“They’re your people,” Mom said to me after we had paid the Jane Austen Society.
They were elderly British women. I certainly did feel a kinship with them. In that moment I might as well have been an old British woman with them.
I explored every room in the house and drooled over the costumes. The light filtered through the windows and I filed in line behind some other observers down the tiny hallways. I hadn’t been sure what to expect with the house. It reminded me of the Longbourn house from Pride and Prejudice. The house wasn’t grand or elegant, but simple and homey. I could imagine Jane Austen walking through the narrows halls.
When we found another souvenir room, my mom practically had to drag me away from buying a copy of Pride and Prejudice. I stared up at the bookshelf longingly. The covers were different than the ones back in the States. An elderly woman sat in the corner ready to take people’s money.
“You already have one,” Mom reminded me.
She didn’t understand, though. This was a book from Jane Austen’s house! But, I refrained. Instead I purchased a little painting of the Chawton house that still hangs on a wall in my bedroom.
After taking a few pictures around the house, we started back towards Alton. The pure happiness that filled me made me feel like a kid again.
We waited for the bus and I couldn’t stop looking down at my little painting. I would always remember this day. In fact, I would always remember this trip. My mom wanted to go on one big trip with me before I started school and moved away. This one would certainly be memorable. We would always remember the craziness of Camden Town, seeing a lady get pulled aside for videotaping in the Tower of London, and the way we couldn’t figure out the Tube the first day. But the most memorable thing would be the trip to Jane Austen’s house.
Article comments
1 - Anna Meade
My mom and I are going on an Austen trip too. I can't wait!
2 - Colleen
As a fellow Jane Austen fan, I salute you! I've been to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, but not to Chawton. One day ...
3 - KJ
@ Anna Meade Hopefully you have more luck with directions on your trip. Have fun!
@Colleen Thanks! It was an adventure, for sure. I definitely recommend visiting Chawton. Hopefully one day I'll get to go to Bath, too.
4 - Kirk
Great story! As irony would have it, I was there on this date last year! I drove(not fun in towns and cities), as I was staying with a friend in Somerset, and seeing my beloved favorite band in Bristol the next day. Lol, I actually drove by the house and didn't see it. Luckily, Chawton is a one stop sign sort of village. The Church is wonderful too. I drove to Winchester afterwards and that was extremely moving. Didn't have such a great time in Bath the next day, couldn't find the carpark...did make to the concert with 15 minutes to spare.
5 - KJ
@ Kirk Thanks! I loved Winchester! You didn't stop and see the house? Chawton's a pretty simple place, and we probably made it way more difficult than it should have been. Glad you made it to the concert on time!
6 - Kirk
@KJ Thanks for your reply! Lol, I'm as clear as mud! I turned around and found a parking spot on the street. I so enjoyed the house! I asked if I could take a photo of the replica piano(since Jane played every day). They asked if I played, badly I said. Play they said! I played abit from my very limited memory, of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Lark Ascending(one of my favorites). The previous day I had seen his marker in Westminister! His 9th Sym is connected with the Salisbury Plain, which I drove thru after Winchester. Thanks for allowing me to relive that day!!!
7 - KJ
@ Kirk No problem! Glad my story could help you to relive that day!