Welcome to the ultimate Jane Austen inspired road trip through England!
If you’re reading this post, you’re probably already aware that this year we’re celebrating 250 years since the birth of the beloved English author, Jane Austen!
This is a HUGE deal in the United Kingdom this year. So I’ve been spending 2025 especially visiting all of the locations that I think every literary fan travelling around England needs to visit!
And there are SO MANY to see!
Part One of this journey covers Jane Austen’s path in her life throughout the south of England. Including where she grew up, spent most of her adulthood and her final resting place.
Part Two of the journey covers the Jane Austen inspired destinations that feature in the films we know and love! In this list it’s mostly Pride and Prejudice (both series and film!) for now.
But I’ll eventually update it further as I travel to more destinations.
For Austenites, consider this your ultimate literary Jane Austen road trip in England.
So brew a lovely cup of tea, perhaps snack on a scone or two, and let’s embark on our literary adventure together!
Part One: Travel in the footsteps of Jane Austen‘s life
Starting Point: The social and fashionable city of Bath
Start your Jane Austen inspired adventure in the beautiful city of Bath.
Only an hour and a half journey on the train from London or a two and a half hour drive from London to Bath.
Jane Austen spent a good few years in Bath, from 1801 to 1806 where her family moved to enjoy the health benefits of the city. The Austens moved quite a few times during their time in Bath, living at these three addresses: 4 Sydney Place, Green Park Buildings, 25 Gay Street.
Bath is also where the Jane Austen Festival takes place every September. It’s the largest and longest running Jane Austen Festival in the entire WORLD. People flock to the city to celebrate each year.
There is a packed itinerary for festival goers with promenades, readings, balls and more! Be sure to don your very own regency inspired gown during your visit!
Where to go in Bath?
Don’t miss The Jane Austen Centre
You might think this was her former home… it’s actually not! Just a few doors down from where Jane lived (25 Gay Street, her former residence, is now a dental surgery!) you’ll find the Jane Austen Centre.
The centre is a museum to Jane Austen and her family, sharing information about Jane’s life, her family and the Regency time period that they lived in. They have a quill writing room where you can try your hand at writing your own novel, Regency costumes to try on and they even have afternoon tea at the very top of the building.
PS. All of the workers here are dressed in Regency attire and play a few of the characters from the novels who you can interact with – they really are such good fun!
Book your tickets here:
The Pump Room for Jane Austen Afternoon Tea
You won’t want to miss a very fashionable Jane Austen inspired afternoon tea in The Pump Room. Located right next to the Roman Baths (well, in fact, it’s in the same building) is The Pump Room.
Austen was a visitor at the Pump Room. It was considered extremely fashionable and quite the social scene to be at! The Pump Room even features in her novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
“Every creature in Bath, except himself, was to be seen in the Pump-room at different periods of the fashionable hours; crowds of people were every moment passing in and out, up the steps and down; people whom nobody cared about, and nobody wanted to see; and he only was absent” – Persuasion, Jane Austen
And you can still visit and should today! You simply must book in for afternoon tea (afternoon tea is going to feature heavily on this road trip, lean into it!)
I’d really recommend a 4pm booking as it tends to be the quietest time to visit. But there are slots at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. The afternoon tea treats are delicious! Indulge in a literary cocktail or two, it’s all such good fun!
You can book and check out all of their dining options here!
The Pump Rooms additionally have breakfast and dinner booking options if you don’t fancy afternoon tea but would like to stop in.
PS. Don’t miss a chance to drink from the spa water itself! Considered to be vastly beneficial for your health and well being, the spa water is actually available to drink within The Pump Room! It contains 43 minerals. I haven’t a clue what the minerals were, but we tried it!
The Roman Baths at Sunset
Of course, I’d also recommend a trip to visit The Roman Baths while you are visiting Bath. Right next to The Pump Room, you can begin your tour of the baths. I’d really recommend visiting at sunset if it fits into your plans, the sky can be breathtaking overlooking the baths!
Please note: These baths are not currently in use today! It’s a museum!
But if you want to take a dip, check out the Thermae Bath Spa. It is the only day spa in the UK where you can bathe in natural thermal waters. Plus they have an amazing rooftop pool with beautiful views overlooking the city.
No. 1 Royal Crescent
I’d really recommend taking a peek into what homes looked like in Bath during the Regency period. No. 1 Royal Crescent is a must-visit museum and former home along the famous Royal Crescent street in Bath.
