Friday 19th August, 2022

 After a great breakfast, we drove about 40 mins to Chawton, to visit Jane Austen's House.   Jane lived in this house from July 1809 until May 1817.  

It was in this house that she revised, completed and had published, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Visiting Jane's house was of particular interest to me, as I am making a replica of the coverlet quilt that Jane, her sister Cassandra and their mother made whilst living in the house. This original is on display in the house.  I was interested to see how close the modern day fabrics are to those in the original coverlet.  There are incredibly well done.  As Jane, Cassandra and their mother would have sewn the coverlet by hand, I too, am sewing mine by hand.

These photos are of the original coverlet which is on display in the house.  Considering the age of the coverlet it is in amazing condition

The house was over 300 years old when Jane, Cassandra and their mother moved in. Jane remained here until she became ill and moved to Winchester, where she died shortly after.  She is buried in Winchester Cathedral.

The house is quite small and there are still some of the out buildings

 

 

The house right next door to Jane Austen's house, is a gorgeous thatched cottage which dates back to 1550

 

After a fantastic visit we headed for our accomodation for the next 3 nights at Norbin Farm near Box which is a working farm