A perfect day trip from London to discover an authentic English country village that has unique connections to one of the most famous writers in the world.
Chawton is a charming village in Hampshire, in the South Downs National Park, with fairytale thatched cottages, a beautiful park and a romantic Gothic church.
But above all, 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 universally considered the best places to immerse yourself in the world of this extraordinary writer.
On this 90-minute tour in Italian, I'll take you to explore the village that Jane Austen knew and loved, and I'll give you a taste of what life is like in an English village, based on my own everyday experience as a resident of Chawton.
The tour starts in front of Jane Austen's House and leaves promptly at the scheduled time, so be sure to arrive on time so you don't miss the start.
The walk is not strenuous, but I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for the unpredictable English weather. To check the weather conditions, you can visit the BBC Weather website.
The tour follows pavements but, on a couple of short stretches, also crosses grassy and unpaved areas, so it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility scooters.
After my tour, you can visit Jane Austen's House or Chawton House. I recommend booking your visit to Jane Austen's House in advance, as admission is limited and demand is always very high.
In Chawton, there is a pub, The Greyfriar, which is right 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 places, you can enjoy light meals, excellent homemade cakes, or savour a cream tea or a cappuccino.
Children under 8 years old can join my tour for free.
