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20 of the best Jane Austen sites to visit in England

Are you a die-hard Jane Austen fan or a literary lover who wants to visit sites linked to one of England’s most famous authors?  If the answer is yes, then we’ve done the research for you! 

This list includes 20 of the best Jane Austen locations in England. We’ve covered where Jane lived, died and where she wrote her most famous works. We’ve also included filming locations for the best known (and much loved) film and TV adaptations of Austen’s novels. Plus, several of the destinations listed below are free! 

Even if you’re not planning your U.K. trip around Jane Austen sites, you’re sure to find something in this list that you’ll want to visit. 

Tip – The National Trust owns many of the locations featured in this article. If you plan to visit several locations on this list, you’ll save money by purchasing a National Trust membership in advance of your visit.  

Collage of images of Jane Austen locations.

Admission to The Jane Austen Centre Exhibition

📍Steventon, Basingstoke RG25 3BE

Steventon is the birthplace of Jane Austen (born 1775) and where she lived until 1801. It was here that she began early drafts of Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and Sense and Sensibility.

What to see – While the original rectory where Jane lived no longer exists, you can visit the free to enter St Nicholas Church which dates back to Norman times. Jane’s father George, her brothers James and Henry, and her nephew William Knight were all Rectors of Steventon and Jane worshipped here for the first 26 years of her life.

Jane Austen first editions.
Chawton - Jane Austen's house.

📍Chawton, Near Alton, Hampshire GU34 1SJ

If you only have time to visit one Austen location, visit Chawton. Jane lived in a cottage in this quaint Hampshire village from 1809 to 1817 and it is where she wrote and revised her most famous works. All six of her novels were published whilst living here.

What to see 

  •  Jane Austen’s House Museum: Tour the rooms where Jane lived and worked and see her writing desk, plus items such as precious mementos, jewellery, letters and first editions of her novels. It’s unmissable for die-hard Austen fans but pre-booking online is essential. 
  • Chawton House: This was once the estate belonging to Jane’s brother Edward. It is now a museum and research centre. Tour the traditional country Manor House and explore the surrounding parkland, including the idyllic walled garden.
House where Jane Austen died.
Jane Austen plaque side of building.
8 College Street

📍 Winchester, SO23 9NB

This small, historic city was Jane’s final home, and it’s where she is buried. Jane moved here in ill health in 1817 and died shortly after.

What to see

  • Winchester Cathedral – Jane is buried in the north nave aisle of the cathedral. Look for the simple brass plaque on the wall and a ledger stone on the floor, which marks her burial spot.
  • Jane’s final residence: Jane died at 8 College Street on July 18th 1817. Now part of Westminster College, the house is closed to the public but will open for selected dates in 2025 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth.

📍Southampton Old Town, SO16 9HJ

Jane lived here for a short time between 1806 to 1809. It was a difficult time in Jane’s life and letters she wrote here give insight into her struggles.

What to see – Austen fans can follow a free, self-guided trail around Southampton’s Old Town. It includes 16 historic stops including All Saints Church where the Austens worshipped. You can download the trail here.

📍40 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2NT

Jane lived in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and the popular Georgian town features prominently in her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

What to see –

  • Jane Austen Centre: A must visit for Austen fans, this interactive centre includes guided tours by character actors, a Regency themed tea room, quill writing activities and dressing up in Regency outfits. You can also have your photo taken with a Jane Austen waxwork.
  • Bath Assembly Rooms and the Royal Crescent: View these elegant Georgian era buildings and get a glimpse of what life would have been like in Austen’s time.

Where Jane lived

  • 📍 4 Sydney Place, Bath, Somerset BA2 6NF
    Dates: May 1801 – 1804 (lease of ~3 years)
    Details: First family residence in Bath after leaving Steventon. Overlooking Sydney Gardens (a fashionable promenade), this is where Jane probably worked on Northanger Abbey and The Watsons. A plaque marks this as her principal Bath domicile
  • 📍 Green Park Buildings (E/W), Bath
    Dates: 1804 – January 1805 (leased post‑Sydney Place)
    Details: After their lease expired, the Austens moved here, it is often cited as “3 Green Park Buildings East” (or sometimes No. 27). The family found it less pleasant and Jane apparently disliked it.
  • 📍 25 Gay Street, Bath
    Dates: January 1805 – mid‑1806
    Details: After Rev. Austen’s death in January 1805, Jane, her mother, and Cassandra took lodgings at 25 Gay Street. The family’s finances were reduced and living conditions became more modest.
  • 📍 Trim Street, Bath
    Dates: Mid‑1806 (briefly, until July 1806)
    Details: Their final Bath residence, a more affordable temporary lodging, before moving on to Clifton, Southampton, and eventually Chawton
  • 📍 Other Known Stays
    13 Queen Square: Visited with her mother in 1799 (for about a month)
    1 The Paragon: Stayed with Aunt Leigh-Perrot (mentioned in connection with family visits, but dates unspecified)
The British Library

📍Various

Jane Austen frequently visited the capital to see her brother Henry and her publisher. It is often mentioned in her novels and letters.

What to see – 

  • British Library:
  • 10 Henrietta Street: This is where Henry Austen lived and where Jane stayed when she was in London. Located in Covent Garden (WC2E 8PS) the house is no longer a residential property but a green plaque marks its association with Austen. Jane revised Mansfield Park here.
  • British Museum: As the museum was close to her brother’s house, Jane visited often and referenced the museum in various letters.
  • Garrick Club (15 Garrick Street, WC2E 9AY) This private club can only be viewed from the outside but it contains both letters and manuscripts written by Jane Austen.

