A treat for any Jane Austen fan, my 5 day itinerary of the must-see Jane Austen locations in England covers her homes, inspiration and final resting place.
In 2025, Jane Austen’s England has been named the top destination on The New York Times list of 52 Places to Visit, a clear signal of the enduring global appeal of the beloved author. 2025 also marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, making it the perfect time to embark on a tour of the best Jane Austen locations in the UK. As one of Britain’s most distinguished novelists, Jane Austen captured the lives of the 18th-century landed gentry, inspiring generations of readers worldwide and countless film and TV adaptations. This 5 day itinerary guides you on a tour of the best of England’s Jane Austen sites from her childhood home in Steventon, to the charming village of Chawton where she spent her final years, the elegant Regency architecture of Bath which was Jane Austen’s home and inspiration and her final resting place in Winchester Cathedral. Visiting the places Jane Austen lived and the places that shaped her novels is a must for any Austen enthusiast. Setting off on a tour of Jane Austen’s England offers a delightful blend of history, literature, and timeless charm.
This 5 day itinerary will guide you through a tour of the must-see Jane Austen locations in England including Jane Austen’s house, places that she visited and inspired her novels and Jane Austen festivals and experiences.
- Why this 5 day short break is the best way for Jane Austen fans to see the most important sights
- How to travel between the key Jane Austen locations
- Jane Austen timeline and key locations
- 5 day itinerary of the must-see Jane Austen locations in England
- If you’d prefer to join an organised tour these tours from Southampton come top rated by other travellers
- If you liked this then consider including Stonehenge in your itinerary
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Why this 5 day short break is the best way for Jane Austen fans to see the most important sights
This itinerary has been designed to visit the top 5 Jane Austen locations in England covering Jane Austen’s birthplace at Steventon; Bath and Southampton, the two cities that she lived in; Chawton where she spent the last eight years of her life; and Winchester which is where she died and where you can visit Jane Austen’s grave. This guide covers the key places to visit for any Jane Austen fan including Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the Jane Austen Centre in Bath as well as key Jane Austen festivals and exhibitions. If you are interested in other locations reminiscent of the era then read my guide to Jane Austen film locations.
How to travel between the key Jane Austen locations
This 5 day itinerary covers just over 100 miles. Travelling by car between locations would be most convenient. If you are visiting the UK from overseas then consider hiring a car for the trip. However, it is possible to use public transport if you prefer.
By car Steventon, Chawton, Winchester and Southampton are all accessed via the M3. Bath is accessed from the M4 but connects to Southampton via the A36. Driving times will be about 30 minutes each day for the first 3 days. Southampton to Bath (for days 4 and 5) would take just under 2 hours.
Via public transport the number 64 bus connects Chawton to the railway station at Winchester and from there are rail services to Bath, via Southampton.
Jane Austen timeline and key locations
- Steventon - Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, on 16 December 1775. She spent the first 25 years of her life here.
- Bath - she moved to Bath with her family in 1801, but the sudden death of her father in 1805 left Jane, her sister, and her mother, in a precarious financial position.
- Southampton - the three women arrived in Southampton in 1806 and they moved in with Jane’s brother, Frank.
- Chawton – In 1806 Jane and her family took the cottage now known as Jane Austen’s House in the village of Chawton, where she lived for the last eight years of her life.
- Winchester - Jane died in nearby Winchester on 18 July 1817, aged just 41, and you can visit her grave in Winchester Cathedral.
5 day itinerary of the must-see Jane Austen locations in England
Day 1: Steventon and Chawton
Located just 15 miles apart Steventon and Chawton are the small Hampshire villages where Jane Austen was born and where she lived the last years of her life. Steventon was Jane Austen’s birthplace – her father was Rector of the church in Steventon for 40 years until he retired in 1801. You can visit the church which has remained much the same as it was in Jane Austen’s day. The location of the family home is marked by a lime tree which is said to have been planted by her brother James. The Overton Jane Austen Trails cover walking and cycle trails in the countryside around Steventon which follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen.
