Top Jane Austen sites to visit in England

If you’ve ever longed to stroll through a sweeping estate like Elizabeth Bennet, take tea in a Georgian drawing room, or gaze out to sea like Anne Elliot on the Cobb at Lyme Regis – you’re in the right place.

Jane Austen’s world isn’t just confined to the pages of her novels or the dreamy haze of period drama adaptations. Across England, you’ll find real-life places that inspired her writing, shaped her stories, and still carry the quiet charm of the Regency era. From quaint country villages to grand manor houses and bustling Georgian cities, each destination on this list brings you closer to the world she knew and loved.

Whether you’re a lifelong admirer or new to Austen’s world, this guide will take you on a literary journey through history, beauty, and all the places where hearts may flutter – even without a letter from Mr Darcy in hand.

Are you ready to explore some of the top Jane Austen sites in England?

1. Jane Austen’s House – Chawton, Hampshire

This is the essential stop for Jane Austen fans – it’s her charming cottage where she lived for the last 8 years of her life and wrote or revised many of her most famous pieces of writing – Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. It’s now a museum where you can see items from Jane’s history – letters, keepsakes, portraits and even the desk where she wrote.

Location – Chawton, Hampshire

Price – around £15 per adult (accurate in 2025)

2. Chawton House, Hampshire

This one might sound similar but it’s a different place to visit, although very close by. Chawton House was actually owned by Jane’s brother. This stunning Elizabethan manor is today a research centre for early women’s writing, and the gardens and library are just delightful.

There’s a Jane Austen Garden Trail where you can walk in her footsteps as she must have done on visits to her family and there are some quotes dotted around from her books.

Location – Chawton, Hampshire

Price – Around £25

3. City of Bath, Somerset

Jane lived in Bath for several years, and it features prominently in Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

There are a number of sites that will be of interest to Jane Austen fans. Why not visit:

• The Jane Austen Centre
• Royal Crescent (pictured)
• Assembly Rooms
• Pulteney Bridge

And if you really are a huge fan of Jane, consider visiting in September when a huge 10 day festival takes place with balls, tours, regency outfits and much more!

Check out my post about Bath – honestly if you’re a fan of regency dramas or literary greats you’ll adore it there! Much of the Bridgerton series is filmed there too.

4. Winchester, Hampshire

Jane Austen spent her final days in the city of Winchester and was buried in the cathedral there. You can visit and see where she was laid to rest and the plaque which commemorates her. Admission is around £14.

After many years of private ownership you can also now see her final home as well which is being opened to the public at 8 College Street in 2025 to celebrate 250 years since she was born.

5. Steventon, Hampshire

This is where Jane was born and lived for the first 25 years of her life. The rectory is no longer standing, but the church where her father preached still is – and it’s a quietly magical place for Austen fans.

This would be a great stop if you’re already visiting some of Hampshire’s other Jane Austen sites.

6. Lyme Regis, Dorset

This beautiful seaside town features in Persuasion and was a real-life holiday destination for Jane. Walk the famous Cobb, enjoy the coastal views, and imagine Anne Elliot’s fateful fall.

7. Lyme House, Near Manchester

If you want iconic scenes from a period drama, this house is it. It’s the one used in the 1995 series with Colin Firth – yes that lake scene – and it’s a stunning place to visit.

It’s close by to Manchester and so will be ideal to visit if you’re in the North of England.

8. Lacock, Wiltshire

A filming location for the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice (Mr Darcy fans, take note!), Lacock is a perfectly preserved village and often used in period dramas. You’ll find some Harry Potter locations here too!

9. Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Believed to be Jane’s real life inspiration for Pemberley (and was a filming location in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film), Chatsworth is grand, elegant, and the perfect spot for fans of Mr Darcy.

You can explore the house or just enjoy the vast estate or gardens here!

10. Basildon Park, Berkshire

Used as Netherfield in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, this Georgian mansion has all the glamour of a Regency ball setting.

11. Stourhead, Wiltshire

Remember that dramatic rain-soaked proposal scene in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice? That was filmed here, by the Temple of Apollo – definitely one for the romantics.

12. The Peak District, Derbyshire

Ideal for long windswept walks and moody vistas – this area of the UK, easily reached from Manchester or Sheffield, features in several adaptations and captures the spirit of Austen’s dramatic countryside settings. Want to recreate Kiera Knightley’s scene in Pride and Prejudice? Head to Stanage Edge!