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A Jane Austen Year

A Jane Austen Year

By: Jane Austen's House
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Welcome to A Jane Austen Year – a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in.


Created and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire – the most treasured Austen site in the world.

© 2025 A Jane Austen Year
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Episodes
  • July
    Jun 30 2025

    ‘July’ sees Jane, Cassandra and their mother move into this house in Chawton, an event that Jane celebrated with a playful poem letter to her brother Frank. In this month also Lizzy Bennet visits Pemberley for the first time, and we admire a painting of Godmersham by William Watts and examine Jane's donkey carriage. July is also the month of Jane's death in 1817, and of her burial in Winchester Cathedral. Over 130 years later, in July 1949, Jane Austen's House first opened to visitors.

    ~

    A Jane Austen Year transports you to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the idyllic Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote her globally beloved novels – now a beloved museum.

    Each month, join us on a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in. Discover scenes, letters, recipes, and objects from the museum collection, bound together with readings and sounds recorded in the House itself.

    Each episode is recorded by the people who work at Jane Austen’s House, caring for this special place and protecting it for future generations.

    ‘July’ was voiced by: Lizzie Dunford, Jenny Durrant, Jessica Halmshaw, Julia McLeod, Sophie Reynolds and Rebecca Wood.

    Find out more about some of the objects featured in this episode:
    Poem letter to Frank Austen
    Painting of Godmersham Park by William Watts
    Jane Austen's donkey carriage

    Episode website
    https://janeaustens.house/news/podcast/

    Script: Sophie Reynolds
    Cover Artwork:Jessica Halmshaw
    Sound & Original Music: Dominic Gerrard

    This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

    If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

    Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

    This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

    If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

    Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

    This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

    If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

    Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • June
    May 31 2025

    ‘June’ takes us to Emma - the perfect summer novel, with its picnic on Box Hill and strawberry picking at Donwell Abbey. We also mark the birthdays of Lydia Bennet and Elizabeth Elliot, as well as that of Charles Austen - Jane's 'own particular little brother'. We visit the battlefields of Waterloo, Jane attends a gala in Sidney Gardens complete with fireworks and illuminations, and we enjoy the first blooms of the Blush Noisette rose on the wall of the House.

    ~

    A Jane Austen Year transports you to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the idyllic Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote her globally beloved novels – now a beloved museum.

    Each month, join us on a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in. Discover scenes, letters, recipes, and objects from the museum collection, bound together with readings and sounds recorded in the House itself.

    Each episode is recorded by the people who work at Jane Austen’s House, caring for this special place and protecting it for future generations.

    ‘June’ was voiced by: Lizzie Dunford, Jenny Durrant, Jessica Halmshaw, Julia McLeod, Emma Moffatt, Sophie Reynolds and Rebecca Wood, with a guest appearance from Dominic Gerrard. The soundscape features soprano Georgina White.

    Find out more about some of the objects featured in this episode:
    Portrait miniature of Mary Pearson

    Episode website
    https://janeaustens.house/news/podcast/

    Script: Sophie Reynolds
    Cover Artwork:Jessica Halmshaw
    Sound & Original Music: Dominic Gerrard

    This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

    If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

    Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

    This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

    If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

    Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • May
    Apr 30 2025

    ‘May’ celebrates the garden here at Jane Austen's House, both as it was in Jane Austen's time and as it is today. We also drive along the Hogs Back, visit Bath and Winchester, examine Jane and Cassandra's 'topaze crosses' and the Austen women's patchwork coverlet, and witness the formation of the Jane Austen Society. We see Lydia joyfully depart for Brighton and accompany Emma and Frank Churchill to the much-anticipated ball at the Crown...

    ~

    A Jane Austen Year transports you to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the idyllic Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote her globally beloved novels – now a beloved museum.

    Each month, join us on a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in. Discover scenes, letters, recipes, and objects from the museum collection, bound together with readings and sounds recorded in the House itself.

    Each episode is recorded by the people who work at Jane Austen’s House, caring for this special place and protecting it for future generations.

    ‘May’ was voiced by: Lizzie Dunford, Jenny Durrant, Lisa Felix, Jessica Halmshaw, Julia McLeod, Sophie Reynolds, Rebecca Wood and Celia Simpson, with a guest appearance by Dominic Gerrard.

    Find out more about some of the objects featured in this episode:
    Letter from Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen, 26 May 1801
    Topaz crosses
    Patchwork coverlet
    Dining Room grate

    Episode website
    https://janeaustens.house/news/podcast/

    Script: Sophie Reynolds
    Cover Artwork:Jessica Halmshaw
    Sound & Original Music: Dominic Gerrard

    This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

    If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

    Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
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