Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most celebrated authors in literature. Her wit, creation of memorable characters and social commentary are just some of the many reasons why readers celebrate her work and return to her writing over and over. You read the books and the letters her life. Well, Janeites are in luck! We get to travel in Austen’s footsteps by visiting some of the historical places in the UK. If you are thinking of venturing across the pond and want to begin your Austen Trail, here are historic places that need to be on the top of your list. A few of these places I have visited personally and others I would like to visit or explore, so we both need to start saving now!

Jane Austen House Museum

Alton, England

No list can be complete without the Jane Austen House Museum. I’ve been there twice and I love it! Apart from the interesting historical artifacts, you have the gorgeous surroundings to make it a perfect outing.

Chawton House

Chawton, England

Located not too far from the Jane Austen Museum, Chawton House was the house of Jane’s brother Edward. Now, the house’s library is open to visitors along with the gardens..

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester, England

Here is where Jane Austen is buried. Her memorial gravestone makes no mention of Austen’s literary achievement. However, a few feet away from the gravestone, there is a gold memorial plaque honoring her as a writer. But visiting the city of Winchester is also a treat. Nearby is the house where Austen passed away (marked by a blue plaque; however, the house is not open to the public), and now, a life-sized sculpture of Austen outside the cathedral commemorates the 250th anniversary of her birth.

The Jane Austen Centre

Bath, England

A small museum located in Bath, where Austen lived for a time.

Bath

Somerset, England

After you visit the centre, take the time to explore this historic city and take in the similar sites that Austen may have encountered but also explore the settings of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Visit the beautiful Royal Crescent, the Assembly Rooms, the Roman Baths and so much more! Austen may not have particularly like Bath but you will have hard time not falling in love with this city.

Lyme Park

Disley, Cheshire, England

Pemberley! Or what was used as Pemberley in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Chatsworth House

near Bakewell, Derbyshire, England

Not only used as Pemberley in the 2005 adaptation Pride and Prejudice, it is also one of the estates Elizabeth visited during her lake tour with her aunt and uncle. However, it is Austen visited the house in 1811 and may have used Chatsworth as inspiration in creating “Pemberley”

Box Hill

Surrey, England

Have yourself a Box Hill picnic, just like Emma!

Godmersham Park

Canterbury, England

Godmersham Park was inherited by Austen’s brother, Edward Knight, a distant cousin of the Knight family but adopted by them in the early 1780s. Jane was a regular visitor to Godmersham between 1798 and 1813, and the estate is said to have inspired Mansfield Park. Although the house itself is not open to the public, visitors may visit the grounds and park area. But you can give yourself an idea of what the house may have looked like by reading the book, Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby, a story that is based on events that occurred while the Austen family occupied the house.

Belton House

Belton, Lincolnshire, England

House used as Rosings Park, Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s house, in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice

Steventon Village

Hampshire, England

The birthplace of Austen is a definite must for any Janeite. She and her family lived in Steventon from 1775 to 1801. The rectory where Jane wrote Pride & Prejudice, Northanger Abbey and Sense & Sensibility has been demolished; however, visitors can see where it used to be, marked by an old lime tree. But the Steventon Church is still standing, where the Austens were rectors and Jane worshipped.

Southampton

Hampshire, England

Austen spent many holidays in the fashionable spa city and eventually, moved to Southampton with her mother, sister, Cassandra, her brother, Frank, and his wife, Mary, and their family friend, Martha, from 1806 to 1809. Once you arrive in Southampton, you will come across plaques throughout the city that will highlight points of interests that Jane frequented with her time in the city. You can also browse through the brochure created to commemorate the 250th birthday celebration:

Lacock Village

Wiltshire, England

Location not only used in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice as the village of Meryton and the village of Highbury in the 1995 adaptation of Emma.

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