If you are looking for things to do in Hampshire, a visit to Chawton House makes a great day out. Whether you are inspired by women’s literature, keen to follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen in Hampshire, looking to explore the gardens, or simply to enjoy lunch in The Old Kitchen Tearoom, our friendly staff and volunteers will give you a warm welcome.
The house you can visit today is over four hundred years old. It was built by the Knight family in the 1580s following the acquisition of the estate by Nicholas Knight in 1578. There was already a manor house on the estate prior to this, first recorded in 1224. The house has undergone centuries of change and development as it has passed through different hands, making it rich with quirky and fascinating features, from graffiti on paintings and ‘witch marks’ on walls, to heraldic stained glass windows and ornately carved fireplaces.
The house’s most famous association is with Jane Austen, whose brother Edward, inherited the house when distant family members Thomas and Catherine Knight, made him their heir. Edward offered the bailiff’s residence, five minutes’ walk from Chawton House, to his mother and sisters, Jane and Cassandra, and it was there, now the Jane Austen’s House Museum, where Jane enjoyed the most prolific period of her writing life.
By train:
From London Waterloo, there are hourly trains to Alton. For further details on train times please visit the National Rail Enquiries website.
There is a taxi rank outside the station. Alternatively call Wilson’s Taxis on 01420 87777, 85858 or 82226.
By car:
From M25 Junction 10, A3 Guildford bypass, A31 Farnham & Alton bypass.
Turn off left at A31/32 junction roundabout to Chawton and follow the brown tourist signs.
From M25 Junction 12, M3 to Junction 5, B3349 to Odiham and Alton, follow signs for Chawton.
By bus:
The number 64 Stagecoach service runs daily between Alton train station and Winchester, stopping at the A31/32 junction roundabout near Chawton.
The number 38 service from Petersfield to Alton offers a less frequent alternative option, stopping in Chawton.
For further details on bus times, please visit the Stagecoach website.
On foot, bicycle or Travel Planner:
Jane Austen Trail Alton
Jane Austen Trail Chawton
Use the Travel Planner
Parking at Chawton House:
Please note, we do not allow parking at Chawton House, unless you are a disabled badge holder and have called up in advanced.
Please be aware that it is not possible to accommodate large coaches as the drive to the house is unsuitable for such vehicles. Groups can be dropped off in the lane at the top of the drive to Chawton House and a coach can be parked at the top of the drive in front of the barrier.
There is also coach parking in the nearby town of Alton. For more information please click here.
13 May–22 Sep: Every day, 10:00am–4:30pm
23 September–22 October: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00am–4:30pm
23 October–3 November: Every day, 10:00am–4:30pm
4 November–30 November: Friday–Sunday, 10:00am–3:30pm
1 December–17 December: Friday–Sunday, 11:00am-4:00pm/6:00pm Glimmering Gardens*
18 December–1 January: Every day, 11:00am–6:00pm, except 24, 25, and 26 December*
Please check their website for confirmed December opening hours
Day Tickets: House and Gardens
Adult: £12.50
Student/Under 26: £10.00
6-16: £6.00
Under 6: Free
Disabled + carer: £5.00
ArtFund: £6.25
Historic Houses: Free
Gardeners’ World individual: £6.25
Gardeners’ World 2for1: £12.50
Family (2 adults + 3 kids): £30.00
Family (1 adult + 3 kids): £18.00
Day Tickets: Gardens
Adult: £8.00
6-16: £6.00
Under 6: Free
Annual Tickets:
Adult: £25.00
Student/Under 26: £20.00
6-16: £12.00
Disabled: £10.00
Family (2 adults + 3 kids): £60.00
Family (1 adult + 3 kids): £36.00
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