Join author and broadcaster (and Austen lover) Lucinda Hawksley for an intimate salon, discussing all things Sense and Sensibility!

Over an elegant repast of tea and cake, Lucinda will share some of her favourite scenes, characters and moments from the novel, and lead a lively discussion on everything from running down hills in the rain to secret engagements, flannel waistcoats and ivory toothpick cases. Who do you love and who do you love to hate in Jane Austen’s first published novel? Do you secretly sympathise with Mrs John Dashwood, or have a fondness for Sir John Middleton? And of course – are you team Sense or Sensibility?

Lucinda Hawksley is an author and broadcaster for TV and radio. In addition to her biographies of the artists Kate Perugini (née Dickens), Princess Louise and Lizzie Siddal, her books include Victorian Christmas, Dickens and Travel, Letters of Great Women, Dickens and Christmas, The Writer Abroad, Bitten by Witch Fever, Charles Dickens and his Circle, and March, Women, March. Lucinda lectures on literature and art history, and she teaches Life Writing for the University of Cambridge.

Lucinda’s literary antecedents come from being a great great great granddaughter of Charles and Catherine Dickens – she is the current President of the International Dickens Fellowship – however she also has a passion for the works of Jane Austen. Her absolute favourite is Persuasion.

Details:
Date: Saturday 2 May 2026
Time: 10.15 – 11.15am
Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us

**This event is available as part our Full Day Pass for Saturday 2 May (with morning tour) and our Full Day Pass for Sat 2 May (with twilight tour) – if you wish to enjoy all the events on this day, one of these is the best option!

☕ This event ticket includes refreshments, please let us know on booking if you have any dietary requirements.

🌺 This event is part of our festival Spring Fling! running from 1 – 4 May 2026