Jane Austen Part 4 | gary-cralle

Jane Austen's World

Enter a time capsule of important sites in the life of the celebrated author.
PART 4

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Chawton House, Hampshire, Britain

“I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other.” — Emma

Chawton House and gardens are a mere 10-minute walk from Jane Austen House and Museum. The Elizabethan manor house is a treasure trove of Austen memorabilia. Jane's childhood was spent in a small cottage on the estate owned by her brother Edward. Steventon, the site of St Nicholas church for which their father was the vicar, lies 24km / 15 miles southeast.

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Overton Post Office, Hampshire, Britain

“The Overton Scotchman has been kind enough to rid me of some of my money, in
exchange for six shifts and four pair of stockings.” — Jane Austen

Both from Steventon and from Chawton there are walking trails to nearby villages that follow routes familiar to Jane. The trail from Chawton to Alton is a 41 minute 1.9 mile walk. Steventon to the formerly busy sheep market town of Overton where Jane's brother James was curate would be a leisurely 1 hour 2.5 mile walk. All of Jane's letters were sent from the Overton Post Office which I photographed after happening upon a spirited wake in the nearby White Hart pub.

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Jane Austen House, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” — Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen House Museum is where Jane lived with her family from 1809 to1817. It holds a rare collection of letters, artifacts and furniture which will take a good 1-2 hours to fully digest. Surrounding houses delightfully complete the atmosphere of an early 19th century village.

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Jane Austen House and adjacent cottage, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Jane Austen House and Museum, a docent speaking to visitors, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

Museum docents are happy to chat and explain the museum's history. A lengthy conversation with Martin filled in fascinating historical details about house and family I wouldn't normally be aware of. After her father's death, Jane, her sister and mother (both named Cassandra) were offered 2 properties in which to live by her brother Edward. They preferred this cottage over a larger property in Kent so they could remain close to people they knew. As a family centre, along with Chawton House, these were happy times.

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Jane Austen House and Museum, rector George Austen's book case, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

The house has a lengthy history. Chawton itself is first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Four kings have stayed in the house as a hunting lodge — Henry I and Edward I,II, III. Over time, as Chawton gradually became a backwater, the household furniture was sold and the building changed hands. Two prized pieces now occupying the house are Rector George Austen's book cabinet (above) and a small table said to be Jane's writing desk (below). The novels Emma and Persuasion reference the sort of life that Jane was living while here (despite Persuasion being set in Bath.)

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Jane Austen House & Museum, Jane Austen's desk, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

author Jane Austen newspaper advertisement, Jane Austen House & Museum, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

Newspaper advertisements promoting Jane's books are an example of historical information throughout the house. Incidentally, if you think you have computer woes, take note that before putting pen to paper Jane had to make her own inks. She used a 1,400 year old recipe of 'purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids' from a growth on oak trees created by wasps. Stick that in your ink well and write like Jane!

Jane Austen 250th birthday, Jane Austen House & Museum, lawn chairs, Chawton, Hampshire, Britain

“A fondness for reading, properly directed, must be an education in itself.” — Mansfield Park

After touring the museum, have a sit in the yard with a book from the store before popping into the cozy shop across the street to contemplate whether Jane's detailed observations of Regency society are your cup of tea.