It is decorated and furnished as it would have been during 1776-1796. The rooms feature historic furniture, pictures and objects that form the museum collection.
They currently have an Immersive Jane Austen Tour on to celebrate Jane Austen 250!
We really loved exploring the house and going on this tour, I thought it was exceptionally well done. The interaction takes you from room to room exploring No. 1 Crescent with a Jane Austen twist.
And the information about the home was very realistic and informative about the time period. It’s a really neat experience!
Where to stay in Bath?
A luxury stay The Royal Crescent Hotel
If you want to feel like royalty, this is the place you need to stay. It’s incredibly elegant and beautiful. The hotel is a bit of a splurge, but I think it’s worth it for the incredible experience and the opulance of it all!
Also, I’d really recommend their Jane Austen inspired afternoon tea also… truly you can never have too much afternoon tea!
A more affordable option? Hotel Indigo – Bath by IHG
We’ve stayed here a few times on our visit to Bath and have always had really lovely experiences. I’d definitely recommend it and it’s also a more budget friendly option.
More things to do in Bath:
Right in the middle of the trip: Southampton and Winchester
Southampton, a quick stop!
We’ll keep this section short and sweet and you may find you want to skip the Southampton portion.
After her father’s death in 1805, Jane, her mother, and her sister Cassandra moved to Southampton to live with her brother Francis and his family. They lived in Southampton from 1806–1809.
Sadly, there isn’t much to do in Southampton to celebrate Jane. You can pop to see the exterior of where they lived. There is a plaque outside the home, which is now The Juniper Berry – a hotel you can stay in if you fancy sleeping on site at Jane Austen’s old home! I’ll be honest, I’d probably just check out the plaque! The address is: Cement Terrace, Southampton SO14 2BZ.
However, if you do choose to spend some time in the city, it has some additional history that might be interesting. The Titanic actually left from Southampton! There is a Titanic museum which is quite interesting. And also, even further back, The Mayflower ship left Southampton in 1620 for the new world!
If you do choose to stop here, I’d recommend a stay at The Pig in the Wall, which is perhaps the smallest of The Pig chain hotels, but it’s very cute and great for a bite and drinks. Just a quick walk from there is also The Dancing Man pub, which is quite fun too!
Where is Jane Austen buried?
Next stop, visiting Winchester – Jane Austen’s final resting place
Bear with me, I know this road trip is a little out of order from Jane’s life, but I do think this makes the most sense road trip wise.
Unfortunately, Jane Austen passed away at the young age of 41 in Winchester. You can stop at No. 8 College Street which is the House where she died and there is a plaque commemorating her there.
And her final resting place? Winchester Cathedral.
This is one of the most beautiful and historic cathedrals and honestly, I find it pretty incredible that she was buried there. We to this day don’t have definitive reason why she was able to be buried here, only speculations.
Perhaps due to her father’s church connections during his lifetime, or her wealthy brother Edward. Or that she requested to be buried there and her family followed out her wishes. Unfortunately, we don’t know! But we do know we can visit to pay our respects.
She is buried in the north nave aisle of Winchester Cathedral under a memorial stone, which mentions ‘the extraordinary endowments of her mind’. It doesn’t make mention of her life as a novelist.
Other things to do in Winchester?
A few paces down from her Winchester home on College Street is the bookstore, P & G Wells. Jane Austen’s father and brother kept accounts here when it was known as John Burdon, ‘gentleman bookseller’.
For a bite or a pint? The Wykeham Arms is super cosy and well worth a visit in. Especially during the winter when the fireplaces are roaring.
Winchester + Southampton Hotels
The Pig in the Wall ££
Harbour Hotel & Spa Southampton ££
The Old Vine – Winchester £
Check out more hotels in the area
Final walking in Jane Austen’s footsteps stop: Jane Austen House + Chawton House
Wow, I’ve only just recently visited the village of Chawton and it is INCREDIBLE there.
It’s the cutest little village and I’m so glad that we got to walk along the same paths that Jane did here. It feels magical. Imagine walking the same lanes Jane did, breathing in the scent of garden roses as you visit her former home.
So what brought them to Chawton?
Jane’s brother Edward offered them a cottage on his estate at Chawton. This is important information. There are TWO Jane Austen sites to visit in Chawton.
