ジェーン・オースティンの足跡を辿ってチョートンからアルトンへ – ジェーン・オースティン・アルトン・ウォーキング・トレイル

ジェーン・オースティンの足跡を辿ってチョートンからアルトンへ – ジェーン・オースティン・アルトン・ウォーキング・トレイル

Well, you join me in Chawton and it’s lovely 
to be back in Jane Austen country. Today we’re going to do the Jane Austen walking trail from 
Chawton to Alton. Jane and Cassandra would have walked there many a time, doing their shopping, 
Jane may have got the stagecoach there to London,   and there’s lots to see and do. So join 
us as we take this wonderful walking tour. We’ll be back at Chawton House 
later in the video.  Let’s start our walk to Alton. You can get an online 
version of the leaflet at this website. In 1809, a significant chapter in 
Jane Austen’s life commenced with   her move from Southampton to Chawton, 
a village in her native Hampshire. Jane settled into a cottage provided 
by her brother Edward Austen Knight,   who had inherited the Chawton House estate. You 
can find out all about his life and how this came about in a separate video. The links are at 
the end.    We are walking on the road from the house back into the centre of the village. The 
very walk Jane and the family would have made, having been up to the big house to see Edward 
and his family. Jane would often visit Edward when he was around. This was not his primary 
dwelling, living mostly in Godmersham in Kent. This relocation to Chawton marked a return to the 
countryside she cherished and crucially ushered in a period of remarkable literary productivity. 
  We’re making our way into the centre of the village, which is where we’ll find Jane Austen’s 
house. Now you may well have seen that video as well because we’ve done a couple of videos on 
Jane Austen over the years, and we have already   done a house tour, but that’s not what we’re here 
to see today specifically. We’ll be walking past and then carrying on on our route following 
the Jane Austen walking trail into Alton. Ahead of us is the cottage that Edward provided 
for Jane. We’ll come back to that in a second. Turning left onto Winchester Road, our walking 
trail mentions a thatched house with a connection. A friend to the Austen ladies, Miss Benn 
resided in a portion of Thatched Cottage until 1816. Her social life would have 
been interwoven with that of the Austens,   encompassing the local sphere 
that naturally included Alton. So, Jane, her sister Cassandra, her mother and 
Martha Lloyd moved into this property in 1809, and we’re not going to do a tour today because 
I have done that in the past. You can watch that   video in our Jane Austen playlist. It’s 
a very comprehensive tour that millions of you have watched; it’s been very successful, 
but we’ll carry on with our walking tour.   After Jane’s death in 1817, Cassandra continued to 
live at Chawton Cottage with her mother and Martha Lloyd. Her mother passed away in 1827, and 
Martha left to marry Cassandra’s brother Francis in 1828. Cassandra then lived alone at Chawton 
Cottage until her death in 1845 at the age of 72. The tranquillity of Chawton, described as a 
“quiet village” and a “beautiful village”,   undoubtedly provided an environment conducive to 
focused creative work. However, the practicalities of daily life in the Regency era necessitated 
access to a larger commercial and social hub. The nearby market town of Alton fulfilled 
that essential role. Situated approximately a mile and a half from Chawton, Alton was an 
indispensable resource for the Austen women, and that’s where we’re heading. The journey to Alton was and still is a manageable walk at just over 3 miles for a round trip and likely 
a frequent undertaking for the Austen family. This charming cottage was the 
home of the Clinker family,   who ran a blacksmith’s next door. Jane 
wrote that “the coach had stopped at the blacksmith’s”, meaning the stagecoach. 
Probably a horse had thrown a shoe. This is a more modern village 
hall after the Austen’s time,   opposite which is “Prowtings”, 
the home of the Prowting family, who were friends of the Austen family 
and are mentioned in Jane’s letters.   Their daughter Anne Mary married Captain Benjamin 
Clement RN, We’ll speak of him again shortly. Captain Benjamin Clement, who married Anne 
Prowting, lived in this home. Alonsa’s House, with his bride from 1811. He was the son 
of an Alton solicitor and was related by marriage to Edward Gray, Henry Austen’s banking 
partner. Henry was one of Jane’s brothers. A major road that bypasses Chawton is now in our 
way. This would of course not have been an issue for Jane on her walk and she would have just 
continued straight along the Winchester Road. The underpass that safely takes us below 
the road away from Chawton is littered with references to her novels and snippets from 
letters.   “Our day in Alton was very pleasant. The venison quite right. The children, 
well behaved, and Mr and Mrs Digweed, taking kindly to our charades and other games. 
We had a beautiful walk home by moonlight”. That was an extract from Jane Austen’s letter 
