th). And during June, July and August open daily 10am to 5pm.

Directions: Chawton is just off the A31 in Hampshire. Leave the M25 at junction 10, follow the A31 until you reach Alton. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred over Jane Austen's House.

Access: The ground floor and the gardens are accessible to wheelchair users.

Contact:

phone: 01420 83262

web site: www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk