In the pretty little village of Chawton, just a mile from Alton, is a large red-brick house displaying a prominent plaque to indicate that this was once the home of Jane Austen. Built in the 17th century as a posting inn, and later converted to the farm bailiff's cottage, the house formed part of the Chawton estate inherited by Jane's brother, Edward. Following the death of her father, Jane moved into this peaceful village house with her sisters, her mother and a family friend in 1809. She was delighted with her new home, and finally felt settled and contented after years of moving around and living in busy towns. Here she could relax and concentrate once again on her writing, surrounded by the security of this wonderful community environment.

Today the house is a museum, founded by Mr T Edward Carpenter, and dedicated to the short life of Jane Austen. Although much of the house was altered after the Austens' departure, when it was converted to three farm workers cottages, Mr Carpenter carried out the necessary repairs and refurbishment in order to present a close resemblance of the accommodation as it would have been during Jane's occupation. Similarly, the furniture is largely representative of that period rather than the Austens' original, with the exception of Jane's small writing table, which has been returned to the dining parlour where her novels 'Mansfield Park', 'Emma' and 'Persuasion' were created. Soon after Jane had moved to Chawton, she revised her most famous works of 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Pride and Prejudice', and this surely reflected the calmer state of mind she was enjoying in this idyllic spot.

Considering the modest size of the house, it consists of a surprisingly comprehensive history of the Austen family as displayed by the wealth of letters, personal documents, pictures and, naturally, many first editions of Jane's novels. Losing her life at a relatively young age to some terrible strain of kidney disease, it is amazing to witness the wealth of artistic talent that this humble lady managed to release in her 42 short years. Apart from her writing, Jane was an expert needlewoman and an accomplished pianist. Several examples of her skilled needlework are on display, together with a neatly written manuscript music book. Should she have survived to old age, it is difficult to contemplate just how many more inspiring novels she might have written, or what other unfulfilled talents would have manifested themselves.

Jane's mother was a keen gardener and, even though the grounds were more extensive in her time, the pretty, sweet-smelling flowering borders seen today are very reminiscent of a traditional old English country garden. In the courtyard behind the house is an old well and some outbuildings, including the granary and the bakehouse, the latter now housing Jane's donkey carriage.

Chawton presents a rare opportunity to become totally immersed in the life of an inspired and famous character, with an overpowering sense of almost re-living her time there. Eternally remembered by way of an engraved plaque over her final resting place in Winchester Cathedral, Jane Austen's spirit most definitely lives on in Chawton.