Chawton House: home to early women’s writing

‘I went up to the Great House between 3 & 4, & dawdled away an hour very comfortably.’ Jane Austen, 1814

Walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps as you visit the ‘Great House’ owned by her brother Edward where she spent much of her time. Plan your visit

‘Edward is very well and enjoys himself as well as any Hampshire born Austen can desire. – He talks of making a new Garden…’ Jane Austen, 1813

Explore the beautiful landscaped gardens More about the gardens

‘You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me’ Jane Austen, 1815

Enjoy a slice of homemade cake or a light lunch in the Old Kitchen Tearoom without paying an admission fee. Menu

‘We four sweet Brothers & Sisters dine today at the Great House. Is not that quite natural?’ Jane Austen, 1815

See the table where Jane Austen dined with her family, and view her brother’s suit, travel journal and portrait. Plan your visit

‘Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!’ Jane Austen, 1814

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring the corridors of the Elizabethan manor house. Plan your visit

‘When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library’ Jane Austen, 1813

Breathe in the leather bound books in the library and hear tales from the fascinating collection of early women's writing More about the collection

What’s on

More events

Monday 17th February 2020 to Thursday 30th April 2020

Library Display: Conservation and Acquisitions

Monday 2nd March 2020 to Wednesday 30th December 2020

Exhibition: Man Up!

Monday 2nd March 2020 to Sunday 26th April 2020

Gallery Display: All About Emma

Saturday 28th March 2020 to Sunday 31st May 2020

Artist takeover: Claire Lewis Photography

***HOUSE & GARDENS CLOSED***

Please note that the House and Gardens are closed at present, due to Government advice following the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. Please keep an eye here and on our social media channels for updates.

Help us to keep the house, grounds and library going today. Donate now

North American Friends can donate here.

The ‘Reading with Austen’ website.

This site digitally recreates of the Library of Godmersham Park, as Jane Austen would have seen it. Click here to explore the Library, and here to read the blog.

Latest news

More news

1st April 2020

Our curator introduces Chawton House's collection

Our curator Emma Yandle explores the breadth of our collection and introduces her work to make it more accessible to the public. My job, as

28th March 2020

Chawton House's #rainbowsofhope

Inspired by #rainbowsofhope we at Chawton House are teaming up with Jane Austen’s House to highlight some of our favourite objects in our collections, focussing

19th March 2020

Coronavirus update (24 March)

**Update following the Prime Minister's announcement on 23 March on the latest restrictions** After much careful consideration and in response to the latest Government advice,