I visited Jane Austen’s house last year: here is what I thought about the whole day
Dear Readers, It has been almost a year since I vistied Jane Austen’s house in Chawton. Now, I reflect on the experience almost one year on.
It has been almost a year since I made the trip to the little town of Alton to see Jane Austen’s house and her brother’s former house, Chawton House. If you have been following the Period Drama Journal for a time, you will know there have been many films made of Pride and Prejudice, arguably, Austen’s most famous novel out of the six she had completed fully. So, any fan of period drama or Jane Austen would no doubt be intrigued by these two significant landmarks in Jane’s life. In this very special article, you will hear about these two places and an exclusive listen (to my amateur piano playing) on Jane Austen’s own pianoforte.
Chawton House
It was a last minute decision to visit Chawton House and I definitely did not regret visiting. The first thought that came to mind when I stepped in was ‘National Trust’, but the place is privately owned. For the uninitiated, The National Trust look after many historical buildings and sites such as Basildon Park in Berkshire where they shot 2005 Pride and Prejudice. Basildon Park played the part of Mr Bingley’s house, Netherfield. The National Trust have a good reputation for keeping their houses true to how they looked in their ‘hay day’ so looking at Chawton house was quite pleasing.
Nevertheless, all of the staff were so attentive and willing to answer any questions we may have had and were on hand to direct us around the place. On our visit, we were provided with a lot of information about the family who owned Chawton House and how Edward Austen, Jane’s brother, had inherrited it.
Most of the rooms were open to public viewing including a library that even Mr Bennet would be envious. Featuring many rare and old books, the library was quite tucked away as a consistent temperature and lighting had to be maintained to preserve those precious tomes.
During our visit, there was a Brönte exhibition in the library and we were lucky enough to view a lock of Charlotte Brönte’s hair which was one of the more memorable exhibits. Whilst in the library, there was a lady who talked through the books that were there pointing out the notable ones, showed us a secret drinks area, and answered any questions. Later, you will also see there was an exhibition at Jane Austen’s House on the making of Pride and Prejudice.
Chawton House’s impressive gardens were the picture of a perfect English country house, the beauty of going during the spring meant there were many flowers in bloom. There were many benches scattered around the little wilderness out there, so perfect for a picnic whilst taking in the nature and bliss of the English countryside. As we had only a few hours at Chawton House, we were not able to explore the entire park. So we settled for short stroll around, took some photos, as it was so photogenic, and took the short walk to Jane Austen’s house which was in the town.
Jane Austen’s House
Situated in the town, the house was said to have once been a pub or public house in the past. For it was convenient for travellers on their way to or from London. Austen’s house was on the main road and gave access to anemeties. In order to make the place more homeley, the front windows were bricked up and the front door was shifted to the place where it is now.
The first thing that greets you as you enter is the washing on the line in the back garden. In a small hut, there are many child friendly activities to keep the children engaged during the visit perhaps an effort to involve the younger generation in the literary world. Then, it is onto the kitchen which was fully equipped with period specific kitchen items. A curiosity that stood out for me was an oriental looking bowl and I have picture here for your benefit.
It was then to the main part of the house where we were greeted by the lovely original wall paper. The first room you enter is the drawing room or sitting room. Jane’s famous writing desk is one of the prominent items in the room alongside her pianoforte - much smaller than modern pianos. I was fortunate enough to be able to play it during my visit and I recorded the sound.
Jane’s piano gives a very distinct noise, to which the modern ear would denote as out of tune. However, due to the age of the instrument, it would likely be difficult to tune. The instrument itself, was very interesting to play, the sound wasn’t the most powerful as you might expect and hear from the recording. In the recording I play small extracts from some peices to sample the sound of the instrument. I present here Jane’s pianoforte played by me.
Several other rooms were open to the public including: the dining room, Jane’s bedroom, and a small room in memoratum of Jane’s sailor brother showing navy memorabilia. Assuming that the whole house was reconstructed into how it used to be in Jane’s day, they did really well, as once you entered it really felt like you had stepped back in time.
For a limited time, they have an exhibition on the making of Pride and Prejudice. During our visit we were able to see it. The rooms featured some exhibits showing the different productions of Pride and Prejudice, the very rare Peacock edition of Pride and Prejudice, and a screen showing the different adaptations made through out the years.
Lastly the back garden had to be visited. Luckily for us, it was a bright and sunny day so we just relaxed in the garden taking in the vitamin D and rare sunny weather. In the ‘little wilderness’ there was a stone bench and it proved to be a great vantage point to just enjoy viewing the garden and house from a distance.
Getting there and what you should know when you plan your trip
Jane Austen’s house and Chawton House are both accessible by car, however, on this occasion, public transport was our only means of getting there. The closest town with a railway line is Alton, which is a typical town in the countryside. We spent some time there browsing the book shops and window shopping.
However, it is not that straight forward to get to Austen’s house from Alton on foot. It is the ultimatum of either crossing a busy main road or going through a tunnel which is risky.
So that we wouldn’t have the same ultimatum when going back to Alton to catch our train home, we decided to take the bus. Also, note, Alton train station is quite small, so don’t expect your journey to be direct.
A great addition is if you decide to visit Jane Austen’s house again within 12 months of your last visit, the ticket is still valid and you can visit again without purchasing another ticket. This is certainly worth it and helps you make the most of your ticket. Though it is not the same for Chawton House. If you would like to go again, you would have to purchase another ticket if it isn’t an all year ticket. However on this particular trip, going to Chawton house was an appropriate and perfect addition to our day. What made it better was the peace and serenity of the countryside, going on a weekday and not during a holiday meant that the place was not as busy. I would certainly recommend going during quiet times so it isn’t as busy.
Final thoughts
Jane Austen’s house is definitely a must see for any Austen fan, as perhaps it is considered a place of literary pilgrimage.
Our day at Jane Austen’s and Chawton house was hugely enjoyable. Not only is this visit a must for any period drama enthusiast or Jane Austen fan, but an excellent opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city or town. Depending on which season you favour, the untamed natural beauty of the countryside is unbeatable and these two houses are situated in areas really worth exploring and worthy of a hike. So, I look forward to visiting again sometime soon - before my ticket runs out!
