Photo: Chawton House by Ray Moseley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
In the Hampshire village of Chawton stands a Grade II* listed Elizabethan manor house, begun in 1580.
Chawton House sits close to the cottage where Jane Austen lived, on land once owned by her brother Edward Austen Knight.
The house now works as a library and research centre for early women's writing, holding over 9,000 books and manuscripts.
Visitors can tour the house and gardens, and the surrounding parkland is open to walkers at all times.
Read more on WikipediaHistory
The present house was started in 1580 and passed through private ownership for centuries, including to Edward Austen Knight, Jane Austen's brother, in the late 18th century. It remained in family and private hands into the late 20th century, when a charitable trust bought it, carried out extensive restoration, and opened it as a research centre linked with the University of Southampton.
Architecture
The house is an Elizabethan manor dating from 1580, listed Grade II* for its historic and architectural interest.
Worth knowing
The house belonged to Edward Austen Knight, brother of Jane Austen, and stands near the cottage where she lived and wrote. It now houses the research library of the Centre for the Study of Early Women's Writing, 1600-1830.
Gardens & grounds
The grounds include a walled garden and wilderness, with parkland to the south open to walkers at all times.
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Alton Rail Station (1.9 miles)
Chawton House, its gardens and library are generally open to the public, though the house itself is typically open on a limited number of days per week; check the official website for current opening days and times.
Nearby properties