Chawton House — Attraction in East Hampshire

I had the pleasure of visiting Chawton House in Alton, Hampshire, today, and it was an unforgettable experience. This stunning historic house, once owned by Jane Austen's brother, Edward Knight, has been beautifully renovated and is steeped in history. The house is intimately connected with Jane Austen, who often visited, and it's a treasure trove for any literature lover. Furthermore, they “foster research and understanding of early women writers, restoring them to their rightful place in the history of English literature and enabling them to speak directly to – and inspire – future generations”. A delight!

The gardens are absolutely lovely—well-kept, serene, and perfect for a stroll or a picnic. As a visitor, I highly encourage everyone to pay the ticket fee, even if you're just visiting the gardens. Maintaining such a magnificent place is no small feat, and every contribution helps preserve this piece of history.

One of the highlights for me was the tearoom, which is set in the old kitchen. The blend of history and hospitality creates a unique and immersive experience. The food was delicious, reasonably priced, and the kitchen staff were simply lovely. The cleanliness of the toilets was also a pleasant surprise, and there are plenty of them.

The house itself is simply beautiful, and the renovations have been done with great care, preserving its historical charm. What sets Chawton House apart from many other stately homes is the invitation to truly explore. There aren’t endless signs prohibiting photography or touching items; instead, you're encouraged to immerse yourself in the history. The Great House, fondly referred to by Jane Austen, still exudes a warm, homely atmosphere despite no longer being a residence. There are also many secret doors and passageways to discover, adding to the charm and mystery of the place.

The staff at Chawton House today were exceptional. They were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly attentive to visitors' needs. As an autistic person, I felt safe, cared for, and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. A special mention goes to the volunteer staff Fiona, Denise, and Mike, who were exceptionally kind and made my visit even more enjoyable.

Lastly, don't miss the opportunity to visit the nearby church and graveyard, where Jane Austen’s mother and sister are buried—a poignant and reflective stop.

I’m thrilled to have an annual ticket and can’t wait to return soon. Chawton House is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in history, literature, or simply a love for beautiful, well-preserved heritage sites.

Update: I visited again, and once more, Chawton House did not disappoint. This time, I had the pleasure of meeting two more amazing and knowledgeable volunteers, Pat and Jeremy. Their insights added even more depth to my experience. I will definitely be...

“Jane Austen often visited this house and you can visit it too!”

Not many people know that this delightful house is open to public. Do not be confused by the name "library", for although it operates as a research centre and a library, it is also an impressive manor house with plenty of character, charm and history. In early 19th century it was a home of Edward Knight, Jane Austen’s brother, adopted by the wealthy Knight family who had no children of their own. It was Edward who kindly provided a cottage in Chawton village for his mother and two sisters that is now a world-famous Jane Austen's House Museum. Knights' Chawton House is now a research and learning centre for women’s writing and a visitor attraction, admittedly and sadly much less known. If you are visiting Jane Austen's House Museum, do take a short walk to the Village Church, pay respects to the graves of Jane's Mother and her beloved sister Cassandra and come to the Chawton House, which rich history goes back beyond the Norman Conquest. It just behind the Church. If you are lucky, you might be given a tour by no other than Jeremy Knight, a direct descendant of Edward Knight, (his great-great-great-great grandson). He is a guide like no other! Jeremy was brought up in the house and lived there with his family until 1988, he knows the house inside out, and talks about it with a great deal of knowledge and affection. Also he is a really lovely person and makes your visit truly enjoyable and special. After visiting the House don't forget to explore the gardens - they are extensive and delightful. After your tour treat yourself to a lovely cup of tea in the House's kitchen with a home-made cake. You will enjoy your day, I promise. (The House is open to public every day...

The house is lovely, the tea room is pleasant and the grounds are beautiful. What soured our trip there in March was the inexplicably unpleasant older female volunteer who was stationed in the foyer. There were signs posted outside stating that we had to come into the house to buy tickets on this day. As we came in, a woman on her own was following close behind us. She picked up one of the free (!) brochures set out at the table and we all began to walk toward the table where they were selling tickets. The volunteer (a tall older woman with silver hair, in case you run afoul of her) accosted the woman behind us and snatched the brochures out of her hands, telling her harshly, to "Put those back! You must buy tickets before you're allowed in here." The woman was confused and seemed like English might not be her first language, so we tried to help, explaining that the signs directed us into the house in order to purchase tickets, and the volunteer wheeled around and began barking at us as if we were doing something wrong. She then followed directly behind the woman until she got to the ticket counter as if she was guarding the silver from her. It was the most bizarre experience I've ever had at a historic property. Every other member of staff was perfectly lovely. I've no idea what this woman thought was going on or why she felt she needed to police the guests with such ferocity but it quite...