Walking Jane Austen's World

This is a two day three night walking break in the beautiful Hampshire countryside that was the inspiration for the works of Jane Austen, author of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and many others. The walk takes you right past the house where the authoress lived and which is open to the public. Furthermore, you may like to make use of the picturesque railway line, the Watercress Line, that runs between Alresford and Alton. This holiday can run on any day, subject to accommodation availability, but you may like to check the opening hours of Jane Austen's house and the timetable of the railway from the links below.

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Winchester for overnight in the ancient capital of England with its historic town centre and magnificent cathedral.

Day 2: Walk to Alresford. Starting at Winchester Cathedral, the route weaves its way east through the picturesque Itchen Valley, taking in several pretty and unspoilt Hampshire villages, enabling the walker to visit numerous churches with pilgrimage connections and welcoming country pubs. The beautiful village of Alresford for overnight. 9 miles/14.4 kms

Day 3: A pretty walk across country and through woodland, passing through several little villages to finally arrive at Chawton, Jane Austen's ancestral home and thence the last stretch into the town of Alton, from where you return to Alresford for overnight. 12 miles/19.2 kms

Day 4: Departure after breakfast. Return to Winchester either by taxi (arrange locally) or by bus (regular services to Winchester, 15 minute journey).

GETTING THERE

RAIL: The walk begins in Winchester, which is on the main railway line from London (Waterloo). There are also direct services to Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournmouth, Weymouth, Leeds, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester and others.
AIR: The nearest airport is Southampton, with direct rail connection to Winchester (35 minutes).

LINKS
www.watercressonline.co.uk/index.php

http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/