to Cassandra on the 8th of September 1816. The map shows us roughly where we are, and 
as we pop up on the other side of the road,   we’re now in the outer limits of Alton. This is still the Winchester Road and 
in Jane’s time it would have been the   main route between London and Portsmouth and 
very busy with stage coaches and carriages. If you want to visit Chawton, Jane Austen’s 
house and Alton, and you’re coming by train, you can come from London Waterloo direct. It’s 
10 stops, takes about an hour and 15 minutes, it’s about £30, and you’ll be doing the walk 
I’m doing but in reverse from Alton to Chawton. Reaching the roundabout, the quiet scenic views   give way to the busy roads leading us 
into the centre of the market town. Just going under the bridge and above is 
the watercress line. It is a heritage steam railway that stops in Alton. A beautiful 
railway visited there a long time ago, but not made a video on it. We’ll 
have to do that at some point,   but it’s worth seeing when you come. Watercress 
line owes its evocative name to the crucial role it once played in transporting vast 
quantities of fresh watercress from   the chalk stream-fed beds of the county to 
the bustling markets of London and beyond. This is Butt Green, an open area on the southern 
edge of Alton that Jane would pass on her way into town. Mr Ventam’s home was a notable 
landmark identified as the only building in this particular part of the parish of Alton 
during the early 19th century. Boy has it changed! This water fountain is interesting, even though 
it’s not something Jane would have seen.    In the late 19th century. Miss Eliza Bell, a resident 
of Boravee Cottage and local philanthropist, faced a challenge. She needed a street lamp 
near her home on the main road. After her appeals to the authorities were ignored, she 
decided to fund a drinking fountain with a   gas lamp herself. This led to the installation 
of the first fountain on Butts Road in 1879, crafted from polished Cornish gray granite and 
bronze it was designed by Sir Charles Barry, best known for his role in the rebuilding 
of the Palace of Westminster in London.    A second matching fountain followed in 
1880 and is elsewhere in the town. We are almost at the high street now as Butts 
Road turns into High Street and the main area where the walking trail highlights 
buildings with close links to Jane. 106 to 110 High Street was a substantial 
property that was the home of James Hinton Bavvertock from 1811 to 1815. Subsequently, 
it was let for 2 years to Jane’s brother, Captain Francis Austen of the Royal Navy. Across 
the road were a couple of lovely properties that I thought were linked to Jane, but it just goes 
to show you need to check the leaflet closely, as it was next door, which is now a Wetherspoon’s 
pub. In 1809, Edward Knight commissioned the Dyer family, local builders at 89 High Street, to 
renovate Chawton Cottage. This preparation was specifically for Jane and her family 
ahead of their move to the residence. Jane had recourse to at least two apothecaries 
in the town. The first at 74 High Street, then Landsdown House, in a sorry 
state today. In 1811, Jane Austen, accompanied by her friend Miss Beckford, 
visited Mr Newman, who was both an apothecary   and a surgeon. This visit inspired Jane to 
compose a humorous verse about the trip. The Swan Hotel, located at 31,33 High Street, 
played a vital role in Jane’s time in Alton. As a significant coaching inn, it served as 
her departure point for trips to London,   as noted in an August 1814 letter referring 
to travel via Collier’s coach service, which left from the Swan. This inn facilitated not just 
passenger transport but also the transportation of goods and mail, effectively linking Alton to the 
larger national communication and trade systems. The high street traverses the course of the River 
Wey and you can walk alongside a short section of the river as it flows between the buildings and 
under the high street on its way to weybridge   and the Thames. The building is the remains of 
the George Inn with timber dating from 1500. In other videos about Jane, you will usually hear 
me refer to her brother Henry as a cleric. Well, he took this path later in life and prior to that 
was successful, for a time in banking. At 10 High Street, Henry established and operated a branch of 
his London bank Austen, Gray and Vincent, between 1806 and 1811. Beyond its financial functions, 
this bank also served as a conduit for some of   Jane’s correspondence between Alton and London, 
underscoring its dual importance in her financial and communicative life. Unfortunately, the bank 
was bankrupt by 1816, and Henry decided to enter the church. In December 1816, he became an ordained 
deacon and was appointed curate of Chawton Parish. No 4 High Street was the location of Jane’s 
other apothecary. Mr William Curtis was Jane’s Alton doctor whom she affectionately and playfully 
referred to in her letters as her “Alton Apothy”. The Curtis family were well established in Alton 
