Spring Fling! 1 – 4 May 2026

We are delighted to announce that our joyful spring festival will return in May 2026. Spring Fling! will fill a long bank holiday weekend with a glorious and packed programme of events, giving us much to look forward to and enjoy as the seasons change, the sun makes an appearance and the House and garden look their best!

The festival will feature a programme of special events on themes of hope and new beginnings, with a particular focus on Jane Austen’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility. It will run from Friday 1^st to Monday 4^th May, and tickets are now on sale!

We kick off with a relaxing and mindful Embroidery workshop led by inspiring local artist Helen Sill. Taking your inspiration from the blooming cottage garden, you’ll blend historical techniques with modern textiles to create your own embroidered Spring Sampler.

On Saturday we will be joined by acclaimed playwright Simon Reade who will present a fascinating talk on his acclaimed stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice; and by writer and broadcaster Lucinda Hawksley who will lead an elegant Sense and Sensibility Salon – join her for tea and swap your Sense and Sensibility stories!

On Sunday we’re delighted to welcome actress and writer Beckis Cooper who will present her fun-filled new play From Chawton – bringing some of Jane Austen’s best-loved characters to life! There is also the option to join Beckis after the show for a lively post-show discussion and to learn about her writing process.

Festival favourites include our ever-popular Objects in Focus, led by an expert member of our Collections team, themed House Tours and our popular Guided Chawton Village Walk.

We’re also looking forward to a delightful talk on Jane Austen and the Pleasures of Spring, reflecting on springtime scenes and themes of hope and renewal in Jane Austen’s novels, letters and life story – this talk will be delivered both in person and online.

Free events throughout the festival include daily pop up talks, and peaceful Drop in and Read and Drop in and Draw sessions.

The festival includes a number of special virtual events so Jane Austen fans around the world can join in the festivities online. Virtual events include a lively talk on Sisterhood in the worlds of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, co-hosted by Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, and a calming and inspiring Online Calligraphy Workshop led by Laura Edralin. All online events will be recorded for ticket-holders to watch again later if they wish.

To help you get the most out of the festival programme, Full Day Passes are available with options for Saturday 2^nd (morning tour) and Saturday 2^nd (twilight tour) and for Sunday 3^rd May.

A Virtual Festival Pass is also available for those wishing to attend all three virtual events.

See below for the full festival line-up and to book tickets! 

Full programme:

Friday 1 May
9am: Embroidery Workshop: Spring Sampler with Helen Sill
11am: Pop up talk: Sense and Sensibility
1pm: Pop up talk: Pictures & Portraits
2-4pm: Drop in and Read
8pm: Virtual talk: Jane Austen and the Pleasures of Spring*

Saturday 2 May
9am: House Tour: Sense & Sensibility
10.15: Sense & Sensibility Salon with Lucinda Hawksley
11am: Pop up talk: Sense and Sensibility
12pm: Talk: Adapting Pride and Prejudice for the Stage with Simon Reade
1pm: Pop up talk: Pictures & Portraits
2pm: Talk: Jane Austen and the Pleasures of Spring
4.30pm: Twilight Tour: Sense & Sensibility
7:30pm: Virtual calligraphy workshop: Spring!*

Sunday 3 May
10am: Village Walk
11am: Pop up talk: Sense and Sensibility
12pm: Village Walk
12pm: Live performance: ‘From Chawton’
1pm: Pop up talk: Pictures & Portraits
2pm: Live performance: ‘From Chawton’
3.30pm: ‘Page to Stage’ – post show discussion with Beckis Cooper
8pm: Virtual talk: From the Dashwoods to Cranford, with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House*

Monday 4 May
11am: Pop up talk: Sense and Sensibility
11.15am: Objects in Focus: Sense and Sensibility and Spring
1pm: Pop up talk: Pictures & Portraits
2-4pm: Drop in & Draw