Jane Austen lovers have a just right explanation why to discover the southwest of England this 12 months: It’s the 250th anniversary of her start, and celebrations abound. Hampshire was once each Austen’s birthplace and a supply of inspiration; as a novelist, she was once maximum prolific on this bucolic atmosphere. Get started out at Jane Austen’s Area, her former cottage, that includes an exhibition and themed gala’s. The Jane Austen Nation Honest will enliven Steventon in July, whilst Southampton is exhibiting Austen’s touring writing table and web hosting the irreverent hit display “Pleasure and Prejudice* (*Type Of).” In Winchester, actions come with literary readings, guided walks, get admission to to Winchester School and a brand new statue at Winchester Cathedral, her ultimate resting position. In Bathtub, the Jane Austen Middle goes all out, with dance balls and its Grand Regency Costumed Prom. Farther afield are websites used as places for Austen movie diversifications — like Stourhead, in Wiltshire, pictured right here, which seems within the 2005 model of “Pleasure and Prejudice.”— AnneLise Sorensen
