20 of the best Jane Austen sites to visit in England

Are you a die-hard Jane Austen fan or a literary lover who dreams of visiting the sites linked to one of England’s most famous authors? If the answer is yes, then look no further! We have done the research for you and compiled a list of 20 of the best Jane Austen locations in England. From where she lived to where she died, this list covers it all.

1. Steventon, Hampshire
Let’s start with where it all began. Steventon, a small village in Hampshire, is where Jane Austen was born and spent the first 25 years of her life. Although her childhood home is no longer standing, you can still visit the church where her father was a rector and where she worshipped.

2. Chawton, Hampshire
After her father’s retirement, the Austen family moved to Chawton, a village in Hampshire. This is where Jane wrote and revised some of her most famous works, including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Her former home, now known as Jane Austen’s House Museum, is open to the public and offers a glimpse into her life and writing process.

3. Winchester, Hampshire
Jane Austen’s final resting place is in Winchester Cathedral, a beautiful medieval church in Hampshire. She passed away in Winchester at the age of 41 and was buried in the cathedral’s north aisle. Fans can pay their respects at her grave and also visit the Jane Austen memorial in the cathedral’s south aisle.

4. Lyme Regis, Dorset
Lyme Regis, a charming seaside town in Dorset, is where Jane Austen set her novel Persuasion. Fans can walk along the famous Cobb, a stone pier that features in the novel, and visit the Jane Austen Centre for a deeper understanding of her connection to the town.

5. Bath, Somerset
Bath was a popular destination for the wealthy in the 18th century, and it features prominently in two of Jane Austen’s novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Visitors can take a walking tour of the city to see the places mentioned in the books, such as the Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room.

6. Lyme Park, Cheshire
Fans of the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice will recognize Lyme Park as the stunning location for Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate. This grand country house in Cheshire is open to the public and offers guided tours of the house and gardens, as well as a peek into the filming locations used in the iconic BBC series.

7. Lacock, Wiltshire
Lacock, a picturesque village in Wiltshire, is another filming location for Pride and Prejudice. The village’s historic streets and buildings were used to portray Meryton, the town where the Bennet family resides. Visitors can also explore Lacock Abbey, which was used as the interior of Mr. Darcy’s estate.

8. Godmersham Park, Kent
Godmersham Park, a stately home in Kent, was owned by Jane Austen’s brother, Edward. She often visited the estate and used it as inspiration for some of her novels. Although the house is not open to the public, the gardens and parkland are, and visitors can imagine themselves in one of Jane’s stories while strolling through the grounds.

9. Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire
Stoneleigh Abbey, a grand country house in Warwickshire, was the inspiration for Sotherton Court in Mansfield Park. Jane Austen visited the estate with her mother and sister and was so taken with it that she used it as the setting for one of her novels. Visitors can tour the house and gardens and see the room where Jane stayed during her visit.

10. Bath Assembly Rooms, Somerset
The Assembly Rooms in Bath were a popular social gathering place in the 18th century and feature prominently in Northanger Abbey. Visitors can take a tour of the rooms and imagine themselves attending a ball or concert, just like the characters in the novel.

11. Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
Chatsworth House, a magnificent stately home in Derbyshire, was used as the exterior of Pemberley in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Visitors can explore the house and gardens and see the famous sculpture of Mr. Darcy emerging from the lake.

12. Haddon Hall