Lost in Austen Country, part II

Jane Austen's House, Chawton, Hampshire

Here’s the last part of Charlotte’s trip to Jane Austen’s world (read part I here):

After a huge breakfast the next morning, we set out walking. Our first stop was the Jane Austen’s House Museum in the nearby village of Chawton. We spent the morning learning more about Jane Austen, who lived in the house during the last eight years of her life.

We then headed out for a long walk in her footsteps. Before leaving Sweden, we had printed a copy of a very useful “literary walk” found on the website of East Hampshire District Council (PDF).

With the map in hand, we guided ourselves through the beautiful countryside, past pretty cottages and the church where Jane Austen’s mother and sister are buried. It was thrilling to know that these were the paths she used to walk and the houses she used to visit. We climbed gates and hedges with the intro to the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice ringing in our heads. This might seem strange, and it was, but it turned out my sister was constantly humming it.

Cecilia finally met lovely Mr Darcy

Just as we were getting tired of taking pictures of sheep’s and horses, we approached the village of Upper Farringdon. Having removed our muddy boots, we had a nice lunch at the Rose and Crown.

After a visit to the museum bookstore (where some of us spent a lot of money), we enjoyed a cream tea at Cassandra’s Cup, a tea house across the road from the museum.

We caught an early evening train and returned to London in time for dinner. It would be possible to visit the Alton/Chawton area in one day but then you would miss out on the comfortable beds and the lovely breakfast.

Charlotte

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