250 years of Jane Austen: must-visit locations for literary lovers

Your Austen-inspired journey around England

2025 marks a special anniversary for one of Britain's best-loved authors, as we celebrate 250 years since Jane Austen's birth. To honour the occasion, we'll embark on a literary journey through the picturesque landscapes of England that inspired her timeless works, and the subsequent film and TV series that have kept her stories alive. From the charming streets of Bath, where she set the stage for the social intrigues of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, to the serene countryside of Hampshire, her beloved home and final resting place, Austen's life and writings are intricately woven into the fabric of countless destinations around the country.

In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the places that shaped her stories and continue to captivate readers and audiences, including where she lived and worked, where her novels were set, and the locations used for various film and TV adaptations. We’ve also included any notable events taking place in 2025 to mark the 250th anniversary, so you can celebrate the enduring legacy of one of literature's most cherished authors.

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Southern England
Central England
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Jane Austen locations in southern England

Hampshire

Hampshire is the beating heart of Jane Austen Country, having been the author’s home for most of her life. Not only was she born in Hampshire, but she also wrote the bulk of her novels in the county and later died there.

Here are some of the key locations to visit in Hampshire for Jane Austen fans:

Steventon

This small rural village is where Jane Austen was born in 1775, and where she lived for the first 25 years of her life. It is also where she began writing, working on early drafts of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. Steventon Rectory was her family home, where her father was the rector. Sadly, the building was demolished in the 1820s, so you can’t see it today, but there is a plaque to mark the site if you still want to pay homage. Another iconic building here is St Nicholas Church, which Austen attended and where her father preached.

2025 special events: Steventon will be celebrating the 250th anniversary with several special events throughout the year, from exhibitions and flower festivals to concerts and church services. See a full list of events on the Steventon Village website.

Stay nearby: Southfield cottage in Steventon village

Chawton

The historic village of Chawton, on the northern edge of the South Downs National Park, is undoubtedly one of the most important places in Austen’s literary journey, as it is where she became a published author. She revised and completed her most famous novels here, including Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion. She also began writing Sanditon here, although it remained unfinished until after her death. Chawton Cottage, where she lived from 1809-1817 after a brief stint in Southampton, is today known as Jane Austen’s House - a museum where visitors can see her writing table, letters and personal belongings. You can also visit Chawton House, a grand estate owned by her brother, Edward Austen Knight, which is today a museum and research library dedicated to early women’s writing.

2025 special events: Unsurprisingly, Jane Austen’s House is hosting a multitude of events in 2025 to celebrate the author, focussing on different novels throughout the year. The Austenmania! exhibition will run for the whole of 2025, and celebrate 30 years of iconic Austen adaptations since 1995. There will also be a special Jane Austen’s Birthday Celebration Week in December. Find out more info and pre-book tickets on the Jane Austen’s House website.

Stay nearby: Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, 25 minutes' drive from Chawton, or Whitedown holiday home, five minutes' drive away

Winchester

Winchester is another significant Hampshire location in Jane Austen’s story, as it is where she spent her final weeks and where she is buried. She moved to 8 College Street near Winchester Cathedral from Chawton in May 1817 to seek medical treatment, and continued to write Sanditon, although she died before it was completed. Winchester marks the final chapter of Austen’s life, and her grave at Winchester Cathedral remains a pilgrimage site for fans worldwide.

2025 special events: Events to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth include an interactive family trail, a special display of one of her original manuscripts and an extravagant Regency Ball. The celebrations will culminate in the unveiling of a Jane Austen statue. Find out more on the Winchester Cathedral website.

Stay nearby: Marwell Resort, 15 minutes' drive from Winchester, or Lay Your Hat In Winchester cottage, less than 15 minutes' walk from Winchester Cathedral

Gloucestershire

Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle, located near the picturesque town of Winchcombe in the Cotswolds, is a historic and enchanting castle that dates back to the 15th century. Over the centuries, it has been home to royals, nobles and notable figures. More recently, it was featured in the 1996 TV film adaptation of Austen's novel, Emma, which starred Kate Beckinsale in the title role. The castle's grandeur and timeless charm meant it was perfect as the fictional Donwell Abbey, Mr Knightley’s home. In real life, the castle is open daily from spring until autumn, and there are guided tours if you really want to make the most of your visit.

