Chawton Village Loop

Chawton Village exudes quintessential Hampshire charm, with its thatched cottages, leafy lanes, and deep-rooted literary history — perfect for a wander.

In the heart of the village, just steps from the Jane Austen House and the car park on Winchester Road, you’ll find Cassandra’s Tea Room—a charming spot named after Jane’s beloved sister. A few doors down the Greyfriar Pub offers a cosy place for refreshments.

Towards the end of the walk, you’ll arrive at Chawton House, where the charming Old Kitchen Tearoom serves sandwiches, cakes, and—if booked in advance—afternoon tea. You might also spot a coffee cart on the drive, perfect for a quick pick-me-up.

Terrain: The terrain is mostly flat, following a combination of paved paths and grassy footpaths —ideal for a relaxed stroll or family outing.

Start/Finish:  Winchester Road Car Park, Chawton, GU34 1SB, UK; Grid: SU 70886 37524; https://w3w.co/barstool.novels.airports

Further Parking is available for Chawton House on Gosport Road.

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After parking in the village car park on Winchester Road, you’ll find Jane Austen’s House just across the road. This is where Jane lived with her mother and beloved sister Cassandra, and where she revised and wrote some of her most celebrated novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. The house is now a beautifully preserved museum, typically open Wednesday to Sunday. Booking in advance is highly recommended, as visitor numbers are carefully limited to preserve the experience.

To begin the walk, with the Winchester Road car park behind you, turn left onto Gosport Road. Follow the pavement, and soon you’ll see Chawton House and the elegant St Nicholas’s Church nestled on your left

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Continue straight ahead through the car park. And at the end of car park, take the tree shaded footpath.

You are now walking through the Chawton House estate, following a route broadly marked by orange arrows. While these way markers offer helpful guidance, they can be a little intermittent — so keep an eye on your map or route notes to stay on track.

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Follow the path through a wooden gate. As it path comes to an end, just before you reach another wooden gate ahead, look to your left for a stile.

Cross over into the sheep fields and follow the faint grassy track, keeping the fence line on your right as a guide

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Continue past a metal gate on your right, follow this new fence line, until you see a wooden gate in front of you. Go through it and follow the tree line on your right.

After a short walk, you will notice, slightly to your left, a line of more recently planted single trees, each protected by a wooden frame. A faint path threads through them—follow this as it gently guides you onward.

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At the end of the tree-lined path, you will come upon a large fallen oak and a circular copse. Turn right here, keeping the trees on your left, and follow the faint path as it curves gently around the copse.

On the far side of the copse, the faint path merge with a wider mowed path.

Follow this mowed path, it will return you in a large curve back to another entrance (large metal gate with orange arrows) to a sheep field by the church.

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Once through the gate, bear right. This path leads to another metal gate and onto the gravel drive of St Nicholas’s Church and Chawton House.

St Nicholas’s Church, is a Grade II* listed building with roots stretching back centuries. The original medieval church was largely destroyed by fire in 1871. The churchyard is the resting place of Jane Austen’s mother and sister—both named Cassandra. St Nicholas is open to visitors during daylight hours and is a lovely spot to pause.

For refreshments, or a visit to Chawton House turn right and follow the drive up to the Old Kitchen Tearoom—a cosy spot for sandwiches, cakes, and afternoon tea.

To return to the village centre and the car park, turn left instead, then right at the end of the drive. From there, simply retrace your steps through Chawton.