Top 10 Jane Austen Locations In The UK

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As a Jane Austen fan myself, I know the power these stories can hold. Those who love Jane Austen often, really love Jane Austen.

It makes sense to want to get closer to someone who has had an impact on you – even if they are long dead. Jane Austen has had an impact on many and lived a fascinating life.

I have had a wonderful time visiting these locations linked to Jane Austen’s work and life. I want to help you do the same.

Who is Jane Austen?

• Jane Austen was a novelist born in 1775.
• She wrote the famous novels Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility; Emma; Mansfield Park; Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
• These novels were first published anonymously due to expectations of women of the time. It was simply noted that they were “written by A Lady”.
• Jane Austen had a talent for portraying human nature and critiquing regency society.
• Her books remain some of the most beloved to this day, inspiring multiple popular film and TV adaptations.

Why should you visit these Jane Austen locations?

• They’re beautiful. Many of these places are stunning, historical locations and make for some stunning sights.
• They give an insight into Jane’s life. You will be able to understand the life the author lived and why she wrote the works she did.
• Visiting will aid your enjoyment of the novels. It is much easier to imagine Anne and Wentworth walking the streets of Bath when you’ve actually visited.
• It’s fun! Many of the locations have exciting exhibitions and experiences to enjoy that are linked to Jane Austen. It can make for a very enjoyable day out.
• Sometimes it is easy to feel distant from a writer who died so long ago, no matter how much you enjoy their work. Seeing locations linked to her can help you feel much closer to her.

10 Best Jane Austen Locations To Visit In The UK

Bath

• The novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion are both set in Bath.
• Jane lived here between 1901-1906, and enjoyed fashionable society here.
• You can visit the Jane Austen Centre. Here you can meet your favourite Austen characters and learn about the author’s life.
• The Jane Austen Festival also takes place here every year – complete with Regency dance lessons and Regency ball.
• Take a walk in Sydney Gardens – the UK’s only surviving Regency pleasure gardens. Here you can walk the same steps that Jane would have walked while she was living here.
• Holboune Museum also gives a rich insight into the Regency society of Bath.
• Many Jane Austen adaptations are filmed here, as well as other Regency dramas such as Bridgerton. Even just walking around the town can help you feel more immersed in Austen’s world

Check out my post on the Jane Austen Centre in Bath here.

Chawton

• There are two separate locations linked to Jane Austen in the town of Chawton in Alton.
• The first location is Chawton House, where Jane’s brother lived during her lifetime.
• It is now owned by Jane Austen’s remaining descendants and is open for the public to visit.
• It is home to The Centre of the Study of Early Women’s Writing.
• Also in Chawton is the nearby Jane Austen’s House – an absolute must-visit for any Austen fan
• This is where Jane lived during a large proportion of her life. It now hosts a museum paying tribute to Jane, her works, and her history.
• This house is particularly significant, as it is where Jane wrote the majority of her novels.
• They have an enormous collection of Jane Austen-related items. This includes her writing desk, letters, jewellery and first editions of her novels.

Check out my post on Chawton House here to find out more.

Winchester

• Winchester is not too far from Chawton, a mere 15 miles away. This is where Jane spent the last few years of her life.
• She retired to a house situated at 8 College Street.
• This is now a private property, however you are able to see the house from the outside.
• Austen’s grave can be found at Winchester Cathedral, and can be visited by anyone who wishes to pay their respects.
• Here, you will be able to view a memorial designed by Jane’s brother as well as the later addition of a memorial window.
• Next to her resting place is an exhibition, which documents Jane’s years in Hampshire.

London

• Despite never living in London herself, Jane visited here multiple times. She also set many scenes of her novels here.
• Locations she would have stayed while visiting London include Cork Street, 64 Sloane Square, 10 Henrietta Street and 23 Hans Place.
• These locations may not be open to the public, or may not exist in their original state anymore, but it can be exciting to see the locations in which Jane actually stayed whilst in the city.
• There is a beautiful tribute to Jane Austen at Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey – the section of the Abbey that pays tribute to the UK’s most beloved writers.
• Another fun spot to visit is the Twinings store on Strand – the shop from which Jane and her family bought their tea!
• You can visit some locations that feature in Jane’s novels too.
• St Clements Church is where Wickham’s marriage to Lydia takes place, and Grovesner Street is where Jane goes to visit Caroline Bingley.
• Berkeley Street is where Elinor and Marianne stay in Sense and Sensibility.
• Brunswick Square is the home of the not-so-humble Isabella Knightley in Emma.

Peak District

• The Peak District is most famously linked to the Bronte sisters, but it has strong links to Jane Austen too.
• It is most famously linked to her novel Pride and Prejudice, and is a great place to visit if you’re a fan of this one in particular.
• Bakewell is said to have been the inspiration for Austen’s Lambton – where Lizzie Bennett stayed with her aunt and uncle, as Jane may have been working on the novel during her visit here
• Mr Darcy’s home, Pemberley, is located in the Peak District, and is likely based on Chatsworth House
• Two historic houses in the Peak District have been used as Pemberley in adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. These are Chatsworth House in the 1995 BBC series, and Lyme House in the 2005 film. Both are open to visitors.

