edel's corner

trip to chawton and winchester

In the summer of 2003, my husband and I attended a conference in Cambridge, UK. After that we used a week of our vacation to travel to various spots in England that held some interest for us. As an Austen afficionado, I of course wanted to see Chawton and Winchester. Below are a few photos my husband took in those two places.

In 1809 the Austen ladies, Mrs. Austen and her two daughters Cassandra and Jane, moved to Chawton into a small red-brick cottage on one of the estates of Jane's brother Edward.

A serene garden surrounds Chawton Cottage, where Jane is said to have spent much time in the fresh air. Of course, legendary stories abound as to which shrubs and trees still growing there today were planted by Jane herself.

Side entrance of Chawton Cottage

The finances of the Austen ladies did not allow for the upkeep of a full carriage, but they did have this little dogcart to carry them about.

Today we most likely need an office with a state-of-the-art computer on a large desk to write our essays and reports. Jane Austen had only this small occasional table in the sitting room of Chawton Cottage. Still, she produced some of the finest literary works.

Winchester was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. William the Conqueror also built one of his first English castles here. The present building of the cathedral was begun in 1097. Originally it was a Benedictine monastery. Continual modifications of the building were undertaken until the early 16th century. However, some of the Norman architecture still remains until today.

Jane Austen is buried in the nave of the cathedral. In the inscription of the plaque above the grave much emphasis is given — rightly or wrongly — to the "sweetness of her temper" but no mention is made of her writings.

When her health declined sharply, early in 1817, Jane Austen was moved to Winchester to be under constant and better medical care. She only lived a few months longer in this house in College Street and died — only 41 year old — on July 18th, 1817.

For more information on Jane Austen and her works, please see the guide to Jane Austen's writings, life and times.

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© 2004 Edel Sturcke