events
Austenmania
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Destination Winchester
Discover Jane Austen 250 with Winchester College Heritage
events
The New York Times named Hampshire as the top spot to visit this year , thanks to Jane Austen 250 – a celebration of the anniversary of the author ’ s birth . Perhaps the hottest ticket is 8 College Street , Winchester , where Jane spent her final days , especially as this is the first time this private residence will be open to the public . Timed tours are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays during June , July and August , but tickets are going fast .
Phillip Holroyd-Smith , head of events , Winchester College , says : “ We don ’ t want to crowd the house , so numbers are limited to 12 people on each tour , allowing time and space to contemplate the author ’ s life and legacy .”
In 1817 the property was owned by the cathedral and run as a lodging house . Jane and her sister Cassandra took rooms on the first floor while Jane received care from surgeons in Winchester . The sisters arrived on 24 May , however Jane died weeks later on 18 July .
Opening the house , now owned by Winchester College , for Jane Austen 250 has been some five years in the planning . It has also involved sites and organisations associated with Jane Austen in Hampshire coming together , including Chawton House , Jane Austen ’ s House , Hampshire Cultural Trust , and Winchester Cathedral , to develop a strong events programme that has attracted attention from around the world .
Austenmania
Keep an eye out for more local events at museums , theatres and special venues throughout the year .
Winchester College ’ s Jane Austen 250 exhibition will be displayed across two venues : the house and Winchester College Treasury , the school ’ s museum of art and archaeology ( open every day 2-4pm with free entry ). The exhibition will also have two focuses – Jane Austen ’ s time in the house and an exploration of her links with the college and Winchester .
Richard Foster , Fellows ’ Librarian and Keeper of Collections , Winchester College , has been researching Jane Austen ’ s time at College Street and her links with the college , going back into the archives to put together artefacts for display . Manuscripts include a poem in Jane Austen ’ s handwriting and her brother Henry ’ s original draft text for her grave ( or ledger stone ).
Richard comments : “ My favourite fact is that Winchester College is mentioned in nearly 10 per cent of Jane Austen ’ s surviving letters . She would certainly have known a lot about what was going on here as eight of her nephews attended Winchester College , and one was at the school when Jane was staying in College Street and he visited her at the house .”
This quarter of Winchester would still seem familiar to Jane Austen . The heart of the college is largely unchanged from her time , and you can still see the schoolroom where her nephews were educated . Her father had an account with Burdon ’ s Bookshop , now P & G Wells , and Cassandra remarked that it was a solace Jane was buried in Winchester Cathedral , a building she liked so much .
www . winchestercollege . org
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