Anniversary Weekend

Join us on 17-18 July for a special weekend of events, in celebration of Jane Austen's life and works.

Jane Austen died on 18 July 1817, aged 41. This year, to mark the 204th anniversary of her death, we will celebrate Jane Austen’s life and works with a special weekend of events. Join us for one or make a weekend of it and come along to everything! If you are holidaying in Hampshire this summer, we can’t think of a more perfect weekend away!

Summer at Jane Austen's House Museum

We’ll begin on Saturday with a Wonderful Walk, taking in Jane Austen’s delightful country village of Chawton. Led by expert and enthusiastic guides, we’ll walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps and learn about her love of nature, 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.

A Village Walk departs from Jane Austen's House

On Saturday afternoon we are all about Emma. Mrs Elton’s Strawberry Picnic will celebrate this most English of novels, beginning with tea on the lawn, and strawberries and cream, amidst the heady scent of the roses. After a picnic that even Mrs Elton couldn’t complain about, we’ll move into the House for a unique guided tour, discovering the rooms where Emma was written.  We’ll finish with an object-in-focus session, looking at our precious First Edition of Emma up close. This is a unique event with very limited capacity, and we think it will be really rather special!

Title page of 'Emma', First Edition

On Sunday, we are giving in to our love of Regency fashion! Dress Up Day is all about dressing up – be it in bonnets and dresses or flowers and feathers. If you have a Regency outfit ready to go, that’s wonderful, but we’re here for DIY dresses too – we can’t wait to see what you come up with! We will be taking photographs throughout the day so if you can’t join us, keep an eye on our social accounts for a glimpse of our favourite outfits!

 

Please note: dressing up is not essential!

Well-dressed visitors to Jane Austen's House

For those who can’t make it to Chawton we’ll finish the weekend with a Virtual Tour – a live, guided tour of the House and outbuildings that you can join from the comfort of your own home – wherever you may be!

Still from Jane Austen's House Virtual Tour, showing the Drawing Room

Our Anniversary Weekend runs from 17-18 July. The events schedule is as follows:

Saturday 17 July:

12pm: Village Walk

4pm/4.30pm: Mrs Elton’s Strawberry Picnic

Sunday 18 July:

All day: Dress Up Day

7pm: Virtual Tour

Capacity is limited so advance booking for all events is essential!