Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.
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Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History
A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.
Day 7, A Most Excellent Adventure to Chawton
By Donna Fletcher Crow ~ March 19, 2025
Our entire experience at the Jane Austen Festival has been very much a time travel experience, which Tamara Mackenthun likens to the 1989 movie “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” when she gives her popular talk about our experience. This day, however, held a special surprise.
We were up bright and early to catch the minibus for the 2 hour journey from Bath to Hampshire. First stop: The charming little church in Steventon where Jane Austen’s father was rector for the first 25 years of her life before she moved to Bath with her family.
The simple Norman church was built around the year 1200 and is relatively unchanged from the original.
Then to Chawton, along roads bordered by hedgerows hundreds of years old—many of them taller than the minibus. The rest of the tour group then went on to Chawton Cottage where Jane, her mother, her sister Cassandra, and their friend Martha Lloyd lived and where Jane’s writing flowered. But Tamara had made different arrangements for us. We were taken on down the road a bit to Chawton House, referred to by Jane in her letters as “The Big House,” property of her brother Edward Austen Knight.
We were insistently urged to speed by Tamara as she led us forward,
past the welcoming hostess who asked us for no admission fee, and on up the grand staircase to the special Mary Robinson exhibit. And there, the grand reveal:
The centerpiece of the exhibit is a replica of the Chemise à la Reine gown worn by the notorious superstar of her day Mary Robinson, made by our own superstar Tamara Mackenthun.
The exhibit featured Mary’s fame and success as an actress, especially in her role as “Perdita,” as as well as her achievements as a novelist, poet, royal mistress, and fashion leader.
Mary Robinson’s espousal of the simple, loose-fitting, light cotton gown popularized by Marie Antoinette, changed fashion history as women were freed from the heavy, tight-fitting overly elaborate clothing of the 18th century to the lighter, simpler, younger style of Regency England.
Another special moment for me was meeting my long-time pen friend Lizzie Watt who took her day off teaching in nearby Winchester to accompany us.
Lizzie, a budding writer herself first contacted me many years ago after reading my novel The Flame Ignites about Elswyth Thane, an American novelist Lizzie was researching. She has continued to be a faithful and lively correspondent—whose letters are now enlivened by shared memories of our day in Chawton.
Sadly, the Chawton House librarian was not in that day, so was unable to locate the copies of my Jane Austen-themed novels which had been placed on the shelves when I visited in 2019.
But I did get to spend a quiet moment enjoying Jane Austen’s favorite reading corner.
Then we strolled in the garden
where Tamara, Glenda and I had a quick rest
on the bench donated to Chawton House by our Southern Idaho Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America.
Then back up the path and through the lych gate,
past the statue of Jane Austen walking in the garden,
to St. Nicholas Church.
This is where the Austen family worshipped in Chawton,
and where Jane's mother and sister are buried.
Then to Chawton Cottage for a few pictures in the garden;
Before Lizzie led us to the stop to catch the bus to Winchester. We met our group at the Cathedral where Jane is buried;
And we returned to Bath, savoring every moment of our most Excellent Adventure.
Next week, Day 8: Another grand day out exploring Hannah More country with Brenda Cox.
Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.
Read More: Attending the Jane Austen Festival
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Reader Comments:
Oh, what great memories you bring to mind. We had a wonderful visit there a few years ago. Feels like history, still alive.
-SheilaDeeth, March 21, 2025
Love your article! I would love to have a complete tourist type booklet to be able to tourist all the Jane Austen sites to see on my own trip at some future. How fun that would be on my own schedule!!
Love it! Thanks, Donna
-Kathleen , March 21, 2025
So true, Sheila! I think it has been a great protection to Chawton to be in such a hard-to-get-to location, not being on a train line. Only true pilgrims turn up there--but it is so completely worth it.
-Donna, March 29, 2025
I do hope you can make your own tour someday, Kathleen. Yes, taking it at your own pace is definitely best. In the meantime you might like to take a look at my Jane Austen Encounter--it visits all of Jane's homes, so you can consider it a prep for your own tour.
-Donna, March 29, 2025
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