Chawton House is taking part in East Hampshire’s first ever literary festival!

Between 2 and 10 October the area’s first nature and literary festival will celebrate local literary greats and their love of the East Hampshire countryside. 

Follow in the footsteps of author Jane Austen, our first ecologist and naturalist Gilbert White, the wartime poet Edward Thomas and more with the Creative Footsteps festival. 

Enjoy short guided nature walks, writing and poetry workshops, garden tours, trails, yoga and more.

The programme

Saturday 2 October

Mindful autumn nature walk and poetry-writing workshop at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. 

10am–12.30pm, £25 per person.

Storytelling nature walk around Selborne.

10.30am–12pm, or 1.30–3pm, suitable for ages 5+, £5 per person.

Edward Thomas Literary Festival at Petersfield Museum.

A wide range of events.

Sunday 3 October

Walk in the footsteps of the First World War-time poet Edward Thomas, starting at Bedales School.

10am–1pm, from £6 per person.

The Poetry of the Gardens. A garden tour at Chawton House

2–3.30pm, £5 per person.

Monday 4 October

Walk and discussion starting at Gilbert White’s House with nature writer, conservationist and composer Laurence Rose.
11am–1pm, £10 per person.

Estate walk at Chawton House.
2–3.30pm, £5 per person.

Tuesday 5 October

Photography workshop at Chawton House.
10am–1pm, £45 per person including light lunch.

Wednesday 6 October

Autumnal flora ‘Selborniensis Walk’ around Gilbert White’s Selborne.

11am–1pm, £10 per person.

Curator’s tour of Botanical Women at Chawton House

2.30pm–3.30pm, £12 per person, includes House admission.

Thursday 7 October

An introduction to Jane Austen in Chawton.
11am–12.30pm, £5 per person.

Learn about Gilbert White’s Alton from local historian Jane Hurst at the Allen Gallery.

7.30–9pm, £6.50 per person.

An introduction to Obstinate Headstrong Girls, led by Jane Austen’s House Museum.
7.30–8.30pm via Zoom, £5 per person.

Friday 8 October

Walking tour of Gilbert White’s Alton.
11am–12.30pm, £5 per person.

Yoga workshop hosted by Chawton House.
9.30–10.30am, £10 per person.

Saturday 9 October

An introduction to Jane Austen in Alton.

11am–12.30pm, £5 per person.

Autumn Walk and Workshop: Persuasion at Jane Austen’s House.
10am–12.30pm, £25 per person.

Sunday 10 October

Book launch for Nicola Chester’s On Gallows Down.
2pm, other details TBC.

All events may be subject to change. Check the website for details.

For more information and event bookings, visit: easthants.gov.uk/creative-footsteps

#CreativeFootsteps

Creative Footsteps and the Welcome Back campaign are brought to you by East Hampshire District Council with funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the government.