Jane Austen House – Where Jane, Cassandra and their mother lived
To visit the house where Jane lived, it is now called the Jane Austen House. You will absolutely want to book tickets here. They can sell out in advance so make sure to check well ahead of time so you aren’t disappointed.
The home that is so wonderfully preserved and it’s also quite small to walk though. There are only 12 tickets per hour available and when you step in, you’ll understand why. It can be quite tight!
You can explore all of the rooms in the house. Jane’s writing desk is even right there in the dining room!
This time was also her most productive period of writing in her life! Jane revised some of her earlier drafts and wrote Mansfield Park, Emma, AND Persuasion here. Gosh, she was busy!
And you can visit Jane’s bedroom too and the home tells many stories about the history of the family and loved ones.
Also, right at the end of the house tour, they have a room filled with all of the adaptions from Jane Austen’s novels! I totally forgot about the Clueless and Emma connection!
The great thing about the tickets is that they act as an annual pass as well. I think we are definitely going to go back this autumn.
Chawton House – The Manor Residence of Jane’s brother Edward and his family
Now here’s where things can get confusing. I always thought of Chawton House as the house Jane Austen lived in. But they are actually two different places!
Don’t accidentally book tickets to just Chawton House and not to Jane Austen House. Get tickets to BOTH.
In my opinion, Chawton House was a slightly more exciting visit actually! It’s an absolutely beautiful estate home that belonged to Jane’s brother Edward Knight. He was actually adopted by distant family members Thomas and Catherine Knight, who made him their heir in order to inherit.
Chawton House was built by the Knight family in the 1580s and truly, it is a magical place to visit. Obviously, this was a place that Jane, her sister and mother would visit frequently as it was such a short walk from their cottage in the village.
Expect plenty of Jane Austen history and a walk through a home she would have visited time and time again. There is even a reading nook that she was apparently quite fond of and you can totally see why, it overlooks the long driveway leading up to the house.
It must have been quite something to visit here back there!
Tickets to Chawton House are £12.50 per person.
PS. Don’t miss a wander through the gardens at Chawton House AND a little snack break in the tea rooms. I’m going to suggest a savoury tea! Go for the cheese scones, cheese and chutney! SO GOOD!
We’ve actually visited here now twice, I think there’s something so special about Chawton House.
PPS. St Nicholas’s Church! You’ll spot this right next to Chawton House, if you go around the back of the church, you will find the graves of both Jane’s mother and her beloved sister Cassandra.
Bonus Points: A trip to Steventon in Hampshire. This is the town where Jane Austen was born and grew up! Now, I do think it could be worthwhile visiting, however, her home here no longer exists so I’m leaving the choice up to you!
Steventon’s cottage may no longer stand but the village’s timeless charm, ivy-clad houses, and hedges makes it feel like a scene from Sense and Sensibility.
Book your Chawton + Jane Austen House tickets here:
Part Two: A road trip of Jane Austen‘s legacy in film
1. Start with Pemberley aka Chatsworth House
10,000 bonus points to you for visiting film locations during your Jane Austen inspired road trip!
You could either start or end your Austen inspired trip here! For those who have the time to head north, perhaps begin at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
You’ll recognise this film location as Pemberley from my beloved Pride and Prejudice 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
You’ll lose yourself in the grandeur of its rooms and gardens, all stately, romantic and very much Darcy worthy. The grounds are a dream as well, be sure to manifest a hand flex or two!
Tickets to Chatsworth House are from £32 for adults. Usually there is pretty good availability online, but I’d recommend booking in advance if you know your dates.
You can book your Chatsworth House tickets here!
Chatsworth House is about three hours north of London, perfect if you fancy an escape from the city buzz during your trip.
Where to stay in the Peak District? Some of my favourite hotels are below! But personally, The Cavendish is a DREAM stay!
2. Get all the feels for Colin Firth’s Darcy Charm at Lyme Park
For another slice of Austen magic, you must visit Lyme Park near Disley, Cheshire.
Lyme Park is the film location for Pemberley in the 1995 BBC series Pride & Prejudice. And ahem… where Colin Firth’s iconic lakeside emergence was filmed!
Tickets are £18.70 per adult for entry to the House, Park and Gardens ticket.
3. Bask in Berkshire’s Basildon Park
Heading south again, just outside of Reading, is Basildon Park. This Palladian manor is the grand Netherfield in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice.
