Jane Austen statue

Located in Winchester Cathedral's Inner Close, set against the homely backdrop of No 9 the Close, Jane Austen stands as an authoritative and elegant figure, with her characteristic ringlets and cap, by her famous writing table.

The sculpture, which was unveiled in Winchester in October 2025 to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, aims to represent her as closely to life-size as possible: Austen was about 1.7m.

Winchester was already a destination for many Jane Austen fans, who come to see No. 8 College Street, where the novelist died, and her grave in Winchester Cathedral. There is also Jane Austen's Winchester trail to follow, and in nearby Chawton Jane Austen's House to visit.

To honour Austen's enduring literary legacy, Winchester Cathedral worked in close collaboration with Martin Jennings, one of the country’s leading figurative sculptors (more recently known for his portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Mint), to develop an outdoor memorial to Austen.

There are no uncontested portraits of Jane Austen, but Jennings has studied the available evidence to produce a likeness. His overall conception, reflected in her expression and posture, emphasises her moral vision and the strength of her literary legacy.