2025 marks 250 years since Jane Austen was born and throughout her life she lived, travelled and visited destinations along or within easy reach of the Great West Way. These locations inspired the authors work and have been brought to life in film and tv adaptations of her books.
Cities, Towns and Villages Connected to Jane Austen
With Jane’s connections to Bath, Winchester, Chawton and Reading, it is no surprise that her novels have been inspired by these quaint towns, villages, and picturesque countryside. In 2025, these iconic destinations along the Great West Way, will be home to a whole host of Austen inspired events, exhibitions and activities.
Visit Winchester along the East of the Great West Way Route
In Winchester, step inside No. 8 College Street, the house Jane Austen spent the last weeks of her life. Continue the journey of Jane’s final weeks at Winchester Cathedral, where visitors can see Jane Austen’s grave, a handwritten poem and, a statue of the author to be unveiled in the Cathedral Close in October. Several of Jane Austen’s personal possessions will be exhibited at City Museum, while visitors can explore the lives of Georgian working women in a specially curated exhibition at The Arc. The iconic Great Hall will also host some spectacular events including a Regency Ball, a Regency Fashion Show and a talk by presenter and author, Lucy Worsley.
Explore other parts of Hampshire
Hampshire, Jane Austen’s home county, presents a host of special events, tours and exhibitions to celebrate her remarkable life and works. At Jane Austen’s House, where she lived and wrote her novels, visitors can take part in themed festivals and see two new exhibitions. A Regency-themed Country Fair will take place on site of the Steventon Rectory where she spent the first 25 years of her life. In Southampton, where the family lived from 1806 to 1809, an exhibition of rare paintings, letters, books and personal items linked to Jane will be on display to the public for the first time at SeaCity Museum, and a variety of performances, talks and guided tours will take place around the city. Alton will be conducting a week of celebrations, including a Summer Regency Ball and a full programme of Austen-themed events.
Museums Celebrating Jane Austen along the Great West Way
Reading Musuem
Reading Museum is marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth throughout the year. Reading has many connections to Jane Austen and her family. Reading Museum cares for the historic Abbey Gateway where Jane and her sister Cassandra attended the Reading Ladies Boarding School in 1785-1786. The school is often cited as the inspiration for Austen’s Mrs Goddard’s School in Emma. Reading Museum activities and events include:
- Guided tours to visit Jane's Austen's historic school.
- Jane Austen talks and workshops exploring her life, times and connections to Reading and the Thames Valley.
See the full event list here.
Museum of Rural English Life
The Museum of English Rural Life are joining in with the global celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, whose novels like Pride and Prejudice have brought rural English scenes to readers around the globe.
Visitors can explore an original letter from Austen to her sister Cassandra, one of just 160 letters to survive her death. Learn about Austen’s links to rural England through a special Austen-themed trail and try your hand at historic skills from Austen’s era in a series of special workshops.
Step Back in Time when visiting Wiltshire
The Parade House, Trowbridge
Located in the historic centre of Trowbridge, the county town of Wiltshire, Parade House is an impressive Grade 1 Listen Georgian townhouse, built in 1720, where Jane Austen is said to have stopped off when on her way from Hampshire to Bath. As part of the Jane Austen Festival (12–21 September 2025), their Regency-costumed ‘Ladies & Gentlemen on Parade’ event is filmed by the BBC. Throughout the year you can visit for house tours, fine-dining and Regency Cream Teas in The Ballroom, watch performances by The Jane Austen Dancers of Bath, enjoy Jane Austen-themed screenings in the luxury cinema housed within the historic vaults, and National Trust’s Heritage Open Days.
Bowood House and Gardens, Calne
At nearby Bowood, Dr. Lizzie Rogers, a women’s history specialist with a passion for Jane Austen, will present a 75-minute talk, Jane Austen in the Georgian Period, offering insights into the lives of young women in Georgian society (September 20-21). This connects to Jane Austen’s own life, as she was once a tenant of the 2nd Marquess of Lansdowne, who owned Bowood House.
Explore Bath, Jane Austen's Second Home
Bath, a city both loved and ridiculed by Jane Austen, is home to a range of regency inspired attractions, activities and events taking place all year round in celebration of the Author who spent a lot of her life in this Georgian City.
In & Beyond Bath
In and Beyond Bath offers day tours encompassing Cotswolds, Lacock, and Bath. Take inspiration frmo Jane Austen's novels when you embark on an enchanting journey to unearth the essence of authentic England. Their unique tours encapsulate the importance of slow travel along the Great West Way whilst offering an intimate exploration that marries iconic landmarks with untouched treasures, revealing the soul of quintessential England.
Bath Bus Company
Enjoy the Hop on with Jane Austen bus and walking Tootbus tour, with unlimited hop-on hop-off access across two bus routes, exploring iconic landmarks like the Royal Crescent and Roman Baths at your leisure. This open-top bus tour brings to life the locations that inspired Jane Austen’s timeless novels with audio guides available in 10 languages and breathtaking views of Georgian architecture, paired with the captivating Pride & Promenade Tootwalk.
Celebrate 250 Years of Jane Austen with GWR
Celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen when travelling with Great Western Railway by using the Great West Way Discoverer Pass. Follow in Austen’s footsteps and explore a range of iconic destinations linked to her life from Windsor to Reading to Bath. There are plenty of regency events and activities taking place across the Great West Way throughout 2025. If you don’t think you have time to make the most of the pass, book direct at GWR.com and save over 50% when you book in advance.
Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or discovery, there's always more to explore with Great Western Railway.
A Jane Austen Escape with Exclusive Collection
Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday with a magical duo destination stay near Bath and Winchester, two places that played a significant part in Austen's life. Mark the 250 years anniversary with two nights of pure charm and luxury at Exclusive Collection’s Lainston House, set in 63 acres of Hampshire countryside yet just 5 minutes from Winchester city and The Manor House, located in the iconic Cotswold village of Castle Combe, just 30 minutes from Bath city. With tickets to both The Jane Austen Centre in Bath and Winchester Cathedral where Austen rests, and plenty of other Austen hot spots to visit nearby, this is the perfect bucket-list break for any Jane Austen fan. This two-night escape combines history, literary inspiration, and 5-star indulgence in a quintessentially English countryside setting. This exciting package includes:
- An overnight stay in luxurious accommodation at Lainston House and The Manor House
- A delicious breakfast to start each of your days
- Complimentary tickets to Winchester Cathedral in Wicnhester and The Jane Austen Centre in Bath
Book your escape now.
Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen (1775-1817) with a Great West Way journey to celebrate one of the most famous, and quintessentially English novelists of all time. Explore the route as you discover a range of well-known destinations, linked to Austen's life, as well as several Regency-themed experiences to inspire you along the way. Taking place across the Great West Way, there will be plenty of exciting things to do in celebration! From Georgian Afternoon Teas, to Jane Austen inspired museum trips and visits to iconic filming locations, Check out what's on to mark 250 years of Jane Austen this year!
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