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One of Hampshire’s most well known ‘daughters’, author Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817), was born and is buried in this beautiful county, which was also an inspiration for many of her famous novels.

From her earlier home in Steventon, near Basingstoke she wrote the first drafts of Northanger Abbey, Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, while many were finished at her last home in Chawton, near Alton, which now houses an excellent museum dedicated to the Austen family. She wrote her famous works drawing on the large circle of friends, social gatherings and places around Hampshire, and other areas of England, that she visited to devise the characters and settings for her novels.

Jane Austen’s House Museum
 

The 200th anniversary will be celebrated with a year-long series of events at Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton. The novel captured the hearts of the country when it was published in 1813, and continues to do so, through television and film adaptations as well as countless editions of the book.

The Beginning
Steventon, where Jane Austen was born is a pretty village in the heart of the South Downs comprising a church and a cluster of chocolate box houses. The village rectory where she lived for some 25 years (her father was the rector) was demolished soon after the family moved to Bath and returned to meadow; volunteers carrying out an archaeological dig on the site in 2011 unearthed artefacts which are beginning to reveal information about the author’s early home life. The church remains largely unchanged, and makes a great starting point for any Austen fan. Like Elizabeth Bennett in Pride & Prejudice, Jane was a keen walker and often made the journey to Popham Lane, where the family collected their letters from the inn at North Waltham, today the Wheatsheaf Hotel.

In the summer of 1783, when Jane was 12 years old, she was sent to Oxford to be taught with her sister Cassandra; later they studied in Reading and Southampton before their schooling was curtailed due to constraints on the family finances. Jane returned to the family home at Steventon Rectory in 1787, where she remained for her young adulthood and discovered her passion for writing, penning several short stories and poems. Aged 26, Jane moved with her family to Bath, where they lived for five years (1801-1806) in a series of regency townhouses.

Returning to Hampshire
Following the death of her father, Jane returned to Hampshire and after a spell living in Southampton moved to a village cottage on the Chawton House Estate (1809) that her brother Edward had inherited. It was in Chawton that Jane spent her most prolific writing years, and where she published her first novel, Sense & Sensibility, in 1811 under the mysterious pseudonym 'A Lady'. Today, the house is Jane Austen's House Museum, containing many of the Austen’s belongings and furniture as well as some original letters and manuscripts.

To mark the anniversary of Pride & Prejudice, Jane's most successful novel, the museum is hosting a series of talks, workshops and events during 2013. These will include two exhibitions: The Story of Pride & Prejudice, in which the novel's illustrations by Thompson will create a trail around the house (mid-January - May), and She Had Dressed With More Than Usual Care, an exhibition of the costumes worn in the much-loved 1995 BBC adaptation starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle (October - December).

Chawton House
 

Nearby is Chawton House, owned by Jane’s brother Edward, and where she was a frequent visitor; the graves of Jane's mother and sister can be found in the ancient church. Over 400 years old, the magnificent house is now the inspirational setting for the Chawton House Library, which houses a rare collection of women's writing from 1600-1830 including various editions of Pride & Prejudice. It offers readers the chance to experience their text in its inspiring setting, which also features paintings of some of the authors. Guided tours take place every Tuesday and most Thursdays at 2.30pm. 

Alton, Selborne and Petersfield
Jane is linked with many towns and attractions in Hampshire; while living at Chawton she shopped in Alton and is said to have collected her post and stayed overnight at The Swan Hotel, a former coaching inn situated in the town’s High Street. A trail takes visitors to the many places in both Chawton and Alton associated with Jane’s life.

The pretty village of Selborne, just four miles from Chawton, was home to the famous naturalist and author Gilbert White whose brother, Benjamin, was a great friend of Jane’s. Benjamin, and the birth of his son, are mentioned in her Collected Letters. The son, Jack, of one of Gilbert White’s many nephews became a doctor, and for a time was based in Alton where he became Jane’s physician. Jane was also enthusiastic about the local book society in Alton and recruited the Reverend Edmund White, another of Gilbert White’s nephews to the society. Gilbert White’s home in Selborne, The Wakes, is now open to the public as a museum and is also home to the Oates Collection, which tells the story of Captain Oates part in Scott’s final Antarctic expedition.

Jane’s brother Henry, said to be her favourite, was a partner of a bank with branches in Alton, Petersfield and Hythe and apparently looked after her affairs in later years. An unissued bank note from the Alton Bank is exhibited in the British Museum. Sadly the banks failed, Henry was declared bankrupt and became a schoolmaster and clergyman like his father. The site of Henry's Petersfield bank is now the entrance to the shopping centre; the ground floor has been lost but the second floor of this medieval building remains above the entrance, although it is not visible from the outside.

The free entry Flora Twort Gallery, part of the Petersfield Museum, is also planning a display of fine regency costume from Jane’s period to run from 12 March until 30 September. It will showcase some key dresses and accessories from the era, all drawn from the museum’s Bedales Costume Collection.

The Story Ends in Winchester
Jane became ill and travelled to Winchester in May 1817 to be near her physician. Here, she stayed in a house on College Street (marked today by a blue plaque) close to the imposing Winchester Cathedral, until she died on 18 July aged just 41. The Cathedral, where Jane Austen was laid to rest, has an illustrated exhibition running throughout the year that tells the story of Jane Austen's life in Hampshire: her birth and childhood in Steventon, her writing and life in Chawton and her final few weeks.

Visitors can walk through the exhibition at their own pace and see Jane's memorial stone as well as the wall-mounted brass plaque that was added in 1872 to further address her literary achievements.

Visitors will be able to view a four metre long Thornycroft truck being built from around 150,000 LEGO® bricks between Tuesday, 26 February and Sunday, 14 April 2013. This will complement the museum’s collection of vintage Thornycroft vehicles.

LEGO® Mania 2013 follows the successful spring 2012 event, when around 36,000 LEGO® fans visited Milestones to see a fantastic scale model of historic Basing House constructed at the museum.

Bright Bricks, who helped TV’s James May achieve his dream night in a LEGO® house, will build the model co-ordinated by Duncan Titmarsh, the only certified LEGO® builder in the UK. The model will be built in front of visitors on the indoor ‘showground’ in Milestones Museum and displayed throughout the Easter holidays.

There will also be an array of themed events surrounding the build, including competitions, a LEGO® Minifigure hunt, LEGO® and DUPLO® play tables and a new graffiti wall plus a photographic gallery and exhibition of LEGO® models such as an Olympic stadium. Pre-booked, and pre-paid, workshops offer visitors a chance to build and customise their own Minifigures and to join in other activities. Events will vary from day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum entrance fee.

Advance booking is recommended either via the museum’s website www.milestones-museum.com/lego or by calling +44 (0)1256 477766.

Milestones is open Tuesday-Friday from 10am to 4.45pm and weekends from 11am closing at 4.45pm with last admission at 3.45pm. It’s closed on Mondays apart from 8 April during this event. Until 31 March 2013 adult admission is £8.50; concession £7.50, child (aged 5-15) £5 and family (2+2) £25; from 1 April 2013 this rises to adult £8.70, concession £7.70, child (aged 5-15) £5.15 and family (2+2) £26. Group rates for 15+ persons are available by pre-booking only.

Entrance is free to Culture-all passport holders, www.culture-all.co.uk and Milestones annual/life members. Vouchers, discounts and Tesco Clubcard days out vouchers are not permitted for this event. Workshops must be booked and paid for in advance. Selected activities have an additional fee. All subject to availability and change.

Hampshire County Council holds one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind relating to the world famous Thornycroft company, which also produced high-quality cars at its Basingstoke factory from 1903 to 1912. The collection includes vehicles, machine tools and equipment, production records and photographs, printed sales brochures and handbooks, family archives and general business records relating to both the vehicles and ship-building divisions.

Commenting on LEGO® Mania 2013, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: “It is a great privilege to have LEGO® Mania back at Milestones Museum. Last year’s event was a huge success and for the 2013 event, there are some great activities planned. I hope many people will visit, take part and have fun.”

For more information about Hampshire County Council’s Thornycroft collection, visit http://www3.hants.gov.uk/thornycroft.htm

 

To book your tickets visit DESTINATIONS MANCHESTER

To book your tickets visit DESTINATIONS LONDON 

Discover a huge choice of independent and specialist travel companies with over 100 brands waiting to create your perfect trip.

Hours of free talks and seminars in our ‘Meet the Experts’ Theatre, covering everything from inspirational travel ideas to a healthy dose of practical advice
Exclusive special offers and discounts only available at the show saving you money.

Hear travel celebrities sharing their tales and memories from around the globe to inspire you – speakers at the 2012 event included Simon Reeve and Monty Halls.

