A perfect 21 Day Jane Austen Itinerary (Heathrow to Heathrow)

Have you ever dreamed of stepping into the world of Jane Austen, the beloved author of classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility? Do you long to see the places where she lived, worked, and ultimately left her mark on English literature? Well, look no further because we have the perfect 21-day itinerary for you to follow in the footsteps of this literary great.

Drawing on our extensive knowledge of the best Jane Austen sites to visit in the U.K, we have carefully curated this itinerary to cover all aspects of Jane’s life and legacy. So pack your bags, grab your copy of her novels, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the world of Jane Austen.

Day 1-3: Hampshire

We begin our journey in Hampshire, the birthplace of Jane Austen. Start your day with a visit to Steventon, the village where Jane was born and spent the first 25 years of her life. Take a walk around the village and see the church where her father was the rector. You can also visit the rectory, where Jane wrote her first three novels.

Next, head to Chawton, the village where Jane spent the last eight years of her life. Visit the Jane Austen’s House Museum, where she wrote and revised her most famous works. You can also see the Chawton House Library, once owned by Jane’s brother, which now houses a collection of early women’s writing.

Day 4-6: Bath

No Jane Austen themed itinerary is complete without a visit to Bath, a city that played a significant role in her life and works. Start your day with a visit to the Jane Austen Centre, a museum dedicated to the author. Here, you can learn about her life, see artifacts from her time, and even dress up in Regency costumes.

Next, take a stroll through the city and see the places mentioned in her novels, such as the Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room. You can also visit the Royal Crescent, a famous landmark featured in many adaptations of Austen’s works.

Day 7-9: Lyme Regis

Continue your journey to Lyme Regis, a charming seaside town that inspired the setting of Austen’s novel Persuasion. Take a walk along the Cobb, the iconic sea wall that features in the novel, and visit the Lyme Regis Museum to learn more about the town’s history and its connection to Austen.

Day 10-12: Oxford

Next, we head to Oxford, where Jane’s father sent her and her sister to study. Take a tour of the University of Oxford to see the colleges and buildings that Jane would have been familiar with. You can also visit the Bodleian Library, where Jane’s father was a member, and see the Jane Austen display.

Day 13-15: London

No trip to the U.K would be complete without a visit to its bustling capital, London. Start your day with a visit to the British Library, where you can see some of Jane’s original manuscripts, including the unfinished novel Sanditon. Next, head to the British Museum to see the Jane Austen portrait, believed to be the only known portrait of the author.

Day 16-18: Winchester

Our next stop is Winchester, where Jane is buried in the Winchester Cathedral. Take a tour of the cathedral and see her gravestone, which makes no mention of her writing career. You can also visit the house where Jane stayed during her final days and see the Jane Austen’s Grave Trail, which takes you to places mentioned in her novels.

Day 19-21: Cornwall

Our final stop takes us to Cornwall, a beautiful coastal region that inspired the setting of Austen’s novel, Sense and Sensibility. Take a walk along the rugged coastline and see the picturesque villages that feature in the novel. You can also visit Prideaux Place, a grand estate that is said to have inspired the Dashwood family’s home, Norland Park.

As our 21-day journey comes to an end, we hope you have experienced the world of Jane Austen in a unique and meaningful way. From her birthplace to her final resting place, we have covered all aspects of her life and legacy. So, if you have always dreamt of following in the footsteps of this literary great, now is the time to make that dream a reality. Happy travels!