Jane Austen 250th Anniversary Walking Tour - Guided
From
£2619
✓ 25% Refundable Deposit
✓ Booking Protected by ABTOT
✓ 5* TripAdvisor Rated
A walking tour celebrating the life and work of Jane Austen on the 250th anniversary of her birth
“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do,” wrote Austen in her classic novel Sense and Sensibility, published in 1811. What better way to experience Austen’s England, the number one place to visit in the world in 2025, than by joining our specially designed limited departure to enjoy the events celebrating the author’s 250th birthday?
From London to Winchester, Southampton to the New Forest and Bath, our extraordinary local guides have curated this one-of-a-kind walking adventure, taking in all the key sites that celebrate the life and work of England’s finest fiction author. Walk right up to Jane Austen’s House – where she lived and wrote her novels, her place of birth in a small Hampshire village and her final resting place at the gothic Winchester Cathedral. Culminating in the magnificent city of Bath – somewhere mentioned in each of Austen’s six novels – we’ll crisscross the city to visit a host of special events running to coincide with her birth a quarter of a millennium ago.
At day’s end, our handpicked accommodations in Winchester and Bath are full of history too – and it’s not a stretch to imagine Austen herself gracing the receptions and lounges of these quintessentially English establishments.
- Visit Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the birthplace of her classic novels.
- Walk the picturesque Box Hill, as featured in Emma.
- Explore Winchester Cathedral, Austen’s final resting place.
- Immerse in the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, complete with themed events, workshops, and celebrations.
- Stay in handpicked, charming accommodations like the Wykeham Arms and The Bird in Bath
Your Itinerary
Begin your Austen-inspired adventure with a morning pick-up from London Paddington and enjoy a guided tour focusing on Jane Austen’s locations throughout the city. Visit places like the British Museum and the site of her London residence, immersing yourself in her world. After lunch, head to Box Hill in Surrey, a picturesque location made famous in “Emma.” Take a leisurely walk, enjoying the views and reflecting on Austen’s characters. To conclude the day we transfer to Winchester, where you’ll check in and unwind at the Wykeham Arms, a charming inn steeped in history – the perfect setting to relax and re-acquaint yourself with one of the author’s novels.
Accommodation for night 1: The Wykeham Arms, Winchester
Start your morning with a visit to Winchester Cathedral, where Jane Austen is buried. Take time to explore the stunning architecture and serene atmosphere of this Gothic building – one of the finest examples in Northern Europe. Afterwards, travel to Chawton, where Austen lived for a significant part of her life and wrote three of her novels, Emma, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Visit the Jane Austen Museum and see her home complete with personal letters, first-edition books and scripts from the film adaptations. In the afternoon, head to Steventon, the place of her birth, and enjoy the scenic landscapes that inspired her early years. Return to the Wykeham Arms in Winchester for dinner and relaxation, reminiscing with your other travellers about the day’s discoveries.
Accommodation for night 2: The Wykeham Arms, Winchester
This morning, journey to Southampton, where Austen lived for several years. Walk through the city, visiting sites like the Austen family home and the Dolphin Hotel – the place where the author celebrated her 18th Birthday. Next, head to Buckler’s Hard, a quaint village known for its historic shipbuilding. Stroll along the picturesque riverbanks, taking in the peaceful surroundings that Austen adored. Afterwards, explore the natural beauty of the New Forest, perfect for a leisurely walk amid ancient trees and wildlife. Return to the Wykeham Arms for one final cosy evening and perhaps enjoy another chapter of a classic Austen novel after dinner.
Accommodation for night 3: The Wykeham Arms, Winchester
After breakfast, transfer to Lacock, a charming village often used in period films. Explore its quaint streets and historic buildings before continuing onto Bath, the 2025 Jane Austen Festival host. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation at the Bird in Bath before taking the afternoon to investigate the festival activities planned for the day. Dance, tea, and literature await, so immerse yourself in Austen-themed events while mingling with fellow enthusiasts. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Bath as the day ends with a delightful dinner in the city.
Accommodation for night 4: The Bird, Bath
Continue your immersion in the Jane Austen Festival today. Enjoy morning lectures or workshops that delve into her works and the culture of her time. Spend your afternoon exploring Bath’s famous landmarks, including the Roman Baths and beautiful Georgian architecture. You may also visit the Jane Austen Centre for more insights into her life. Engage with fellow festival-goers to share your love for literature and Austen. In the evening, perhaps attend a themed dinner or theatrical performance related to her novels. Return to the Bird for a restful night, relishing the day’s celebrations.
Accommodation for night 5: The Bird, Bath
After a relaxed breakfast in Bath, our Active England guides will be on hand to help with your onward travel, for those returning to London the journey from Bath Spa Railway Station takes just an hour and a half.
Linger just a little longer in Bath. Visit the Roman Baths or perhaps enjoy the Skyline walk to take in everything Bath has to offer. Your post-trip extension includes one night’s hotel stay and entry to the famous baths.
Accommodation for post-night – Hampton By Hilton Bath City
Map
Gallery
Handpicked Accommodation
The Wykeham Arms
Sandwiched between the Cathedral and the 14th-century college, this luxurious country pub with rooms is surrounded by heritage. The building dates back to 1755 when it was a coaching inn quenching the thirst of travellers heading for the coast. These days, the menu is a seasonal mix of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and a fantastic selection of ales and wines.
The Bird in Bath
Discover unique bedrooms, a daring fusion of colour and comfort or dine at the snazzy neighbourhood restaurant. All this, and a whole lot more awaits you at The Bird – just a few minutes’ mosey from the buzzing epicentre and grandeur of Bath.
What our guides say...
Go under-the-skin of places that inspired Austen’s famous social commentary, humour and wit.
Trip Extensions
Post-Trip: Bath
- Hampton by Hilton
- 1 night
What’s Included
- All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- All breakfasts and x2 dinners (excluding dinner drinks)
- All special events, iconic points of interests, expert guests and entrance fees
- All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
- All baggage transportation
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
- Services of a professional local guide
Accommodation Types
Our accommodation for this tour is rated 4*.
Difficulty Level
This tour is rated easy meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk and can handle an incline or two. You cover varied terrain and enjoy some rolling hills. Daily distances range from 4-8 miles.
Equipment Provided
We’ll provide walking poles if required.
Pre & Post Tour Travel
Pick-up location: London Paddington station. Our walking holidays are designed to be completely relaxing, with the start of our tours either being in London or within easy reach of the capital. This tour begins from London Paddington, a short 30-minute journey from London Heathrow, so you can begin your holiday stress-free.
End-of-tour location: Bath Spa Railway Station
FAQ's
What difficulty rating is this tour?
Moderate. This tour is rated moderate meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk and can handle an incline or two. The terrain we cover is varied. We’ll enjoy some rolling hills and a few steeper walks which are a bit more demanding. Your holiday, however, will be tailored by your guide to suit your individual preferences and rewarding views are guaranteed! Daily distances range from 4-10 miles.
Is this tour suited to seniors?
Our Active England guided walking holidays in the UK are enjoyed by travellers of all ages, but are particularly popular amongst the over 60’s. As an easy tour, this walking holiday is suited to seniors who enjoy back-to-back walking days.
Make this trip private
Our private tours are based on our tried and tested group departures with two key differences. They offer you the freedom to travel when you wish and with whoever you’d like to holiday with.
Similar Tours
Carbon Footprint
What’s the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…
What does the number mean?
We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?
- Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
- Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
- Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
- Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.
We’ve got a long way to go but we’re on our way to net-zero
We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.
What people are saying
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Find out more about our latest tours, destinations, activities and stories.
You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
