Join us for a very special guided tour of Jane Austen’s House, exploring this special building and discovering its secrets – from Witches’ marks in the cellar to bricked up doorways, mathematical tiles and pub brawls.

Whilst today we think of the House in terms of its significance to Jane Austen, it has many more stories to tell. Already 300 years old when Jane Austen moved in, over its long life it has been used as a farmhouse, a coaching inn and tenement housing, as well as being the home and workplace of a one of the world’s most beloved novelists.

On this fascinating tour, you’ll learn about the origins of the building, its development over time, acquisition by the Knight family in 1769, and its murderous history as a village pub.

We’ll move on to explore the life of the House after the Austen women – who lived here and what are their memories? And of course, discover the fascinating story of the founding of the museum by dedicated Austen fans, who couldn’t bear to see her old home falling into disrepair. How did a rusty old iron grate kick-start the story of the museum, and how did the House become a war memorial?

This event will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Museum in 1949, bringing the story right up to date, from late 15^th century right up to the present day.

Details:

Date: Friday 12 July

Time: 9am-10am

Location: This event will take place at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us.

Tickets: £19.50

Dress Up Day is one of our favourite days of the year. Get a head-start on the festivities by joining this special guided tour of Jane Austen’s House, in full Regency dress!

As part of a small group, you will enjoy an early morning tour of the House before it is open to the public. Before we begin, we’ll make sure everyone is correctly attired – either come in your own Regency dress or borrow what you need from our dressing up box.

Once we are happy with our appearance we’ll explore the House, walking in Jane Austen’s footsteps through rooms that she knew and loved. In each room, you’ll discover precious objects from Jane Austen’s life, from her father’s Mahogany bookcase to her sister Cassandra’s hand-stitched sampler, Jane’s turquoise ring and the topaz crosses belonging to Jane and Cassandra, to first editions of her novels and her own hand-written music books.

With plenty of opportunities to chat and ask questions along the way, this unique tour will transport you back in time to get a sense of Regency life and to experience the House in a new way.

Details:

Date: Saturday 13 July 2024

Time: 9am – 10:30am 

Location: This event takes place at Jane Austen’s House. Find us

Tickets: £19.50

⏰ The Guided Tour will last around 1 hour, 9-10:30am includes time for dressing up!

‘I do not want any such pursuit to get me out of doors. The pleasure of walking and breathing fresh air is enough for me, and in fine weather I am out more than half my time. Mamma says I am never within.’

Northanger Abbey

~

This fun, relaxed guided walk will take you back in time, to discover the village Jane Austen knew and loved. Before we begin, we’ll make sure everyone is correctly attired – either come in your own Regency dress or borrow what you need from our dressing up box.

Once we are happy with our appearance we’ll walk in Jane’s footsteps and learn about her love of nature, village life, houses and views she knew, and the importance of village life in shaping her writing.

Throughout the walk, short readings from Austen’s letters and novels will bring her world to life.

Your event ticket also includes House admission so you can explore the House that Jane knew and loved, and enjoy the pretty cottage garden, vintage garden games and family activities.

After the walk, why not enjoy a well-earned cup of tea at Cassandra’s Cup, opposite the Museum? (Bookings must be made separately, visit Cassandra’s Cup website)

Details:

Date: Saturday 13 July

Time: 12-1pm

Location: This event starts from Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us

Tickets: £16.50

The guided walk will depart from Jane Austen’s House at 12pm promptly. Please make sure you arrive in good time to join the group.

 The walk is suitable for all abilities, but please wear sturdy, sensible footwear and bring a bottle of water and sun cream or an umbrella – depending on the weather!

This event ticket includes access to Jane Austen’s House and garden on the event day. 

Accessibility: This walk is primarily along pavements, however there are some uneven areas and one stop is on grass. It may not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. If you would like more information about the accessibility of the route, please contact us at enquiries@janeaustens.house

“How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way!” 

Pride and Prejudice  

Join us for a delightful evening view of Jane Austen’s House. As twilight falls, you’ll experience the House in a whole new way, just as the Austens would have done as they closed the shutters, lit the candles and settled down for the evening.  

When you have seen the House, relax in the pretty cottage garden and enjoy a delicious feast of pizza and Prosecco, available to purchase and enjoy in the museum garden where you can picnic on a garden bench or picnic blanket. Garden games and Regency dress are all part of the fun!  

To tie into our Mansfield Park exhibition, we will be channelling Mary Crawford and enjoying the melodious sound of live harp music as it drifts out across the garden. 

