If only we could all jump on a plane and head to England. Of course, there is much more to see than just the following list. But I’ve promised myself that the next time I make it across the pond I will definitely be visiting these sites.
Chatsworth (aka Pemberley)
When I went to England a few years ago, I desperately wanted to see Chatsworth, but unfortunately they aren’t open in January. They are open Mid-March through December every year however. For more information, check out the
Official Chatsworth Website.
Jane Austen House
There are 4 Great Women Writer’s Houses that I want to see, and Jane’s house is at the top of my list. Jane did much of her writing in this house, which she lived in from 1808 until her death in 1817. Info on tours can be found
here.
Bath
Two of Jane’s novels have events occurring in Bath, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. It is said that the differences in the way Bath is depicted in the two novels, demonstrates Jane’s changing feelings toward Bath. ( In
Northanger Abbey Catherine Morland loves bath, Anne Elliot,
Persuasion, does not) I actually have been to Bath and I loved every minute of it. You can tour an actual Roman Bath, go inside the beautiful Abbey Church of St. Peter, visit shops, see the Royal Crescent, the Fashion Museum, and The Jane Austen Museum. Everything I saw in this town was absolutely amazing!
Lyme
One thing I love about British beaches, they don’t have sand, they have rocks! (I hate sand.) Lyme is the setting for some very important events in
Persuasion. You can walk around The Cobb (the name of their harbor, seen in both versions of Persuasion, it’s the stone wall they walk around on), see the Jurassic Coast, and take boat tours.
Lyme’s Official Website.
Brighton
Brighton is the place Lydia Bennett runs off to (and then away from) in
Pride and Prejudice. You can walk on the pier and visit the museums, and I would definitely visit the Royal Pavillion, which was built by the Prince Regent (Edward IV, hence the
Regency time period). Jane actually hated the Prince, as did a lot of others, but still dedicated
Emma to him, per his “request”.
London
Certainly London today is nothing like the London Jane knew, but the city is beautiful and exciting, which is exactly what girls during her time were looking for. Be sure to tour the Tower of London, visit the Royal Palace and Hyde Park, and for my sake (because I love public transportation and London is where I first experienced it, seriously) ride the Underground. Mind the gap!
Happy Reading!