A perfect full-day trip from London to discover an authentic English countryside village with unique ties to one of the world's most famous writers.
Chawton is a charming Hampshire village located in the South Downs National Park, featuring picturesque thatched-roof cottages, a beautiful park, and a romantic Gothic church.
More importantly, though, Chawton is the place where Jane Austen lived happily for the last eight years of her life and wrote most of her novels, including the final version of Pride and Prejudice.
Jane Austen's House, located in the centre of the village, and Chawton House, the manor house inherited by Jane's brother Edward, are widely regarded as the best places to immerse yourself in the world of this extraordinary writer.
2025 is the perfect year to visit Chawton, as it marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, and Jane Austen's House and Chawton House are planning numerous cultural events in the village.
On my 90-minute tour in English, I will take you on a journey to discover the village that Jane Austen knew and loved, and I will give you a glimpse of what life is like in an English village based on my daily experience as a resident of Chawton.
The tour starts and ends in front of Jane Austen’s House and departs promptly at the specified time, so be sure to arrive on time so you don’t miss the start.
The walk is not strenuous, but I recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for England’s unpredictable weather. To check the weather conditions, you can visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653293.
The tour takes place on pavements but, for a couple of short sections, also on grassy and dirt areas, so it may not be suitable for wheelchair or mobility scooter users.
If the tour is not available on your preferred date, please contact me at the email address provided above. Depending on my work commitments, I will try to accommodate your needs.
After my tour, you can visit Jane Austen's House or Chawton House. The links to book are provided below:
Jane Austen's House: janeaustens.house
Chawton House: chawtonhouse.org
I recommend booking your visit to Jane Austen's House in advance, as admission is limited and, with the worldwide celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, a large number of visitors are expected this year.
In Chawton, there is a pub, The Greyfriar, which is directly opposite Jane Austen's House, and two tea rooms: Cassandra's Cup, located next to the pub, and The Old Kitchen, inside Chawton House. At both, you can enjoy light meals, excellent homemade cakes, or a cream tea or cappuccino.
Children under 8 years old can join my tour for free.
