Travel to England and attend the many Jane Austen themed events in 2020
Here is a list of events that we love, and if you’re a Jane Austen fan – you will too!
In light of everything that is happening this year, most events have been rescheduled, moved online or involve limited seating and a ticket.
Can I suggest that you contact your hosts and check their website for updated information to see whether your event is going ahead.
January to March
Jane Austen and the Cheltonians
Every Man Theatre, Cheltenham
Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 February 2020
What really happened when Jane visited Cheltenham in May 1816? In this witty new comedy the truth is revealed. Jane conjures-up her literary muse Emma Woodhouse to help her write The Cheltonians. What could possibly go wrong?
Jane Austen and the Cheltonians Booking
Look Upon Verdure Garden Talk
Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton, Hampshire
Saturday 15 February 2020
Inspired by Fanny Price’s sentiment in Mansfield Park, ‘to sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment’. Carol Chernega will talk about the garden at Jane Austen’s Chawton House when Jane lived here, and how it has changed over the years. FREE with house admission, booking required.
Look Upon Verdure Garden Talk Booking
Book Launch ‘Miss Austen’ by Gill Hornby
Chawton Library, Chawton, Hampshire
Wednesday 19 Feburary 2020
‘Miss Austen’ is set in Chawton House, once home to Jane’s brother Edward. It’s 1840, 23 years after Jane’s death. Cassandra Austen – alone and unwed – returns to the village of Kintbury. In a dusty corner of the vicarage, she discovers a treasure trove of family letters – and within them secrets that must not be revealed. Should she burn them on the fire, or keep them?
Book Gill Hornby Miss Austen Tickets
Pride and Prejudice adapted by Rebecca Dallaway and Hannah Tomlinson
Edward Alleyn Theatre, Dulwich Common, London
Wednesday 19 to Saturday 23 Feburary 2020
The Dulwich Players present a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s much loved classic Pride and Prejudice. Enjoy Elizabeth’s straight-talking, Mr Bennet’s dry wit, Darcy’s arrogance and Mr Collins’ pomposity – along with Mrs Bennet’s increasingly fragile nerves as she seeks to marry off her errant daughters.
Book Pride and Prejudice Tickets
Bullet Journal Workshop for Teens
Chawton, Hampshire
Friday 21 February 2020
Join a hands-on workshop to learn about the bullet journal system, and how it can help you stay organised and on-schedule. By encouraging creativity and artistry, you can learn how to keep tasks and plans clear and concise, leaving minds free to focus and engage with the world more meaningfully. £30 including materials and refreshments.
Bullet Journal Workshop Tickets
Jane Austen Regency Snowdrop Walks
Chawton, Hampshire
Friday 21 February & Sunday 23 February 2020
‘Three or four families in a country village is the very thing to work on…’ Jane Austen
Jane moved to Chawton Cottage in 1809, and happily lived here for the last eight years of her life. Jane’s niece said that Jane took a keen interest in the affairs of all her neighbours, and ‘liked immensely to hear all about them’. This walk goes through Chawton Village, visits the Church and ends at Chawton House where £5 will get you entry into the Garden to see the Snowdrops. All funds to charity.
Jane Austen Walks Chawton Snowdrop Ticket Sunday
Austentatious Performance
Fortune Theatre, London
Friday 21 February until 27 July 2020
Austentatious are dedicated to continuing Austen’s legacy by bringing her lost novels to life onstage using nothing but their skill, wit and a title suggested by the audience. Past masterpieces have included We Will Frock You, The Bodice Guard, Monster Hangover Abbey and Dirty Darcying. A smash-hit improvised comedy!
Calligraphy for Beginners – Dip Pen
Chawton House Library, Chawton, Hampshire
Saturday 7 March 2020
These courses run through the year and are booked up quickly. Upon arrival your are given a calligraphy kit, shown the basic strokes, practice writing the alphabet, and learn how to join up the letters to make full words in the style of Jane Austen. A wonderful way to learn the art of calligraphy. £65 including all materials, lunch and refreshments.
https://chawton-house.arttickets.org.uk
Jane Austen’s Emma
The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Tuesday 17 March 2020
Explore Jane Austen’s Emma and discuss what it brings to light about late Georgian society. The evening includes a tour of the exhibition, which includes a first edition of the novel Emma owned by George IV himself. Tickets £15 including wine and is a one year anytime pass.
Jane Austen’s Emma at Buckingham Palace
Jane Austen’s House Museum Mothering Sunday
Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton, Hampshire
Sunday 22 March 2020
What better way to say thank you than to treat Mum to a day out at Jane Austen’s House and a cream tea at Cassandra’s Cup? Enjoy our Mothering Sunday package with a special cream tea at Cassandra’s Cup. £7 admission plus £5 for Cream Tea at Cassandra’s Cup. Quote ‘MOTHER20’ to get this offer. (Booking essential for the Cream Tea).
Mansfield Park
RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester
Sunday 22 March – Saturday 28 March 2020 (Selected Dates)
Composed by Jonathan Dove with a libretto by Alasdair Middleton. This composition is the first completed operatic adaptation of any Jane Austen novel ever to be staged. From the first words sung by the whole company, ‘Mansfield Park, Chapter One’, there is a strong narrative drive, impeccable vocal writing and wonderful ensembles that sparkle with style and wit.