Enjoy free world food and drink samples throughout the day at our Taste The World stages – NEW FOR 2013.

See the world come alive with an inspiring range of cultural performances at the World Entertainment Stage.

Be inspired by incredible images in the Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year Gallery, the UK’s biggest amateur travel photography competition and see the winners announced.

The opportunity to enter exclusive competitions giving away holidays and experiences.

 

Georgian Bathing House on River Dart, South Devon
£440pw from 8th February
 

Secluded in trees beside the tranquil River Dart in South Devon, this grade II* listed Georgian bathing house is the perfect romantic retreat for couples. The only sounds will be the noise of the water, breeze in the trees and passing boats and occasional seal. Binoculars are provided but for a real escape from modern day living, there is no TV reception or Wi-Fi.

Approached by half a mile of rough track, the Bathing House is set within the 550 acre Sharpham Estate, near Ashprington, which is best known for its small vineyard. Steps lead down to a riverside terrace where you can sit and watch the local wildlife; herons, shelducks, kingfishers and egrets can be spotted along the tidal shore.

Inside the neatly fitted, ground floor kitchen has exposed beams and looks out over the river; above are a small single and fantastic double bedroom with French windows opening onto a small balcony with wonderful views over the water to the surrounding wooded countryside. Up another flight of stairs is the living room, which occupies the original octagonal bathing house with high ceilings, ornate plaster work, a cosy woodburner and shuttered windows giving views both up and down the river.

A week’s stay for two at the Bathing House is £440 for Valentine’s week from 8th February; for details call Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063 or look and book online at www.helpfulholidays.com searching for ref L270.

 

Book a two-night Wine Weekend break from Friday 8th February at the luxurious 15th century Swan at Lavenham and enjoy a private wine tasting dinner hosted by fine wine producers Hegarty Chamans from Languedoc’s Minervois region. This special dinner will present a rare opportunity to sample some of their finest vintages by candlelight in the elegant surroundings of the hotel’s beamed and vaulted Gallery restaurant.

Hosted by Jessica Servet, and possibly winemaker Samuel Berger, from Hegarty Chamans together with The Swan’s Head Sommelier François Belin, the sophisticated dinner menu will include five glasses of different matched wines across the three courses including an aperitif and canapés to start.

 

The Swan’s Head Chef, Justin Kett, has been working closely with François to ensure his dishes complement the chosen vintages bringing out the subtle flavours and aromas of both the wines and food.

Isolated from other vineyards, Hegarty Chamans can pursue their own non-interventionist farming philosophy, based on organic and biodynamic principles; animals also play an important role to help create bio-diversity symbolised by the domain’s Black Sheep motif. Red wine grape varieties range from 5-50 years old and include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, while for the white, they cultivate 25 year old Marsanne, Roussanne and younger plantings of Grenache blanc, Clairette and Roussanne.
 

The wine experience package, which includes a two night stay with full Suffolk breakfast both mornings and the Languedoc wine tasting dinner, is priced from £370 for two sharing a Classic double or twin room; for guests just wishing to attend the wine dinner its £65 per person. To book call The Swan on 01787 247477 quoting ‘Languedoc weekend’.

For more details visit www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk or information about Hegarty Chamans can be found on www.hegartychamans.com.
 

 

Historic Moot Hall on the Aldeburgh seafront
(photo by Wikipedia)
 

Book a night’s B&B from £120 for two sharing (£60pppn) at the four-star Brudenell Hotel on Suffolk’s stunning coast at Aldeburgh until the end of January and take your pick from a mix of add-ons.

Dinner in the sea-view AA two rosette restaurant is just £10 extra per person or you can order drinks in your room at greatly reduced prices - a bottle of chilled champagne is £25 down from £45; Proseco is £15 while red or white house wine is only £10 per bottle.

You can also book a room for two nights and stay a third from £100 B&B or indulge in luxurious toiletries from the Temple Spa Romance Ritual collection in your room for only £16 (worth £38).

The stylish, 44 bedroom hotel offers a choice of rooms with stunning views either out to sea or inwards to the river Alde and countryside beyond. Privately owned, the Brudenell is in a wonderful seafront setting, just a step away from Aldeburgh’s shingle beach. Its tranquil situation, coastal themed decor and fresh, locally sourced food, optimises the perfect seaside hotel.

