Harlaxton Day 3: Chawton and Winchester

Today we all departed from our temporary home at the Nutford House and headed to Chawton. We slowly saw the stone city turn into cottage houses with thatched roofs, until we arrived at the cottage Jane Austen stayed at the most productive time of her life. The group split up, and half of us went into the house to see where Jane Austen wrote and lived. The other half ate the packed lunches provided by The Nutford House in the garden in full bloom. We then took a short walk over to the home of Jane’s brother, Knight Estate, who owned the cottage Jane lived in. Right next to the Estate was the St. Nicholas Church and a cemetery where Jane’s mother, Mrs. Austen, and her sister, Cassandra Austen, are buried.

Next, we drove to Winchester. Our first destination was the Winchester Cathedral, where Jane Austen has been buried. The Cathedral is also one of the largest cathedrals in England and new things everywhere you look. After exploring every nook and cranny, we headed outside and started down a trail that the poet, John Keats, frequented to be inspired. When walking the trail, you could understand why Keats walked here often, with clear streams and blackberries growing on the side of the path. At the end of the trail was the Hospital of St. Cross which we admired and then departed back to the Nutford House.

 

Hannah