Donned in bodices, bonnets, and breeches, thousands of visitors from around the world are expected to descend on East Hampshire this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
The heart of these nationwide celebrations will be Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, near Alton, where the author spent the last eight years of her life, from 1809 until 1817, alongside her mother and sister, Cassandra.
It was here, in this cottage, that Austen wrote and published all six of her iconic novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Emma, and Persuasion.
These novels remain as beloved as ever, continuing to inspire film adaptations, books, and TV series. The runaway success of Bridgerton, the Austen-influenced Netflix series set in Regency-era Bath, has brought even more attention to her writings.
In 2025, a new BBC drama Miss Austen will explore the life of Austen’s older sister, Cassandra. Based on Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel, the four-part series delves into the literary mystery surrounding Cassandra, who famously burned many of Jane’s letters.
Kathryn Davis, managing director of Visit West, said Jane Austen's enduring global popularity was set to drive a significant influx of visitors this year.
She said Austen fans from across the globe were already booking their stays in the region, with most bookings coming from North America and Australia. Visitors from Europe, particularly the Nordic countries, were expected to follow suit in January.
“The depth of content available next year is beyond anything we’ve seen before,” Davis told The Times newspaper. “Walking in Austen’s footsteps is a huge draw, and the enduring popularity of both her novels and their TV and film adaptations is having a significant impact.”
Jane Austen’s House is planning year-long programme of events under the theme Literature, Landscape, and Legacy to capitalise on the anniversary. The celebrations will feature Austen-inspired twists on seasonal traditions, from spring flowers to outdoor theatre and festive gatherings.
The month-long festivities kick off in January with a special focus on Pride and Prejudice. A library display, Pride and Prejudice Through the Ages (January 17–February 1), will showcase rare editions of the novel, including a first edition on loan to Chawton House.
The celebrations will continue with a screening of the 1940 film adaptation of the book, starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson, on January 17, followed by the new Jane at the Great House tour (January 19), exploring Austen’s connections to the estate.
The spring programme will feature a bonnet-themed children’s trail and craft workshops. A major highlight will be the Sisters of the Pen exhibition, opening on May 1 and running until January 2026. This exhibition celebrates the women who shaped and were shaped by Austen, with displays in the library, drawing room, and gardens.
Further afield, one of the most coveted tickets will be admission to No. 8 College Street in Winchester, where Austen spent her final weeks, as the house opens to the public for the first time.