Celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen

Jane Austen, regarded as one of the greatest authors to have ever lived, was born in the charming rural village of Steventon, Basingstoke, in 1775. Her whole childhood and formative years were shaped in Basingstoke and Deane, where she remained surrounded by countryside and picturesque scenery until she was 25 years old.

Jane's first 25 years of life were spent undertaking a spot of shopping in Overton and Basingstoke, walking to meet friends at Oakley Hall and Goldings, attending local regency dances and being gifted a very significant mahogany writing desk for her 19th birthday, from  John Ring's house in Church Steet! 

All of her experiences moulded her imagination and her societal observations provided significant foundations for her famous and groundbreaking novels that would later be published; literature such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility. 

Jane’s stories highlight the world of the English gentry as she experienced it. Her subtle yet poignant words could be both humorous and heart-breaking. She gave women a voice at a time when their views were not valued in the same way as their male counterparts. Testament to her incredible talent as an author, her books are still well-known to this day and have been adapted for films and stage productions.

A series of special events were put together last year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth by organisations and attractions from across the borough, including Whitchurch Silk Mill, The Vyne, The Willis Museum, Steventon, The Overton Trails and Anvil Arts. Events also took place in areas across Hampshire, including Winchester, Alton and Chawton. Although many anniversary celebrations have passed, you can still visit the attractions across the borough and further afield.