April to June
Young People’s Workshop: Writing on Location
Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton, Hampshire
Saturday 4 April 2020
Are you aged between 16 and 25? Join creative tutor Rebecca Smith to develop your writing skills at Jane Austen’s House Museum. Using objects and aspects of Jane’s work in a series of exercises you can develop your characters, plots and striking imagery. Tickets are £9.60 (Ticket does not include entry to the house).
Young People’s Writing Course Book Here
Jane Austen The Banker’s Sister with E J Clery
St Peters, Petersfield, Hampshire
Tuesday 14 April 2020
When the £10 Austen banknote was first issued by the Bank of England in 2017, few were aware that a £10 Austen banknote already existed, issued by Jane’s favourite brother Henry between 1806-1814. EJ Clery, Professor of English at the University of Southampton will discuss her book and the original Austen banknotes, including surviving examples from the bank in Petersfield where Henry was a partner. Tickets £10.
Jane Austen The Banker’s Sister Tickets
Gin and Scandal!
Chawton House Library, Chawton, Hampshire
Sunday 22 June 2020
Known as ‘Mother’s Ruin‘, gin drinking was ultimate Georgian vice and the downfall of many a respectable man. Join us for a gin cocktail and canapés in the company of Clio O’Sullivan to talk Gin and gossip, an aunt on trial, the Warren Hastings scandal, bankruptcy, the Powlett affair, a stabbing in Chawton and the theft of a duck! Hear about the Austen Family’s involvement in the scandals of the day and the scandals in Jane’s novels.
A Summer Evening with Gin Austen
Jane Austen’s House Museum, Chawton, Hampshire
Friday 26 June 2020
Join us to enjoy a hand-crafted Gin Austen cocktail (or mocktail) from Thirsty Forester’s vintage horsebox – and celebrate summer with strawberries and cream in Jane’s cottage garden amid the heady scent of the roses. Visitors can explore the House and garden after hours, brought to life with pop up theatrical performances and live music from Jane Austen’s music books. Part of the Jane Austen Regency Week programme.
Jane Austen Regency Week
Alton, Hampshire
20 to 28 June 2020
A 9-day annual festival held in Alton and Chawton, and each day there are Jane Austen themed talks and walks taking place. Jane Austen Regency Day is on Saturday 22 June and there are carriage rides, stalls, talks, music, walks, as well as a Regency Ball in the evening. Booking this year is available through Eventbrite, or find out more by calling Alton Community Centre telephone +44 (0)1420 85057.
Jane Austen Regency Week Bookings
July to September
Outdoor Theatre: Jane Austen’s ‘EMMA’
Lacock Abbey (National Trust Property), Wiltshire
Thursday 16 July 2020
Lacock is a wonderfully preserved village dating from the 13th century, and played the village of Meryton in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice. It was here that the Bennet girls, in particular Lydia and Kitty ‘whose minds were more vacant than their sisters’, shopped for bonnets, sought the latest tittle-tattle from their Aunt Philips, and hoped to attract the attentions of the officers – in particular a certain Mr Wickham. Starts at 7.00pm.
Book Lacock Abbey EMMA Outdoor Theatre Tickets
Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Walk
Peak District, Derbyshire
20-23 August 2020
Join Margaret Willison for a three night Pride and Prejudice pilgrimage. Reading daily from Jane’s beloved novel, the theme of the trip is strength of character. Pride & Prejudice is about two people with strong wills, strong senses of self, and strong moral frameworks who nonetheless have to become permeable to the ideas and perspectives of one another to both find love, and — more importantly — grow into the best versions of themselves.
Jane Austen Festival Bath
Bath
11-20 September 2020
The 20th Jane Austen Festival sees ten wonderful days of celebrating all things Austen in the beautiful Georgian city of Bath. Special events include a Regency Costumed Mask Ball a Costumed Promenade along the Close, and a Ghost Walk around the city. Festival Friends box office opens Monday 22 June, with general tickets on sale the following week. Tickets sell out quickly, so sign up for the email to buy them first.
Pride and Prejudice Ball at Chatsworth
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
26 September 2020
It is believed that Jane based Mr Darcy’s Pemberly on Chatsworth House when she stayed close by. You will be invited to tour the North Wing of the house before making your way to the Carriage House restaurant to enjoy a delectable dinner. After dinner, enjoy the Jane Austen Regency dancers, and make sure you have your dancing shoes on as there will be the opportunity to have a go yourself!
Pride and Prejudice Regency Ball Booking
October to December
Christmas Fayre at Chawton House Library
Chawton, Hampshire
December 2020
Enjoy this unique chance to do a spot of Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere of Chawton House. Browse the stalls selling handmade and local produce, enjoy a festive treat in the Old Kitchen Tearoom and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. There will be plenty of Yuletide activities to keep the family entertained including decorating shortbread with your favourite festive scene.
Chawton House Library Christmas Fayre
To see Jane Austen Events from 2019 click HERE
