Several of Jane Austin’s novels are set in the Georgian City of Bath during the elegance of the Regency period. But you will find the real Jane Austen, not in Bath, but in her home village of Chawton, Hampshire.

The Beauty of Bath

I really believe I shall always be talking of Bath, when I am at home again–I do like it so very much…. Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?

Jane Austen In Northanger Abbey

The sun lights up the stonework of this beautiful city, nestled in an amphitheatre between the southern Cotswolds and the Mendip hills. When we lived in Bristol, Bath’s sister city neighbour, we often visited here. The Royal Crescent (top photo) is perhaps the best of the city’s beautiful Regency buildings.

The Jane Austen Centre

Amidst Bath’s many tourist attractions, for the fan of Jane’s novels, this centre is a must. So is the Regency Tea Room.

 “No visit to the Jane Austen Centre would be complete without a visit to our Regency Tea Room which is just down the street. Experience our traditional English ‘Afternoon Tea with Mr Darcy’ with a decadent and delicious serving of exquisite cakes, divine finger sandwiches and delightful warm scones served with Dorset clotted cream and seasonal jam “ !

However despite such luxuries the initial fascination with the grand culture of the City waned. In the words of one of her characters:

Do you know, I get so immoderately sick of Bath; your brother and I were agreeing this morning that, though it is vastly well to be here for a few weeks, we would not live here for millions

Northanger Abbey

The Real Jane Austen

Jane was born in 1775 in the village of Steventon where her father was Rector. He encouraged Jane in her writing and helped to find outlets for her work. But it was not until after her premature death in 1817 that her fame as a novelist began to grow.

The house is now a museum containing much interesting information, including her writing table and chair. All Jane’s major works were written – or at least completed – while she was living here.
While you are visiting Chawton you will probably visit Cassandra’s Tea Room across the road and indulge in traditional Georgian afternoon tea.

Cassandras Cup

Another famous Hampshire author of the Georgian period was Gilbert White. He lived in the village of Selbourne only 4 miles away from Chawton. Jane Austen was 18 when Gilbert White died and would have known about his famous work ‘The Natural History of Selbourne‘. Jane’s brother wrote a poem praising it. (See my post ‘Gilbert White’s Selbourne‘).

This book reveals Jane as an endearing character. She felt most able to write when she was at her home here in Chawton, inspired by her beloved Hampshire. She was a born story- teller and the book records how she used to delight in telling stories to her eager nieces and nephews. She was able to work on her writing despite the activities of a busy household.

A verger at Winchester Cathedral in the mid 1800s, was surprised so many visitors were coming to visit the grave of a woman called Jane Austen. There was no indication on the tablet marking Jane‘s grave that she was a famous author.

Today however, the name Jane Austin in known worldwide…

  “Incline us oh God! to think humbly of ourselves…

Jane Austen’s prayer

Unlike the glamour of many of the characters in her novels, hers was a humble Christian life. Aware of her own failings, but always thinking of the best in others.