with five generations serving as apothecaries. William Curtis attended to Jane during the initial 
stages of her illness that would eventually prove   fatal, before her condition necessitated a move 
to Winchester for more specialised medical advice. His house stood opposite the Curtis Museum, an 
institution later founded by his son William Curtis Junior. I popped in for a brief look 
around. Stepping inside the welcoming doors of the Curtis Museum, you’ll embark on an exploration 
of Alton’s rich and varied heritage, guiding visitors through different eras and aspects of 
local life. You can marvel at Roman pottery and delve into the area’s agricultural and brewing 
history. A true highlight is the chance to see the “Alton Buckle” up close. This stunning piece of 
Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship is considered one of the   most important archaeological finds in Hampshire. 
Discovered in a warrior’s grave, the buckle is a testament to the incredible skill of its creator. 
Made of gilded silver and intricately decorated with garnets and filigree. It is a powerful symbol 
of wealth and status in the Anglo-Saxon period. While the buckle is undoubtedly a showstopper, 
the Curtis Museum has much more to offer.   The collections are incredibly varied, ensuring 
there is something to capture the interest of every visitor. You can explore the social history 
of the area through exhibits on local industries, childhood and domestic life and the museum 
also tells the story of Sweet Fanny Adams, a local girl whose tragic, mutilated murder in 
1867 sent shock waves through Victorian England. Next time you find yourself in Alton, be 
sure to step back in time at the Curtis Museum. You won’t be disappointed, and it 
is free, but donations are very welcome! We have now reached the top of the high street and 
number one then called Hill House, was the home of the Terry family, old acquaintances of the Austen 
family. Jane records dining at their house with Rebecca Parker Terry, after the death of her husband 
William. Beyond commerce and domestic life, Alton’s spiritual heart also features in 
Jane Austen’s social engagements. Let’s head to St Lawrence Church, not listed on 
the trail, but still an important location. The church often serves as a venue for events 
during the annual Jane Austen Regency Week at the end of June, probably happening right now 
as this video goes live. Organ recital and guided tours highlight the church’s historical 
significance and its ties to the Austen family. It famously played a role in the English Civil 
War, serving as a final point of defence for   the Royalist force during the Battle of Alton in 
1643. Evidence of this dramatic event can still be seen in the form of bullet holes in the church’s 
southern door. I only found this out afterwards,   but was overjoyed to have captured it 
inadvertently as I entered the church. Jane was present at St Lawrence Church for the 
baptisms of Harry and Jane Digweed’s children. The Digweeds were friends of 
her childhood in Steventon,   and these ties endured after 
the Austens’ move to Chawton. If you watched our Walking in Her Footsteps video, 
then you may remember we visited the Steventon church, where the memorials of the Digweed family 
are in the nave front pews. Jane is documented as frequently visiting Mrs Digweed for tea, 
  suggesting a comfortable and ongoing friendship. Her attendance at such significant life events for 
her friends underscores her participation in the communal life of Alton. The churchyard also serves 
as the resting place of some members of the Terry family, further weaving together the narratives 
of the families Jane knew in the area. Alton was more than just a neighbouring town; It was an essential 
extension of Jane Austen’s Chawton world. It provided the services, the society and the link to 
a wider sphere that supported her during her most creative years. Whilst Chawton was her sanctuary, 
Alton was its indispensable partner, a place where the everyday business of life unfolded, 
allowing her genius to flourish. Its streets and buildings still echo with her presence, a 
quiet but enduring part of Jane Austen’s story. Well, that was a lovely church. Well, 
the trail ends here at the top of the   high street in this direction. I need to walk 
back to Chawton because that’s where my car is, but there’s a little bit more I want to 
show you there, and we’re going to pop   into Chawton House just very quickly, 
so I’ll see you when I get back there. So, we’re well on our way back to Chawton 
now. The weather’s deteriorating a little bit,   starting to spit, and the wind is getting up. 
I wanted to share with you an experience we had back in January, we managed to get down 
to Southampton where a special exhibition,   just for a couple of weeks was showcasing Jane 
Austen’s portable writing desk that her father gave her when she was young and she will have 
written many scripts for her novels on that writing desk. So, as we carry on walking back, 
