Jane Austen's 250th anniversary in 2025

In 2025, Hampshire will be celebrating the 250^th birthday of its famed and beloved author, Jane Austen, with special events taking place across the county throughout the year.

Jane Austen was born in Hampshire on the 16th of December 1775 in Steventon and grew up in the village spending the first 25 years of her life in Hampshire. She later returned to her home county, living first in Southampton, and then in the cottage now known as Jane Austen’s House in the village of Chawton, where she lived for the last eight years of her life. Jane died in nearby Winchester and her grave is in Winchester Cathedral.

As part of the 250^th anniversary celebrations, these iconic Jane Austen locations across Hampshire will be holding special events, exhibitions, and openings for Jane Austen fans to visit and enjoy.

Find the full list of Jane Austen 250 events, including links to book tickets to events in Hampshire here. Further events are to be announced, so watch this space for more information. 

Jane Austen 250 at Jane Austen’s House, Chawton

Jane Austen’s House, the home where Jane wrote and published all six of her globally beloved novels – Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion – will mark this iconic year with a special anniversary programme of events, launching in October 2024 with a new permanent exhibition Jane Austen and The Art of Writing.

Also in the village, Chawton House – the manor house that belonged to Jane’s brother, Edward – offers fascinating links with not only Jane, but the lives and works of early women’s writers from 1600 to 1830.

Jane Austen 250 in Winchester 

In 1817, suffering with ill health, Jane moved to Winchester where she died at the age of 41 shortly afterwards.

In the summer of 2025, Winchester College will open No. 8 College Street, Winchester – the house where Jane Austen spent the final weeks of her life and died in 1817 – to the public for the first time as part of a worldwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth.

Jane is buried in the north nave aisle of Winchester Cathedral under a memorial stone. As part of the 2025 celebrations, Winchester Cathedral is planning a special service, theatre performances, special interest tours, and the unveiling of a Jane Austen statue.

At Winchester City Museum, a new permanent display will celebrate Jane, marking her final days.

Jane Austen 250 in Southampton

The city where Jane Austen lived from 1806 to 1809 will mark her 250^th birthday celebrations with events including a special Jane Austen exhibition at God’s House Tower from November 2024 to February 2025 where Jane’s travelling writing desk will return to the city the first time since she lived there.

Following its triumphs in the West End where it won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) retelling of Jane Austen's most iconic love story, will be coming to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton in June 2025 as part of the Jane Austen 250 events.

Jane Austen 250 in Alton

Once frequented by Jane and her sister Cassandra, the Hampshire town of Alton celebrates Jane Austen’s era annually at the Jane Austen Regency Week every June with a Summer Regency Ball and a full programme of talks, guided walks and workshops.

Alton will start the year of celebrations with the Jane Austen Birthday Ball on 18 January 2025.

And Alton will also be creating a Regency-style garden in memory of Jane Austen.

Jane Austen 250 in Steventon

Jane Austen was born in the village of Steventon where her father was the vicar of the small 12th century church and Steventon Rectory is where Jane spent the first 25 years of her life. 

In July 2025, the village is planning a Jane Austen Country Fair, a flower festival in the church, and a historical exhibition in village hall.

The Overton Jane Austen Trails project has produced walking and cycle trails through the footpaths and roads of Overton, Steventon and the surrounding countryside, following in the footsteps of Jane Austen.

Nearby, The Vyne will also host a series of special events and the Hampshire Cultural Trust is planning a new permanent Jane Austen display at the Willis Museum in Basingstoke.

Find out more about Jane Austen in Hampshire
Jane Austen attractions and locations in Hampshire
Jane Austen walks and tours in Hampshire
Jane Austen inspired days out in Hampshire