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Abstract

s fell into place.</p><figure id="b66d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*_B5eaHGGU_tbxQLCeFsCoQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Image taken by the author, Alison Wood</figcaption></figure><p id="5d88">As we drove into the village, I was really excited. I love history, books, pretty villages and oh yes, tearooms — <i>so I was at anticipation level 100</i>!</p><p id="419a">We parked relatively easily, although in the high Summer season a parking space isn’t always so quick to find, and made our way to Jane Austen’s House.</p><h1 id="6588">Visiting the House</h1><figure id="7be7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*bjkF-E0pbcs-mjp_XTHgRQ.png"><figcaption>Image taken by the author, Alison Wood</figcaption></figure><p id="90e1">For the best source of information on the house, it’s best to check out the <a href="https://janeaustens.house/">JaneAustens.house website</a>, as they have the lowdown on opening hours, how to book tickets, plus they highlight upcoming events, and they feature some great <a href="https://janeaustens.house/learn/education/">learning resources</a>.</p><p id="f743">The house is such an important literary and historical site that it is also supported by several <a href="https://janeaustens.house/support/ambassadors/">Ambassadors</a> and you can read more about them at the link.</p><p id="154b">I first found out about the Ambassador program when <a href="https://lucyworsley.com/">Lucy Worsley</a> became an ambassador (I have a little history crush on her!) and she has featured in a TV program on Austen (sometimes on BBC iPlayer for those in the UK), and written a book, <i>Jane Austen at Home</i>. This is definitely worth a read if you love Jane’s books or are interested in this historical period.</p><h1 id="90bc">My Experience</h1><p id="65a5">Anyhow, I digress. The bottom line is that I loved, LOVED, visiting the house and garden. The house itself is not huge (it is, after all, a ‘cottage’ in a village), but there is so much to learn and see as you go around it.<

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/p><p id="5ab3">It’s also pretty much as it was when Austen lived there, with its creaking stairs and low doors, and for me that just makes it so much more real. I love thinking about how Jane worked at her tiny writing desk or helped her mother and sister in the kitchen.</p><p id="6520">The garden too is beautiful and on our first visit I sat on a bench, closed my eyes, and listened to the birdsong. I could almost imagine Jane moving around tending to the flowers. Maybe I just have a very vivid imagination, but for me, it’s one of the most evocative places in terms of celebrating a life.</p><figure id="9c5b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*O8sf9otQEXRs4GBHFKzMqA.png"><figcaption>Image taken by the author, Alison Wood</figcaption></figure><h1 id="9782">Tea and Cake</h1><p id="ad4f">Another highlight of any visit to Chawton is having a cuppa and some cake (oh go on then, I really shouldn’t) in <a href="https://cassandrascup.co.uk/">Cassandra’s Cup</a>. This is a super cute tearoom opposite Jane Austen’s House and is named for Jane’s sister. This is worth a visit for all varieties of deliciousness, but also because it gives you an amazing view of Jane’s House from the window.</p><figure id="0d85"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*AfSHOEm10fFOkjpOuXFTxQ.png"><figcaption>Image taken by the author, Alison Wood</figcaption></figure><p id="9b96">I have been back to Chawton many times since and I’m looking forward to visiting again once life gets a little bit back to the ‘new normal’. The house is open now though so check it out if you want to head along and visit.</p><p id="1565">If you just want to read more about Jane and her life then I also recommend the biography <i>Jane Austen: A Life</i> by Claire Tomalin. I read this quite a few years ago now and loved it.</p><p id="60d0"><i>Originally published at <a href="https://cartwheelsacrossthesky.com/visiting-jane-austens-house-chawton/">https://cartwheelsacrossthesky.com</a> on August 22, 2020.</i></p></article></body>

Jane Austen’s House, Chawton

My first visit of many

The last year or more has seen most of us very limited in terms of where we can visit. While many things are now opening back up — with care — our horizons are still close to home.

Therefore, I thought now was a good time to share a few places I have visited in the past and loved. We can all pay a visit (virtually) and enjoy what’s on offer, and hey, maybe even plan a trip in the future.

I thought I would start with Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, UK as this is one of my favourite places to spend time. Yes, I think if you like the novels of Austen it’s definitely going to have added appeal, but even if you just enjoy history and visiting picturesque English villages, this one is going to float your boat.

My First Visit

I can’t remember exactly when I first visited Chawton, but it has to be about ten years ago. I had long known the house was there, and it was on my to-do list, but I just hadn’t found the time to go.

The first time we drove to Alton, which is the closest town to the village of Chawton, we couldn’t find the village itself. It didn’t help that it was late in the day, and my navigation skills weren’t quite up to par!

By now though, my excitement was piqued and I wasn’t going to let any lack of map reading ability stand in my way. The following Saturday we set off early and I was going to let nothing, nothing I tell you, stand in the way of me visiting the house. Even if I had to stop and ask every person in Hampshire where Chawton was, we were going to get there.

As it turned out that (thankfully) wasn’t necessary and on the second visit we came upon the signs to the house easily and all the pieces fell into place.

As we drove into the village, I was really excited. I love history, books, pretty villages and oh yes, tearooms — so I was at anticipation level 100!

We parked relatively easily, although in the high Summer season a parking space isn’t always so quick to find, and made our way to Jane Austen’s House.

Visiting the House

For the best source of information on the house, it’s best to check out the JaneAustens.house website, as they have the lowdown on opening hours, how to book tickets, plus they highlight upcoming events, and they feature some great learning resources.

The house is such an important literary and historical site that it is also supported by several Ambassadors and you can read more about them at the link.

I first found out about the Ambassador program when Lucy Worsley became an ambassador (I have a little history crush on her!) and she has featured in a TV program on Austen (sometimes on BBC iPlayer for those in the UK), and written a book, Jane Austen at Home. This is definitely worth a read if you love Jane’s books or are interested in this historical period.

My Experience

Anyhow, I digress. The bottom line is that I loved, LOVED, visiting the house and garden. The house itself is not huge (it is, after all, a ‘cottage’ in a village), but there is so much to learn and see as you go around it.

It’s also pretty much as it was when Austen lived there, with its creaking stairs and low doors, and for me that just makes it so much more real. I love thinking about how Jane worked at her tiny writing desk or helped her mother and sister in the kitchen.

The garden too is beautiful and on our first visit I sat on a bench, closed my eyes, and listened to the birdsong. I could almost imagine Jane moving around tending to the flowers. Maybe I just have a very vivid imagination, but for me, it’s one of the most evocative places in terms of celebrating a life.

Tea and Cake

Another highlight of any visit to Chawton is having a cuppa and some cake (oh go on then, I really shouldn’t) in Cassandra’s Cup. This is a super cute tearoom opposite Jane Austen’s House and is named for Jane’s sister. This is worth a visit for all varieties of deliciousness, but also because it gives you an amazing view of Jane’s House from the window.

I have been back to Chawton many times since and I’m looking forward to visiting again once life gets a little bit back to the ‘new normal’. The house is open now though so check it out if you want to head along and visit.

If you just want to read more about Jane and her life then I also recommend the biography Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin. I read this quite a few years ago now and loved it.

Originally published at https://cartwheelsacrossthesky.com on August 22, 2020.