join me in Southampton to have a look at this wonderful artefact. In December 1794, a young 
Jane Austen, on the cusp of her 19th birthday, received a thoughtful and significant present 
from her father, the Reverend George Austen. It was a handsome mahogany writing desk ingeniously 
designed to be portable. It was more than just a birthday or Christmas gift; it was a profound 
gesture of paternal belief in his daughter’s burgeoning literary talents. At a time when a 
woman’s intellectual pursuits were not always encouraged, Reverend Austen’s gift was a clear 
and empowering endorsement of Jane’s passion for writing; the choice of a portable desk was 
particularly insightful. It offered his daughter a private and adaptable creative space in 
a bustling household. She could carry her literary world with her from the busy drawing 
room to the relative quiet of her own chamber, allowing her to capture flashes of inspiration 
wherever and whenever they struck. From the moment she received it, the writing desk became Austen’s 
constant companion. Upon this sloping surface at the worlds of Elizabeth Bennett, Mr Darcy and 
the Dashwood sisters first took shape. It is believed that Austen wrote the initial drafts of 
Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey at this very desk. She also 
used it for her extensive correspondence, her sharp and witty observations on society finding 
their way onto paper within its compact confines. After Jane’s death in 1817, the desk passed down 
through her family for generations, a cherished heirloom holding the indelible imprints of her 
genius. For many years, it resided with her descendants, a private treasure out of the public 
eye. Then, in a remarkable act of generosity, Jane Austen’s great, great, GREAT niece, Joan 
Austen Leigh, donated the writing desk to the British Library in 1999. Today, this iconic piece 
of literary history is one of the library’s most treasured artefacts, allowing admirers 
from all over the world to gaze upon the very surface where some of the most enduring 
novels in the English language were crafted. This is one of three pairs of spectacles found 
in her writing desk, which were examined,   revealing that her vision worsened 
over time. The glasses suggest she experienced a decline in sight that would 
have made it difficult to read or write. Its presence serves as a powerful and moving 
reminder of the young woman whose sharp mind and quiet determination, aided by her 
father’s belief in a simple wooden box, created a literary legend that 
continues to captivate and inspire. Well, I didn’t make it. There 
was a short, sharp shower,   and I did get wet. I managed to keep 
a little bit dry on the underpass, which was helpful. Fingers crossed it 
stops cuz I’ve left my raincoat in the car! Well, I’ve grabbed my jacket from the 
car just in case it does rain again,   but I’m pretty much back at Chawton House where 
we started the video earlier. It’s taken just over half an hour to walk back from Alton, 
at a fairly brisk pace, I suppose. Obviously, I was looking at everything whilst we were 
walking there and not so much on the way back,   so it was probably a bit quicker, but now I’m 
going to pop into Chawton House just very quickly, before we bring this video to an end. If you want to find out all about Edward 
Austen Knight, then do watch our Chawton House video, a comprehensive guide 
to Jane Austen’s brother and his life and the impact he had on Jane’s life 
actually. So you can watch that at the end, I’m gonna go and have a well-earned 
cup of tea in the lovely tea room here. Well, it looks like we won’t 
be getting a drink after all,   it’s already closed. I’ve missed it by 
about 10 minutes. Oh well, never mind. I think what we’ll do then is, we’ll 
pop to see the graves of Jane’s sister and mother that are in the cemetery 
here, and we’ll end our video there. You don’t need a house ticket to 
visit the tearoom or the church,   so even if you don’t feel like a tour 
of the house, do come and visit. Our Chawton House video included a look inside the 
church, so we won’t repeat it in this video. Well, there we are, ahead of us is Cassandra 
Austen, who died on the 18th of January 1827, that’s Jane’s mother, and then 
Jane’s sister to the right, Cassandra Elizabeth Austen, the 
22nd of March 1845, aged 72. Thank you so much for watching, hope you enjoyed 
the walk from Chawton to Alton. The historic information and places that may have touched 
Jane’s life. It’s been a fantastic afternoon, even if the weather is now turned grey. Hope you 
enjoyed all the videos that we’ve shared with you for the 250th anniversary of her birth, and thank 
you for watching. Do look at the playlist if you want to look back at any of our older videos. 
Our walking in Jane’s footsteps, Chawton House, which is just here, and also Jane’s house, we’ve 
got tours of those as well. So plenty to see if you love Jane Austen. Thanks so much for watching, 
do subscribe, join us again, take care, bye-bye.