Stay nearby: Croft Farm Water Park, 25 minutes' drive from Sudeley Castle, or Cenwulf Cottage or The Barn Reborn, both a few minutes' drive away

Somerset

Bath

When it comes to famous literary locations in the UK, Bath and Jane Austen often go hand-in-hand. Although the author only actually lived here for five years, from 1801-1806, and did very little writing here, she clearly spent a lot of time people-watching and observing, as it is where several of her novels are set. Most notably, the city features prominently in Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. It was also used in key scenes for both film adaptations of Persuasion, including the 1995 version with Amanda Root and the more recent 2022 version with Dakota Johnson. The Royal Crescent, The Circus and the Pump Room are some of the most iconic sites here. The city is also home to the Jane Austen Centre, and hosts the annual Jane Austen Festival. Walking around the streets here, it’s easy to imagine yourself as a character in one of Austen’s novels, with magnificent Georgian architecture and old-English charm around every corner.

2025 special events: Step into the world of Jane Austen at the Jane Austen Centre – don’t miss the annual Jane Austen Festival in September, where they’ll be pulling out all the stops for the 250th celebrations. Bath Abbey will also be hosting special tours, displays and family activities from April-September.

Stay nearby: Bath holiday cottages or Bath Mill Lodge Retreat

Dorset

Lyme Regis

Although Austen never lived in the South West of England, this part of the UK was already a popular holiday destination in the late 18th and early 19th century, and Austen is said to have enjoyed trips to the seaside. Dorset's Lyme Regis, in particular, was well loved by the Georgians - Austen included - and remains a fashionable seaside resort today thanks to its dramatic coastline and fresh sea air. The most iconic site here is undoubtedly the Cobb, the town’s historic harbour wall. It’s the setting for a pivotal moment in Persuasion – spoiler alert – as it is where Louisa Musgrove’s dramatic fall happens. The 1995 adaptation of the novel uses the Cobb as the filming location for this very scene.

Stay nearby: Seadown Park or Newlands Holiday Park, both around 10 minutes' drive from Lyme Regis. You can also stay a short walk from the Cobb at Coast View Apartment

Devon

Saltram House

Devon is another important destination in the South West of England for Austen, as it features heavily in her first published novel, Sense and Sensibility. The Dashwood family moves to Barton Cottage in Devon from their original family home at Norland Park in Sussex. The 1995 film of Sense and Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant, uses Devon as a key filming location, with Saltram House in Plymouth depicting Norland Park. Today, Saltram House – which features on our list of the top 10 must-visit National trust sites in Devon – is open to the public, offering a glimpse into the lives of Georgian high society.

Stay nearby: Notter Bridge Holiday Park, around 20 minutes' drive from Saltram House, or Old Church School, less than 10 minutes' drive away

Wiltshire

Lacock

If you want to walk in the footsteps of the Bennet sisters – at least the ones depicted in the 1995 BBC Series of Pride and Prejudice – then head for the quaint Cotswolds village of Lacock in Wiltshire. The National Trust-owned village, with its historic cottages and picturesque streets, was used as Meryton, a town which the Bennet sisters visit at various points in the novel. Lacock was also used for some of the scenes in the 1996 film adaptation of Emma, starring Kate Beckinsale.

Stay nearby: Lanes End Farm Airstream, around five minutes' drive from Lacock

Jane Austen locations in central England

Derbyshire

Austen once said there is “no finer county in England than Derbyshire”, so it is no surprise she deemed it worthy to be the prime destination for her most successful novel, Pride and Prejudice.

Here are some of the top places to visit in Derbyshire on your Austen-inspired adventure:

Chatsworth House

Arguably the most famous Derbyshire location for Austen enthusiasts, is Chatsworth House. The magnificent stately home near Bakewell was not only used as Pemberley – Darcy’s estate – in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, but it is believed it may have been the original inspiration for Austen herself. Affectionately known as “The Palace of the Peak”, it is one of England’s most famous stately homes, with its lavish interiors, impressive art collection and beautifully designed gardens.

