Over the weekend of the 9 and 10 July, we are hosting the Chawton House Summer Special.
A weekend full of fun and exciting events, there is sure to be something across these two days that will delight you, your family and friends.
Saturday 9 July 2022
Manydown: A Staged Reading
Join us during the evening of Saturday 9 July for a staged reading of Sarah Rose Kearns’ play Manydown. This thirty-minute performance imagines the conversation between Jane and Cassandra Austen on the evening of Harris Bigg-Wither’s proposal, which changed the course of Jane’s life, and may have been a turning point in English literature.
Doors will open at 6pm, with the House and Gardens remaining open to wander around. At 7pm you can collect your glass of Pimms or a Mocktail before finding a seat in the marquee ahead of the performance commencing at 7:30pm. Following the reading, Sarah Rose Kearns will be joining us for a Q&A session.
Sunday 10 July 2022
Celebrating Chawton House
Enjoy £4 entry to Chawton House and take part in the celebrations. Explore the stunning summer gardens, visit the House and discover four hundred years of history, play traditional games on the South Lawn and enjoy storytelling sessions with actress Sasha Dean. Anita from Hampshire Hawk Walks will also be joining us on the South Lawn throughout the day.
Pre-booking is advised for Celebrating Chawton House but tickets will be be available to purchase on the day from the Tea Shed.
Summer Afternoon Tea on the South Lawn
Make your visit to our Celebrating Chawton House event even more special by treating yourself to a Summer Afternoon Tea. Take a seat inside the marquee and enjoy a scrumptious selection of seasonal treats including traditional finger sandwiches, a sweet scone with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of sweet treats. For those seeking to make the occasion even more memorable, you can add a glass of Strawberry Prosecco to your booking.
Pre-booking is essential for the Summer Afternoon Tea on the South Lawn.
A Concise History of the Chawton House Gardens
Join Head Gardener Julia Weaver for a fascinating talk in the Great Hall on the history of the stunning Chawton House Gardens. Julia will look into what we know about the gardens before the 1700’s and the spaces you see today, including the Wilderness (1720), the Walled Garden (1820), Lower Library Terrace and Upper Library Terrace (1904). She will also explore how individual Knight family members were influenced by garden fashions to create a ‘family’ garden at Chawton House.
Pre-booking is advised for this talk but limited tickets will be be available to purchase on the day from the Tea Shed.