Entry to a privately owned Grade II* Listed former Norman Chapel desecrated since the 17th Century, to view an exhibition on Overton in Jane Austen’s time.
Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire, near Overton. This corner of Hampshire was Jane’s home for her first 25 years and where she wrote early versions of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Northanger Abbey.
Located just 2.5 miles from Jane Austen’s home in Steventon, Overton was described as a ‘neat little town’ in Jane Austen’s time. The New Inn in Overton was the Austen family’s post office and all Jane Austen’s letters from Steventon are postmarked Overton and addressed Steventon near Overton. Jane’s brother, James Austen, became a curate at Overton in 1790, living firstly in Overton Vicarage and then, after marrying in 1792, moving to Court House, which still stands, as it did in Jane Austen’s time on a hill next to the church.
As well as Jane’s curate brother, her father, George Austen, the rector of Steventon, occasionally performed services at St Mary’s Church in Overton. With its grocers, tailors, dressmakers, shoemakers, and the local apothecary amongst its many traders, Overton was the closest place to the Austens’ home for the necessities of life. Housed in a Grade II* Norman chapel which had fallen to disuse by the 17th century, the Overton in Jane Austen’s time exhibition explores the ‘neat little town’ that Jane knew. Jane’s dear friend Mrs Lefroy describes an afternoon having fun at the river in Quidhampton and drinking ‘tea in the Alcove’. Could she mean the chapel?
Timings & Tours
Saturday 13th September: 2pm - 4pm
Location & directions
Directions:
Train: Overton is on the London Waterloo to Exeter line, see nationalrail.co.uk - Chapel is a short walk from Overton Train Station
Car: Limited street parking is available on Station Approach. Free parking available at the car park on Overton Hill (what3words // crusher.fabricate.huddle)
Bus: 76 and 86, www.stagecoachbus.com
Booking information
Pre-booking requirement: Pre-booking not required
Estimated tour duration: 30 minutes