Jane is said to have stayed in The Rutland Arms during her visit, and it is said to have been the inspiration for the Lambton Inn. The most amazing thing is that it is still open to guests, making it the perfect place to stay for Austen fans in the area.

Read more about visiting the Peak District here, so you can make the absolute most of your visit to this beautiful national park.

Lyme Regis

• Jane visited Lyme in both 1803 and 1804, and wrote in her letters about walking on the Cobb, and dancing in the assembly rooms – both still in existence.
• Pyne House is supposed to be where Jane stayed during her visits. While not open to the public, there is a blue plaque to have your photo taken with.
• Lyme Regis museum has a lovely collection of items linked to Austen, including, all donated by members of her family.
• A Jane Austen memorial garden was erected at the end of Marine Parade, and makes for a pleasant visit with gorgeous views.
• Lyme Regis is best known due to it’s significance in the novel Persuasion.
• The Cobb is the location of the walk that Anne Elliot and her party take down to the sea.
• The steps connecting the lower and upper part of The Cobb, known as ‘Granny’s Teeth’ are the most likely location for Louisa Musgrove’s dramatic incident.
• Lyme Bay is also written about favourably in the novel when visited by the characters and was almost certainly visited by Jane too.
• The town, Cobb and bay are used as filming locations in many adaptations of Persuasion, including the 1995 and 2007 versions.

Brighton

• Brighton has a slightly less significant link to Austen, however, it is definitely still worth a mention.
• This is the town which Lydia visits before her famous elopement with Mr Wickham.
• It is also the setting for Jane Austen’s unfinished novel Sanditon.
• Brighton was known for its many parties and balls during the Regency era, and it is probably due to this that Austen based some of her writing in this town.
• A great spot to visit while here is the Brighton Pavilion, where you can enjoy the stunning Regency architecture and interior design.
• The Pavilion Museum also holds an exhibition on Brighton during the Regency era, allowing you to explore the significance it may have held for Jane and her characters.
• Brighton is still known for its many bars, clubs and venues, so make like Lydia and go out for a party while you’re in town!

Wiltshire

• Wiltshire is a great place to head for those who are into the Jane Austen adaptations, as it has been used for multiple filming locations.
• The #1 spot to visit is the Stourhead Gardens.
• These are beautiful gardens you are able to take a relaxing walk in, but Pride and Prejudice fans will recognise the Temple of Apollo found here.
• The Temple of Apollo is the spot in which Mr Darcy proposes to Lizzie in the 2005 adaptation of the novel, and is one of the most iconic scenes in the whole film.
• Another spot to visit is Wilton House – a favourite filming location for many productions and used in many Austen adaptations.
• The interiors were used in Pride and Prejudice (2005), as well as serving as the interior of Mr Knightley’s estate in Emma (2020). It also features in the beloved Sense and Sensibility (1995).
• It has also been used as a filming location for the shows The Crown, Bridgerton and Young Victoria, so if you’re also a fan of any of these too, then you will have an extra special visit.

Lacock

• Lacock is not only an iconic filming location for Jane Austen adaptations but also one of the most famous filming locations in the entire UK in general.
• Lacock Abbey’s cloisters serve as Cambridge University in Pride and Prejudice (1995), which Mr Darcy can be seen walking through in the series.
• The high street serves as Meryton in the same adaptation. It is used so frequently throughout the series that it is instantly recognisable to any fan.
• The Red Lion also served as the exterior to the Assembly Rooms of Meryton. Mr Darcy can be seen arriving here in Pride and Prejudice (1995). In reality, this is one of the top spots in Lacock to pop in for a meal – and you can even book a room here to stay overnight.
• Church Street was the filming location for the village of Highbury, in the extremely popular film version of Emma (1996).

If you want to read more about Lacock, read about it in my post about the cutest villages in the Cotswolds by following this link.

Firle

• This is one for my Emma lovers out there.
• Firle Place served as Hartfield – Emma’s home – in Emma (2020) starring Anya Taylor-Joy
• It was a very iconic location in the film due to its bright, pastel colours. This makes the interiors of the building immediately recognisable.
• You are able to visit the house and browse the rooms used in the film.
• The house was also home to an exhibition discussing Regency dress – the period in which Emma is set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

There are so many amazing places to visit to learn more about Jane Austen’s life and work. Visiting this spots can really help you feel closer to one of the most beloved authors of all time. I have had so much fun visiting the places on this list, and it can be so exciting for any Austen fan to visit. Even my non-Austen fanatics that I’ve dragged along to these places have enjoyed their visits to these interesting and beautiful places.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please feel free to leave a comment letting me know – I’d love to know if I’ve inspired you to visit any of these wonderful Jane Austen locations.

Thank you so much for reading my post and I hope to see you back here again soon.

Ta-ta for now! x