Jane Austen's house (10min)

For eight years between 1809 and 1817, until her death at the age of 41, Jane Austen lived with her mother, her sister Cassandra and their friend Martha Lloyd, in the village of Chawton in Hampshire. In a cottage reminiscent of Barton Cottage, the home of the Dashwood sisters in Sense and Sensibility, she wrote her most famous novels. The cottage is open to the public and has long been a place of pilgrimage for fans of her work.

Now, thanks to Lottery funding, the display has been given a new look and provides visitors with even more vivid glimpses of Jane’s daily life. Pride of place goes to the display for the first time of Jane’s manuscript letters. Jane was an avid letter writer, corresponding almost daily with her sister Cassandra on the frequent occasions when they were separated.

Judi Herman went to visit the cottage in Chawton, where she was shown round by Louise West, the education officer.