Travel News

Winchester Cathedral is a mecca for Jane Austen fans. According to the austenonly blog, the Cathedral has recently installed a new display about Jane Austen.

Many JASNA members travel to England to see the sites Jane Austen saw. The main attractions are Bath, where she lived as a young woman, Chawton where she wrote four of her novels, and Winchester where she is buried.

A JASNA Calgary member's travel notes for Winchester and Chawton show how three days can be spent enjoying historic and Jane Austen sites. Access the Winchester notes in MSWord to use the embedded links or in .pdf. Or, take a visit with her to Bath, the setting for several Austen novels. Access the Bath notes in MSWord to use the embedded links or in .pdf. A U.S. travel writer describes even more Austen sites to help you plan your trip.

If you are in London, you can visit the National Gallery, where Cassandra's portrait of Jane is hung. It is in Room 18 in a special case, so look carefully. Also, in the British Library treasures room usually there are one or two of Jane's manuscripts on display, plus her writing desk and eye glasses.

From our membership we have collected some travel tips about sites and references. Also, for those who will be on and off trains and buses, we have compiled a packing list that fits into the hand luggage restrictions of many airlines. We found this amount of luggage easier to handle on various transportation modes than heavier suitcases.

Our travel photos may put you in the mood for visiting Jane Austen sites.

Jane Austen's family lived at Number 4 in Sydney Place from 1801 -1804. At St Swithin's Church, Jane's father, George Austen is buried near to Fanny Burney.

Stroll through the Novels' Settings

Jane's novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey are situated in Bath. You can stroll along The Gravel Walk and arrive at the Royal Circle to see fine residences. Characters in Persuasion went to the Royal Crescent and the Pump Room to see and be seen.

Even today you can shop in New Bond Street, Milsom Street and Cheap Street, which were made famous by Jane's novels, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.

Charming in its rural setting, Chawton village is a lovely day trip to take from Winchester, by car, or by bus and a fifteen minute walk.

Jane Austen lived in Chawton cottage with her mother and her beloved sister, Cassandra. Her brothers often visited, and their memorabilia fill the restored home. JASNA members are welcomed with free admission.

Jane Austen lived in Winchester at the end of her life. She would have shopped on the bustling, historic Market Street. Perhaps she would have read the Hampshire Chronicle newspaper, established in 1772.

Jane Austen's house in Winchester is still a private residence. Prior to her death, she lived there for a few months to be closer to her doctor.

Close to Jane's home is the King's Gate leading into the Winchester Cathedral yard. The Cathedral rises magnificently as the centre-point of this ancient city.

Jane Austen's five brothers paid for her to be buried under Winchester Cathedral. According to our guide, she was the last person to be buried there because of the rising water table. Her grave stone does not mention her writing, because she was not well-known in her lifetime. Later the memorial brass was added, which does recognize her as a great author. The memorial window celebrates St Augustine, a saint with a similar-sounding name. Now, the Jane Austen Society ensures fresh flowers are supplied every week in her memory.