Half an hour away by car is Jane Austen’s House at Chawton which is said to be ‘the most treasured Austen site in the world’. This is where Jane Austen lived for the last eight years of her life and the place where she wrote her six famous novels – Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
The house at Chawton is packed with objects from Jane Austen’s life including her jewellery, paintings, letters, items of clothing, books, and furniture, including her writing table. There are regular guided tours of the house which allow you to explore where Jane Austen wrote, played the piano and whiled away time in her bedroom. Audio played around the house make it sound much as it would have done when Jane lived there including short readings from Jane Austen’s novels, conversations drifting from one room to the next, music being played in the drawing room, and creaking floorboards overhead. You can also explore the cottage garden where Jane Austen and her family would have enjoyed glorious summer evenings.
There are loads of events held each month so consider timing your visit to coincide with something that interests you including writing and poetry workshops, walks and talks. There is a special 250th anniversary programme of events including a new permanent exhibition Jane Austen and The Art of Writing.
Other places to visit nearby:
- Bombay Sapphire Distillery – experience the unique and historic gin distillery and sample one of the many tours, experiences and tastings available.
- Highclere Castle – the setting for Downton Abbey and Capability Brown landscaped gardens.
Where to stay near Steventon and Chawton
Steventon and Chawton are small villages and so you will need to travel a short distance for hotel accommodation. The following hotels come highly rated by guests and are within easy reach of Steventon or Chawton:
- Oakley Hall Hotel, Basingstoke – a grand 18th century Georgian Manor House with individually designed, elegant rooms
- The Binsted Inn, Alton – comfortable rooms with modern amenities
- The Anchor Inn, Lower Froyle – a traditional country pub with luxurious rooms
- The White Hart, Overton – a premium village inn with charming bedrooms
Day 2: Winchester
Jane Austen died at No. 8 College Street in Winchester on 18 July 1817, aged just 41. She had spent the final weeks of her life here receiving treatment for her declining health. Jane Austen was buried in Winchester Cathedral and you can visit her grave in the north aisle of the nave. In the summer of 2025, as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, Winchester College will open No. 8 College Street to the public for the first time and Winchester Cathedral is planning a commemorative service, special interest talks about Jane Austen’s novels, and the unveiling of a Jane Austen statue in October. At Winchester City Museum, a new permanent display will celebrate Jane, marking her final days.
Other places to visit in Winchester:
- The Great Hall - built by William the Conqueror the Great Hall is one of the finest medieval halls in England and houses the legendary ‘King Arthur’s’ Round Table.
- Watercress Line Steam Railway - just seven miles from Winchester and named after the watercress historically grown locally and transported by train all over the country. You can join the line at Alresford or Alton.
- Winchester: Historic Castles and Cathedrals Walking Tour - hear about the legend of King Arthur as you wind down the high street to Winchester Cathedral and walk the banks of the River Itchen.
- Private Winchester Walking Tour – walking tour accompanied by a historian to explore the Winchester, formerly the ancient capital of England.
Where to stay in Winchester
Winchester has wonderful city centre hotels and is also surrounded by ancient country inns and houses. The following hotels come highly rated by guests and are within easy reach of key sites in the town centre or in the surrounding countryside within easy reach of Winchester:
- Lainston House – 17th century country house hotel in 63 acres of parkland with elegant bedrooms.
- The Chestnut Horse – country inn with comfortable rooms.
- The Winchester Hotel and Spa – just 5 mins from Winchester train station, modern hotel with luxury spa facilities.
- Winchester Royal Hotel – charming hotel in the heart of Winchester with elegant and spacious rooms, 5 mins walk from the cathedral.
Day 3: Southampton
When Jane Austen lived in Southampton the city looked very different from today. The Austen house would have had one of the city walls along one side of the garden and was probably near what is now the Juniper Berry pub. From here, in the 1800s the city walls looked out across Southampton Water but this land has all now been reclaimed to build Southampton Docks. From Southampton Jane Austen is likely to have visited Netley Abbey which is thought to have been the inspiration for Northanger Abbey.
There is a Jane Austen Heritage Walking Trail to commemorate her time in Southampton accessible here alongside other Jane Austen 250 events in Southampton.
Other places to visit in Southampton:
- SeaCity Museum – celebrating Southampton’s connection to the ocean the SeaCity Museum includes highlights such an exhibition charting Southampton’s unbreakable connection to the Titanic Story the tragic ship which left Southampton on its maiden voyage.
- Solent Sky Museum – connects visitors to Southampton’s past as a thriving centre for aviation including being home to the birth of the Spitfire and the Empire Flying Boats, the largest flying boat operation in the world which took passengers on week-long voyages to far flung parts of the British Empire.