To make a reservation call The Brudenell on 01728 452071 quoting pick and mix; more details can also be found on www.brudenellhotel.co.uk. This offer is for an inland facing room, sea view rooms are available at a supplement and the £10 dinner add-on covers food up to a value of £30 per person in the restaurant.

To read more about this charming area of England visit THE SUFFOLK COAST .

Editor's note:

My first introduction to Aldeburgh was lunching in this fine hotel in 1977, then part of the Trust House Forte group of hotels which no longer exist.  Many subsequent visits always include calling into Aldeburgh's famous fish & chip shop for what are, arguably, some of the best fish & chips in England.

The Shard is an iconic, landmark building on the London skyline, designed by Master Architect Renzo Piano. At a height of 1,016ft (310m), the tallest building in Western Europe, the Shard redefines London’s skyline and will be a dynamic symbol of London, recognisable throughout the world.

To book your visit click www.theviewfromtheshard.com

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AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY TO OXFORD WITH FOUR PILLARS HOTELS

Oxford has been home to some of Britain’s most famous writers, poets and novelists and there’s no better time to visit this historic city than to coincide with the UK film release of The Hobbit and January’s 200th anniversary of the first publication of Pride and Prejudice. Both J. R. R. Tolkien and Jane Austen have links with the city, and local hotel group Four Pillars Hotels is offering a range of amazing offers on winter breaks from December through to March 2013 starting at just £59 per person per night including dinner, bed and breakfast. And children stay and eat breakfast for free*.

The four-star Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel is located less than half a mile from the centre of Oxford, where both Tolkien and his great friend C. S. Lewis - author of The Chronicles of Narnia - were professors, at Pembroke College and Magdalen College respectively. Jane Austen was tutored in Oxford by the widow of a former Principal of Brasenose College, and her father and brother became Fellows of St John’s College. The perfect location for your literary explorations, Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel is surrounded by acres of tranquil parkland and features 170 stylish bedrooms and suites, a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as recreational facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam-room and gymnasium.

Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel
 

Four Pillars also have three other hotels in and around Oxford: the picturesque riverside Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Oxford Whitney Four Pillars Hotel and Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel. Prices at Oxford Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel start at just £42 per person per night.

For full details and conditions on Four Pillars Hotels’ winter offers, or to book, please visit www.four-winter.co.uk or call 0800 374 692.

* Children stay and eat breakfast for free: Based on a maximum of 2 children sharing their parents' room and also includes complimentary breakfast. For children up to 12 years old, a charge of £5 per night will be made when dinner is taken. For 13-16 year olds dinner will be charged as taken. Children aged 4 and under will not be charged for dinner. Separate terms apply for self-catering breaks – call/visit website for details.

Weekend Breaks
Rates listed are on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis (unless stated otherwise) and are per person, per night, based on 2 people sharing a standard room for a minimum of 2 nights from Friday to Sunday in January or February 2013. For bookings on these offers, full prepayment for the stay is required at time of booking and will be non-refundable and non-transferable. Fully flexible rates are also available, see our online booking system or call our Central Reservations. If you depart early, you will not receive a credit or refund for the unused nights. Rates are subject to promotional room availability and are only available on selected dates. Applicable to new bookings only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Platinum Healing offer retreats with luxurious accommodation in the beautiful West Sussex countryside. Arundel - England – UK. Direct trains run frequently from London and Gatwick.

Last minute prices are now available for all 2012 & 2013 retreats.
Please visit our website for further information:
www.platinum-healing.com

 

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Two vintage railway carriages meticulously converted into self-catering accommodation for four and six guests at Coalport Station in the stunning Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, Shropshire. 

 

Set in three acres of tranquil, secluded gardens on a disused railway track overlooking the River Severn, they provide a comfortable base from which to explore the beautiful Shropshire countryside as well as the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, which bring centuries of history to life.

Both of the beautifully rebuilt carriages feature a flat-screen television; surround sound DVD, video and CD music centre; air conditioning and large, comfy leather sofas, as well as a fully-fitted stylish kitchen, complete with dishwasher, washer/dryer, microwave, ceramic hob and double oven, plus two bathrooms.

 

One carriage sleeps up to six guests in a master double bedroom with ensuite facilities, plus two twin rooms and a second bathroom, while the other accommodates four people in a master double and one twin/double room with ensuite bathrooms; both carriages have a whirlpool bath in the master ensuites.

The Anchor at Lower Froyle, Hampshire

The Cricketers Inn at Meopham

The Boat House, Seaview, Isle of Wight