📍 Near Canterbury CT4 7DT 

Godmersham Park was the home of Jane’s brother Edward Austen Knight. Jane often visited and the grand home is believed to have inspired her novel Mansfield Park.

What to see – The house is not open to the public but you can take a tour of the Heritage Centre and its neighbour St. Lawrence the Martyr Church. The centre is only open on Monday and Thursday mornings. A small admission fee applies. 

📍Groombridge Hill, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9QG

This location is not in Jane’s novels but it was used as the location for Longbourn, the home of the Bennett family in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadyen. 

What to see – The moated manor house dates back to the 17th century and boasts 200 acres of gardens. Visitors can’t enter the house but you can explore the Enchanted Woodland and formal gardens. Opening times vary according to the season so check in advance of your visit.

📍 Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NR

Basildon Park was the filming location for Netherfield, Mr. Bingley’s home,  in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice.

What to see – The National Trust owned Basildon Park is a 400 acre estate dominated by a honey-coloured 18th century Palladian house. You can explore the house, parkland, formal gardens, visitors centre or visit the playground or tearoom.

📍Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire MK18 2EY

Grand Claydon House featured in the 1996 film adaptation of Emma starring Gywneth Paltrow. 

What to see – This lavish 18th century country house was owned by the same family for 550 years. Currently owned by the National Trust, you can view art and furnishings on a tour of the house or explore the courtyard and South Lawn. 

📍Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0BJ

Wilton House is owned by the Earl of Pembroke and doubled as the interiors of Pemberley in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice.

What to see – Visitors can explore the fully furnished rooms of the 16th-century house and marvel at its extensive art collection. The 21-acre grounds offer a rose garden, playground, cafe and classic car collection. Note that the estate is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Stourhead.

📍Stourton, Warminster BA12 6QD

One for romantics – the Temple of Apollo at the stunning Stourhead gardens was Mr Darcy’s first proposal location in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice.

What to see –  The 2,650 acre Stourhead estate is owned by the National Trust and is world-famous for its landscaped gardens, lakes and follies. You can explore the gardens, temples and woodland plus visit the Palladian-style Stourhead House.

📍Luckington, Chippenham SN14 6PJ

Luckington Court was another location used to portray Longbourn in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice starring Colin Firth.

What to see – Unfortunately, as Luckington Court is a privately owned residence it can only be viewed from the road.

📍Montacute, Somerset TA15 6XP

This National Trust owned house dates back to 1601 and featured in 1995’s Sense and Sensibility starring Kate Winslet. If you want to see a perfect example of Elizabethan architecture and design on your trip to the U.K, Montacute House should be on your must-see list. 

What to see – Explore the fully furnished ground floor rooms of the house and its extensive art collection or explore the immaculate formal gardens and wider parkland.

📍Wiltshire SN15 2LG

This quintessential, historic village has been used in several tv and film adaptations, including Pride & Prejudice, Downton Abbey and Harry Potter

What to see – The small medieval era village is easily covered on foot. Highlights include timber-framed cottages, a medieval tithe barn and the nearby Lacock Abbey and Fox Talbot art museum. If you’ve dreamt of chocolate-box English villages, this is one to visit! 

📍Tadworth KT20 7LB

If you’ve ever fancied re-enacting the famous picnic scene in Emma where Emma is chastised by Mr Knightly after embarrassing Ms.Bates, this is the location. 

What to see – Box Hill offers nature trails, an outdoor playground, hiking and biking tracks and outstanding views over the North Downs and the Surrey countryside.

📍Bakewell DE45 1PP

Chatsworth House in the Derbyshire Peak District is a worthy attraction in its own right, but Austen fans should visit as it’s believed to be the inspiration for Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice. It was also the filming location for Pemberley in the 2005 movie.

What to see – Chatsworth House is arguably one of the most impressive estates in the U.K. Owned by the Duke of Devonshire, visitors can explore 25 fully furnished rooms of the 18th century house including the stunning Painted Room. The 105 acre garden has waterfalls, lakes, ponds and a playground. 

Chatsworth House is a personal favourite of ours. We love visiting any time of the year but we think it’s extra magical at Christmas.

Haddon Hall

📍Bakewell DE45 1LA

Haddon Hall has been used in various Austen adaptations including Pride and Prejudice. It was also the filming location for Death Comes To Pemberley. 

What to see – Haddon Hall is one of the oldest houses in England (over 900 years old) and is one of the only houses in England to have been owned by the same family. You can explore its atmospheric medieval rooms before venturing into the Elizabethan walled garden. Leave time to wander the extensive parkland which is home to over 500 native trees.

Lyme Park

📍Disley, Stockport SK12 2NR

Do you remember THAT wet shirt scene with Colin Firth from Pride and Prejudice? The memorable scene was filmed at the National Trust owned Lyme Park in Cheshire. 

What to see – The 1,400 acre estate boasts red deer, a rose garden, a ravine garden and, of course, the famous lake. You can also explore the lavishly decorated rooms of the Regency era mansion house. 

📍Grantham NG32 2LS

Belton House is another National Trust property which doubled as Rosings Park in the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. 

What to see – Explore the art collections of the picture-perfect 17th century manor which also houses a renowned library. The surrounding gardens include Dutch and Italian gardens, a deer park and the largest National Trust adventure playground in the U.K. 

We hope you’ve found something in this list to satisfy your love of Jane Austen. If you need a little extra help planning your Jane Austen-themed tour of the U.K., check out our carefully crafted Jane Austen itinerary.