Details: 

Saturday 13 July 

6pm – 8.30pm (last entry 7pm, close at 8.30pm) 

Location: This event will take place at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us 

Tickets: Regular admission 

🍷 Pizza and Prosecco/other drinks will be available to purchase. Please let us know of any dietary requirements upon booking, so we can make sure you are catered for. 

Please ensure you select the correct date and time when booking your ticket!

💐  This event is part of our Anniversary Festival celebrating the life of Jane Austen, who died in Winchester on 18 July 1817. 

Join us for an exclusive preview of scenes from a specially commissioned new adaptation of Mansfield Park, performed in the garden at Jane Austen’s House by performers from the Guildford School of Acting.

While the master of the house Sir Thomas is away, the young residents and their guests decide to rehearse their own version of the most fashionable new play in town, Lovers’ Vows by Elizabeth Inchbald – a romantic and scandalous drama of illegitimate children and wayward fathers that leaves our heroine Fanny Price in a moral quandary. It’s all very well for the posh folks to act in plays. But should she, a poor girl living on the goodwill of a rich family, get involved in such immoral behaviour as rehearsing a scandalous romance – especially when it means she will have to look on as the man she secretly adores performs love scenes with another woman? And what happens if Sir Thomas returns and discovers them all at it?

This unique presentation comprises scenes from a new version for the stage of Jane Austen’s classic novel, which will receive its full premiere in Guildford in May 2025. The adaptation is written by rising star playwright Louis Emmitt-Stern, who has recently seen his work staged in London at the Vaults and Soho Theatre. Louis is resident playwright at the Oxford Playhouse.

The performance is directed by Darren Tunstall, Associate Professor at Guildford School of Acting, whose career in theatre, film, TV and radio spans over 30 years.

The performance will be followed by the chance to meet the cast and creative team for a post-show talk.

In case of wet weather, the performance will take place in the Learning Centre.

Details:
Date: Thursday 25 July
Time: 3.30pm – 4.45pm
Location: This event takes place at Jane Austen’s House. Find us
Tickets: £13.50
**This event is now fully booked**

‘she was moreover noisy and wild, hated confinement and cleanliness, and loved nothing so well in the world as rolling down the green slope at the back of the house.’

Northanger Abbey

This fun, relaxed family walk will take you back in time, to discover the village Jane Austen knew and loved. Inspired by Jane’s hoard of over thirty nephews and nieces, we’ll be dressing up, telling stories, playing games, crafting and making memories along the way.

Together we’ll walk in Jane’s footsteps and learn about her love of nature and village life, and see some of the houses and beautiful country views she knew over 200 years ago. We’ll keep it fun with stories, games and activities, and of course plenty of opportunities to chat, share ideas and questions – we want everyone to be involved!

The walk will be led by our brilliant guides, whose enthusiasm and love for Austen is infectious! Throughout the walk they’ll share stories and readings, initiate games and lead activities to help bring Jane’s world to life.

This walk is particularly aimed at families with children aged 8+ but all are welcome!

After the walk, we’ll offer squash and biscuits (or tea for grown ups!) in the Learning Centre, and you’ll be free to explore the House or to play our vintage garden games in Jane’s pretty cottage garden – or why not stroll over the road to the lovely parkland area opposite? There are plenty of picnic benches, swings and climbing activities to keep your little ones busy!

If you’re making a day of it, you might also enjoy a snack or lunch at Cassandra’s Cup, opposite the Museum (bookings must be made separately, visit Cassandra’s Cup).

Find out more about our family facilities…

Details:

Date: Friday 26 July 2024

Time: 10:00 – 11:30am (British Summertime)

Tickets: £19.50 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children – but we know that families come in all shapes and sizes so please contact us if you have a different family set up and we’ll make it work!)

Location: This event starts from Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us

⏰ The guided walk will depart from Jane Austen’s House at 10.00am promptly. Please make sure you arrive in good time to join the group.

👪 This walk is particularly aimed at families with children aged 8+, but all are welcome!

☂️The walk is suitable for all abilities, but please wear sturdy, sensible footwear and bring a bottle of water and sun cream or an umbrella – depending on the weather!

🍪 After the walk we’ll serve squash and biscuits (or tea!) in the Learning Centre. Please let us know of any dietary requirements after booking. 

🎫 This event ticket includes access to Jane Austen’s House and garden on the event day. 

Accessibility: This walk is primarily along pavements, however there are some uneven areas and one stop is on grass. It may not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. If you would like more information about the accessibility of the route, please contact us at enquiries@janeaustens.house