In the BBC series they filmed Netherfield at a private residence so no visiting that one!
Tickets are £20.90 per adult for entry.
PS. Both Lyme Park and Basildon Park are National Trust properties, so if you have membership with the National Trust, it’s free to get in! It’s £160.80 a year for a joint membership (which we have). Individual membership is £96 per year.
If you’re going to visit more than four National Trust properties on your travels during the year, it’s very worth getting!
4. Wander the Enchanting Lacock Village
Step into Lacock Village in Wiltshire, it’s timeless lanes and half‑timbered facades were Meryton in Pride & Prejudice (1995).
I’d recommend visiting Lacock Abbey. It’s been featured in a variety of films – Lacock Village is also where several Harry Potter scenes were filmed over the years too!
Or just pop into a little tearoom in the village and let the quiet charm of the place wrap around you.
5. Bonus Stops: Regency Grandeur & Coastal Moodiness
Belton House, Lincolnshire, stood in for Rosings in the 1995 TV version. Perfect for imagining Lady Catherine’s imposing presence!
Claydon House, Buckinghamshire, hosted a ballroom scene in Emma (1996).
Montacute House in Somerset appeared in Sense and Sensibility (1995) for that windswept, romantic atmosphere.
Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire, featured in Sanditon (2019) and Sense and Sensibility (2008) adaptations.
Picture stopping at a hidden tearoom, vintage teacup in hand, reciting lines from Pride and Prejudice as you sip your Earl Grey.
Suggested Jane Austen Road Trip Itinerary:
I know this is a BIG list, so you don’t need to hit every destination on your visit, but below is a recommended schedule to follow for a week of Jane Austen inspired adventures!
Day 1-2: Compare the Pemberleys! Chatsworth House + Lyme Park
– Start your day at Lyme Park to explore the 1995 Pride and Prejudice’s Pemberley. Don’t miss the lake where Colin Firth dives in!
– Drive 47 minutes to Chatsworth House to explore 2005 Pride and Prejudice’s Pemberley., explore the manor, stroll the gardens, and linger in its drawing rooms.
– Stay overnight in the Chatsworth area – recommendations below!
Day 3: Toward Bath + Basildon Park
– A big driving day! Plan to leave your hotel by 8am and meander south 3 hours via Basildon Park’s Netherfield before midday.
– Explore and then it’s an hour’s drive to explore Cotswolds villages like Lacock which was Meryton in Pride and Prejudice 1995, in the afternoon.
– Drive a half hour and end your day with an overnight stay in Bath.
Day 4: Charm in the heart of Bath
– Start your day right into Austen history at the Jane Austen Centre.
– Have a stroll along the crescents and wander the beautiful city that Austen called home for a time.
– Book in for a luxurious Jane Austen inspired afternoon-tea at The Pump Room.
– And perhaps a visit to the Roman Baths or No.1 Crescent house.
– I’d suggest spending two nights in Bath to relax and enjoy
Day 5: Hampshire Retreat into Jane Austen’s footsteps
– Drive an hour and a half to Winchester Cathedral to pay your respects where Jane Austen is buried
– Drive a half hour to Chawton. Visit the Jane Austen Museum, Chawton House, wander the serene countryside, and end the day with a cosy pub supper in a village inn.
Day 6: Optional Extras!
– Leave time for some extra stops that I shared above in the ultimate road trip.
– Or perhaps simply some time for walking trails or smaller stops that feel like they belong in Persuasion or Northanger Abbey.
– We love travelling and having those “quiet, unexpected stops” in little towns and villages that call our name! These are the ones I feel like your heart truly remembers.
Tips for Planning Your Own Austen Road Trip
Also, because it’s Jane Austen 250 year celebrations, make sure to book everything early! Especially for tours at Chatsworth or in Bath, as we know, Austen tourism peaks around anniversary events.
Dress the part! Bring a bonnet scarf, a floral shawl, or a brooch that feels delightfully Austen. When I dress up to visit locations people around usually get a kick out of it!
Mix guided tours with spontaneous detours, there’s Austen in the unexpected as much as the famous.
So there you have it, your Jane Austen road trip! Pack your copy of Pride and Prejudice, turn on that audiobook, and may your journey feel like a novel come to life.
PS just say the word and drop me a message on Instagram, I’m always delighted to help planning in your literary escapes!
Kelly xoxo
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