20 Attractions to Explore Near Jane Austen's House

Chawton House is an Elizabethan manor house that once belonged to Jane Austen's brother, Edward. Visitors can enjoy the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, relax in the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, and find inspiration in the lives and works of its women writers. The Centre, which runs study programmes in association with the nearby University of Southampton, incorporates a significant library, a collection of over 9000 books and related manuscripts.

The historic house was the home of the eighteenth-century pioneering naturalist Gilbert White; whose major work The Natural History of Selborne has never been out of print since its publication in 1789. The House is surrounded by 25 acres of majestic restored garden and parkland, which specializes in eighteenth-century plants and gardening methods inspired by Gilbert White. Its unique and diverse, interactive Museum also boasts a fantastic café that serves food throughout the day, a well-stocked

Alice Holt Forest lies at the northwestern corner of the Weald where the bounding rim of Chalk swings round from a south-north trending outcrop to the west-east alignment of the Hog’s Back anticline. It is now planted mainly with conifers. The forest is now part of the South Downs National Park, which was established on 31 March 2010, and it forms the most northerly gateway to the park.

This is one of the largest bird parks in the country, located on the Hampshire border with Surrey it is a great place to explore for a fun and informative day out. In addition to a walk around 26 acres of aviaries and beautiful landscaped gardens, visitors can admire over 800 birds and 180 species from around the world and take part in educational feeding sessions throughout the day.

A beautiful heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The railway currently operates regularly scheduled services, along with dining trains, real ale trains and numerous special events throughout the year. You can sit back, relax and travel through the heart of quintessential English countryside by steam train, looking towards stunning views of the South Downs National Park.

Frensham Common is a fine example of open Surrey heathland. It is one of the largest expanses in the Weald. This man-made beach stretches along a 13th century lake giving ample opportunity to sunbathe and swim in warm weatherIt covers roughly 1,000 acres of attractive countryside and is owned by the National Trust.

Odiham Castle is located within a tranquil site adjacent to the Basingstoke Canal. The Castle, with its surrounding defensive ditches, was built between 1207 and 1214. The site was probably chosen by King John as a convenient point between his strongholds at Winchester and Windsor. The only visible remains are part of the octagonal keep and outlying earthworks. In September 2007 Hampshire County Council undertook a restoration of the shell keep under guidance from English Heritage.

This elegant country manor and tranquil garden sit so harmoniously within the landscape that one cannot exist without the other. a small neo-Georgian manor in the Hampshire vernacular style, dating, in part at least, to the 1960s when Dutton carefully rebuilt his home and its collections after they were ravaged by fire. The property is now more noted for its garden than the house.

The Museum of Farnham is a Grade I listed Georgian town house with a beautiful walled garden. The museum was founded in 1961 to provide the Farnham community with a collection dedicated to the history of the local area. The museum has a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century British work and houses a collection of objects, fine art and archive material relating to the history of Farnham.

Basing House was once the largest private house in England. It was built by William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester in the Tudor period, on the site of an earlier medieval castle. Basing House was once home to the powerful courtier William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester. You can enjoy a picnic in the re-created Jacobean garden, and come along to the many events and activities held throughout the year, including open air theatre, dig pits, re-enactments and a December Christmas market.

Farnham Maltings is one of the busiest and most diverse arts centres in Surrey offering theatre, film, craft, music, festivals, family theatre and more. Based in a set of buildings formerly used as a tannery and brewery, there is a variety of spaces available for education and leisure purposes. Farnham Maltings works with artists in a variety of ways. They produce, commission and tour national theatre and support creative businesses, artists and craft-makers.

Willis Museum has been housed in this impressive early Victorian building that was once Basingstoke's Town Hall. The building served as a corn exchange and market hall and dances were held in the room upstairs. It was also the headquarters of the Council of the Borough of Basingstoke until the borough was abolished by the Local Government Act 1972 in 1974.

Eastrop Park is a peaceful haven, a few minutes walk from the town centre and Basing View. The park features a large boating lake, a miniature golf course, a café and walking trails. The River Loddon flows through the park, feeding into a balancing pond. The pond serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including kingfishers.

A beautiful museum, set in 10 acres of Tilford, Farnham heathland, is home to 30 buildings housing displays of rural crafts and has the largest collection of countryside artifacts in the south of England. It plays host to many living history and family friendly events throughout the year. It offers extensive learning facilities for groups and schools with a fully accessible site and refreshments are available from the onsite Old Kiln Café.

Farnham Castle,is a 12th-century castle in Farnham, Surrey, England, formerly the residence of the Bishops of Winchester. The castle served as the seat of the powerful Bishops of Winchester. The location at Farnham was conveniently located on the main route used by the Bishops between London and Winchester. It is now a multi-award-winning wedding venue with stunning, historic buildings, beautiful grounds, world-class dining and guest accommodation.

Farnham Park is a 320 acre medieval deer park overlooking the town with an impressive 1km tree lined avenue and a large children's play area. This medieval deer park has an avenue of trees which is over a kilometer long. Originally the trees were mature elms, but these succumbed to the Dutch elm disease in the early 1970s and were replaced with lime and beech. There is grassland, woodland, ponds and streams.

The Sculpture Park is an enchanting place to visit in Surrey and is suitable for all ages and tastes. It is sited within 10 acres of woodland, lakes, streams and walkways which are home to a number of wild birds and other creatures as well as the residential doves. With over 600 ever changing sculptures on exhibition from over 200 well-known and upcoming sculptors, throughout 2 miles of trail, there will always be something new to discover and a surprise around every corner.

Festival Place is a 1.1m sq ft shopping centre situated in the centre of Basingstoke. It’s home to more than 160 big name stores, including Jack Wills, Next, Fat Face, Marks & Spencer, Apple, H&M, Zara, New Look, Debenhams, Pandora and Swarovski. A wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars makes Festival Place an appealing destination for foodies, whether it’s for a romantic dinner, a business lunch, evening drinks, or a coffee and catch-up with friends.

Bourne Wood is a quiet ancient woodland with mixed conifers and semi-natural broadleaf trees. The sand soil provides a good walking surface, and the many public footpaths give great access to the woodland, where you can take in the beautiful natural scenery. There is a car park and picnic area.