Following Jane Austen from Chawton to Alton – Jane Austen Alton Walking Trail
In this video, we invite you to embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Hampshire, England, to discover the real-life world of one of history’s most celebrated authors. We’re taking a walk along the official Jane Austen walking trail, a path that intimately connects the charming village of Chawton with the bustling market town of Alton.
Prepare to be transported back to the early 19th century as we uncover the places that Jane Austen knew and loved, the very scenery that framed her most productive writing years. This isn’t just a tour; it’s a pilgrimage to the soul of Jane Austen’s England, where every cobblestone and country lane has a story to tell.

Our adventure commences in the idyllic village of Chawton, a place of immense historical significance for any admirer of Jane Austen’s work. It was here, in a modest cottage, that Jane spent the last eight and most prolific years of her life. From 1809 until 1817, this humble abode was her sanctuary, a place where she revised manuscripts for Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice and went on to write Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion.

From the serenity of Chawton, we will follow the well-trodden path to the vibrant town of Alton, a place that served as Jane Austen’s crucial link to the wider world. This historic market town was a hub of activity, a place for shopping, socialising, and catching the coach to London to visit her publisher. As we stroll along the historic High Street, we’ll point out the buildings and landmarks that have stood since her time, imagining her navigating the very same streets. We’ll explore the significance of the local coaching inns, the bank where her brother Henry was a partner, and the beautiful St. Lawrence’s Church, a site of worship and community for centuries.

AS A BONUS! JANE AUSTEN TRAVELLING WRITING DESK
We visit Southampton to get a close-up look at the travelling writing desk that Jane Austen was given by her father on the cusp of her 19th Birthday. A real treasure that is hardly ever seen outside of the British Library.

It is a perfect escape for history buffs, nature lovers, and anyone seeking to understand the life of one of the world’s greatest authors.

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With thanks to www.google.com and Google Earth for the use of there images.
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Chawton to Alton
09:07 Winchester Road to Alton
10:58 Butts Road
13:33 Alton High Street
17:57 Curtis Museum
20:19 St Lawrence Church
23:17 Jane Austen Portable Writing Desk
28:54 Chawton House
30:54 Graves of Jane’s Mother and Sister

#janeausten #janeausten250 #alton