Jane Austen House & Museum

Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton

Nr Winchester, Hampshire

 

Born in 1775 - celebrating her 250th anniversary in 2025

 

Time in Winchester for lunch then proceed to Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire. It is the only house where Jane lived and wrote which is open to the public as a museum. All visits to the Museum are self guided and on your visit to Jane Austen's House Museum , you will be able to explore the house where Jane Austen lived and wrote.

 

Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life in this unpretentious cottage in Hampshire from 1809 until 1817. It was in this house that Jane’s genius flourished and where she was free to write. The cottage itself houses our collection of Jane Austen artefacts whilst retaining the charms of the early 19th century home that Jane would have known.

 

Visit the bakehouse and kitchen where the domestic side of life was managed by the ladies of the house.

 

Enjoy the peaceful English cottage garden and imagine Mrs. Austen in her smock digging up the potatoes (much to her daughters' embarrassment). You are welcome to bring your own food and picnic in the garden. Our purpose built Learning Centre houses interactive exhibits which are fun for all the family.

 

And don't forget to browse our museum shop. We stock a large selection of souvenirs and hold a comprehensive range of Jane Austen literature.

 

The gardens:

Although no record of its layout exists, it is probable that this garden was of simple country cottage style with little formal design. The original garden was bigger with an orchard, and also a large vegetable patch which Jane’s mother tended. The present garden shows an extensive range of plants known in Jane Austen’s time and includes wild flowers common to this area of Hampshire.Take photographs and enjoy the garden wildlife amongst the flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs in a beautiful setting beside the old village green.

 

Celia Simpson, Head Gardener, has cared for this garden for over 16 years and welcomes help from volunteers to keep it looking beautiful all year round.

 

Please note: Due to the age and historic nature of the museum site you may find that some of the flooring is slightly uneven and some of the door frames may be lower than you are used to, please take care during your visit. 

Winchester Jane Austen