2025 special events: Chatsworth is hosting a 3-day event to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth, as well as the 20th anniversary of Chatsworth becoming Pemberley on screen. There'll be talks, tours and an open-air showing of the film. Find more details on the Chatsworth website.

Stay nearby: Darwin Forest or Hazlehurst Lodges, both around 15-20 minutes' drive from Chatsworth House

Stanage Edge

If you’re looking to make the most of the great outdoors on your Austen-inspired adventure in Derbyshire, then be sure to visit Stanage Edge. This striking and beautiful ridge of moorland in the Peak District boasts incredible views across the Hope Valley, and served as the backdrop for an iconic scene in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice, where heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightly) encounters Mr Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen).

Stay nearby: Church Bank Cottages or Morton Loft, both around five minutes' drive from the starting point of the walk to Stanage Edge

Northamptonshire

Kirby Hall

Nestled near the charming village of Gretton in Northamptonshire, Kirby Hall is a stunning Grade I-listed Elizabethan mansion brimming with history and character. Built in the 1570s by Sir Humphrey Stafford, this remarkable estate has stood the test of time and played host to numerous film and television productions. Most notably for Jane Austen fans, the estate appeared in the 1999 film adaptation of Mansfield Park, where it stood in for the grand home of Sir Thomas Bertram. Today, the hall is managed by English Heritage, and you can experience the regal atmosphere, towering façade and expansive interiors first-hand - the perfect setting to bring the world of Jane Austen’s classic to life.

Lincolnshire

Belton House

More recently used as the filming location for the Bridgerton spin-off series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a few decades prior, this Grade I-listed estate in Lincolnshire featured in the 1995 BBC Series of Pride and Prejudice. The grandeur of Belton House, with its imposing architecture and beautifully maintained grounds, provided the perfect setting to bring the aristocratic world of Pride and Prejudice to life. In the adaptation, it is used to represent the lavish home of Lady Catherine, emphasising her wealth, power and societal status.

Stay nearby: Belton View, 10 minutes' walk from Belton House

Jane Austen locations in northern England

North Yorkshire

Newby Hall

If you want to experience an Austenesque day out in North Yorkshire, then look no further than Newby Hall, a Georgian masterpiece near Ripon. Although the author is not known to have ever travelled to Yorkshire, the grandeur of Newby Hall meant that it was the perfect setting for the 2007 ITV adaptation of Mansfield Park – with Billie Piper as Fanny Price – which was filmed entirely at the estate.

2025 special events: Catch a live performance of Austen's Pride and Prejudice at the Church of Christ The Consoler in Skelton-on-Ure, Ripon, this September. Visit Newby Hall's website for more info and tickets.

Stay nearby: Allerton Holiday Park, around 20 minutes' drive from Newby Hall

Cheshire

Lyme Park

You don’t necessarily need to have seen the 1995 BBC Series of Pride and Prejudice to have heard about that Colin Firth lake scene. The, now iconic, moment was filmed at the National Trust’s Lyme Park in Cheshire, which was used as Pemberley, Mr Darcy’s estate. Some believe this was the original inspiration for Austen’s Pemberley in the novel, although Derbyshire’s Chatsworth House is also a hot contender. Whilst you can’t recreate the scene by getting in the water, you can still enjoy a romantic wander or “take a turn” around the 1,400-acre grounds, which encompass the lake, house, gardens and deer park.

Stay nearby: Broadcarr Barn, 15 minutes' drive from Lyme Park

Preserving Austen's legacy

As we conclude our Austen-inspired tour of England, it's clear that her legacy is not only etched in the pages of her novels but also in the very landscapes of the country. Each site, from her quaint cottage in Chawton to the grand estates featured in film adaptations, offers a glimpse into the world that inspired her sharp wit and keen observations of society. As we reflect on her remarkable contributions to literature, let us continue to visit and cherish these places, ensuring that Austen's spirit lives on in the hearts of readers and fans for generations to come.

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