Inquiring Readers, Tony Grant visited Chawton on his way to Southampton on a gorgeous day in early March and sent on these photos. Below his recent images, I added a few that he took several years ago of the cottage’s interior. Enjoy.
We are all familiar with this corner view of the cottage, which faces the road. Jane could hear the carriages rattle by. Image @Tony Grant
In this image one can readily see the window that Jane’s brother, Edward, had installed in the drawing room. It overlooks the walled in garden. Image @Tony Grant
In this image, you can see the window in the drawing room that Edward had blocked up (right), which faced the road and afforded little privacy, and the fancier window facing the garden. Image @Tony Grant
Life in the village didn’t offer much in the way of variety. Edward’s windows created a lively scenario, in which a curious Mrs. Austen, upon hearing a commotion (or carriage), would rush from the drawing room to the dining room to watch the goings on.
View from the garden. One sees how close the village houses are opposite the cottage. Image @Tony Grant
View of the garden. What a lovely spot to sit and reread one’s writing, or plot one’s novel. Image @Tony Grant
All Janeite roads lead to Chawton Cottage. Image @Tony Grant
One is impressed with the coziness of this village and how easy it must have been for Jane and Cassandra to get around on foot.
Cassandra’s Tea Room, across Chawton Cottage, a modern establishment that is popular with visitors. Image @Tony Grant
Cassandra’s Cup tea rooms. Image@Tony Grant
During Tony’s previous visits, he took photographs of the garden in summer and the village and other cottages.
Standard roses. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
Chawton dog rose. Image@Tony Grant
Jane described the syringa in the garden. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
Tony (l) and his friend Clive sit under the fir tree. Image@Tony Grant
Cottages and gardens in the village. Image@Tony Grant
Fireplace in Jane’s and Cassandra’s shared bedroom. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
The bed with the diamond pane quilt that Jane helped to sew. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
The dining parlour, which looks out on the street and where Jane wrote her novels. The china ware, which once belonged to Edward, has since been auctioned off. You can just glimpse her writing table with pen at the far right. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
The stairs outside Jane’s room. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
The courtyard. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
Out buildings in winter. Chawton Cottage Image@Tony Grant
This image was taken by Keith Mallet and sent to me in 2009. It is a view of the outbuildings from Jane’s bedroom window.
View from Jane’s window. Image @Keith Mallet
More on the topic:
- Accompanying this post, A Drive Through Chawton Village
- Living in Chawton Cottage, Jean K. Bowden
- Jane Austen’s World posts tagged with Chawton Cottage
What lovely bright photos. I visited Chawton in March too and was amazed at the wonderful strong Austen family spirit that still filled the cottage.
I wrote an account of my visit here in case anyone is interested in seeing more photos
http://stitchingwithjaneausten.blogspot.co.uk/
Angela, thank you for including your link. I love your images of the interior with the accompanying descriptions!
thank you very much : your pictures completes quite well this post !
A visit to Chawton is on my must-see list for my next trip to the UK. I loved this pictorial!
What a fantastic and educational post. Thanks so much!
Beautiful photos! Thank-you for sharing. I wanted to point out that that the second set of garden photos were taken in late summer not spring. Some spring bloomers have mistakenly been identified in the captions. The plant identified as dog rose (Rosa canina) is actually a Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis). The plant identified as Syringa (common name Lilac) is actually garden phlox (Phlox panniculata). They are wonderful to look at and to smell either way though. I thought you all might enjoy this.
You are correct, Matthew. I forgot to say that I included some photos that Tony had sent me last July. Vic
Lovely! Thanks for sharing this. I can just see her on those stairs — amazing how narrow they were. What an awesome place to live.
Beautiful photos! I can’t wait to visit in September. I love historic houses and visiting one where someone I admire lived is even better.
Just added this lovely
place to my Travel Dreams
board on Pinterest. A
must see!!
Martha Lloyd’s Household Book, displayed with pages open in the dining room glass cupboard, is a joy to read (despite the faded ink).
Lovely photos. I tweeted and reblogged.
Reblogged this on Ella Quinn ~ Author and commented:
For any one interested in Jane Austen’s home, here are some lovely photos.
Thanks for all your comments. I live in Wimbledon, south London.my mum and dad live in Southampton on the south coast so I often pass Chawton on my way to visit them. Whenever I can I stop on Chawton to take pictures.
Thank you, Tony. I’ve read most of your posts on Chawton, and enjoyed your delightful photos. You’re an inspiration to us all.
One day, I shall visit Chawton Cottage with dear friend Tony. and Vic if I may dream…
Very good pictures. I usually end up taking pictures of stupid thing that amuse me, then I get home and they not longer amuse, they’re just stupid. I went to one place last summer and came home with three bear rug shots and a potty chair.
And I tweeted
Indeed it’s a lovely place to visit! Nice pictures!