- Southampton City Art Gallery – home to an inspiring collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures and events throughout the year.
- Walking tours of the city
Where to stay in Southampton
Southampton has a great mix of historical and contemporary hotels which make the most of the city’s bustling streets and waterfront location. The following hotels come highly rated by guests and are within easy reach of the town centre:
- Harbour Hotel & Spa – located at the iconic Southampton Harbour, a modern hotel with world class service.
- No.4 Carlton – luxurious rooms and 5 star experience at this city centre hotel.
- Ennios Boutique Hotel – a converted warehouse facing Southampton Water, Ennios is an Italian restaurant with boutique rooms.
- THE PIG in the Wall – city centre hotel located adjacent to Southampton city walls with unique rooms.
- The White Star Tavern – sharing a name with the infamous Titanic White Star Line this 19th century inn is now a contemporary hotel on cosmopolitan Oxford Street renowned for its excellent bars and restaurants.
Day 4 and 5: Bath
All of Jane Austen’s six novels mention Bath, and two of them (Persuasion & Northanger Abbey) are based in this incredibly well preserved UNESCO World Heritage city, many parts of which Jane Austen would recognise.
The building and streets that feature in Jane Austen’s novels are largely still here and Bath makes the most of its history as a spa town as it would have been when Jane Austen lived here. Bath is therefore, perhaps the most authentic Jane Austen experience. You can visit the places Jane Austen visited and make the most of the Georgian splendour and Jane Austen experiences laid on for visitors.
Here are my top 4 Jane Austen inspired places to visit in Bath.
- Visit the Jane Austen Centre in the heart of Bath which celebrates all things Jane Austen and Georgian Regency. You can even enjoy a Regency afternoon tea.
- Experience the Jane Austen Festival, an annual 10 day festival run by the Jane Austen Centre including a Regency Costumed Promenade (over 1000 people in Regency dress), guided walks, costumed balls, and theatrical performances.
- Look in awe at the instantly recognisable Royal Crescent and drop into No.1 Royal Crescent to experience life above and below stairs in 18th century Bath.
- Enjoy a sample of the spa water from the fountain at The Pump Room which would have been the social heart of Bath for Jane Austen. It is a super location for a meal or afternoon tea.
Other things to do in Bath:
- Roman Baths with Audio Guide - explore the ancient bathhouses, uncover the remains of a goddess' temple, and taste the mineral-rich spa water.
- Bath Discovery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour – guided hop on hop off bus tour of the iconic Georgian sights of Bath.
- Guided Walking Tour – experience the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath with a fully-qualified and professional tour guide.
Where to stay for a Jane Austen experience in Bath
- Stay in Jane Austen's Family Home in Bath from 1801 to 1805 - built in 1794, 4 Sydney Place was the Bath home of Jane Austen and her family and this stunning apartment was once the kitchen and butler's pantry of the Austen home. It now provides spacious accommodation in rooms packed with original Georgian features.
- The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa was already an iconic Bath landmark by the time Jane Austen lived in the city. The five-star hotel offers you the chance to stay the night on the iconic Royal Crescent in one of their elegant rooms or suites.
- Hotel Indigo Bath is spread across 5 townhouses which are steeped in history having opened their doors to Sir Walter Scott, William Wilberforce and the Duke of York. The themed bedrooms nod to the city’s heritage including their ‘Literary Hideaway’ rooms with décor inspired by Bath’s famous authors including Jane Austen.
- The Francis Hotel is on the edge of Queen Square, a location we know Jane Austen visited. A hotel since the late 1800s, the Francis Hotel is housed in a Grade I listed building which has been recently refurbished to its eighteenth-century glory.
- No. 15 by GuestHouse is located on the iconic Great Pulteney Street. Every room packed full of original, Georgian features and the hotel is within a few metres of Sydney Gardens, a location frequented by Jane Austen.
If you’d prefer to join an organised tour these tours from Southampton come top rated by other travellers:
- Jane Austen's Birthplace & Winchester Day Tour – from Southampton visit Jane Austen’s birthplace in Steventon, her home in Chawton and her final resting place in Winchester.
- Private Day Tour To Bath And The Cotswolds – full day tour from Southampton to Jane Austen’s Bath and the Cotswolds.