WINCHESTER tourism has received a major boost with news that the house where Jane Austen died is to be opened to the public for the first time.
The property in College Street where Austen spent her finals days is being opened next summer.
The house, 8 College Street, is owned by Winchester College and is where the famous writer lived shortly before her death on July 18, 1817. It has been a private residence let to a member of staff for many years.
In 2025 the college is opening the building to tours between June and August as part of a celebration of the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. It raises the question of whether the house may permanently open to the public as a museum.
The house will host an exhibition about Austen’s life and Winchester, featuring a specially commissioned film alongside artefacts from Winchester College’s collection.
READ MORE: Jane Austen's House in Chawton launches 250th anniversary programme
Tickets cost £12.50, with the house open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 4 to August 30, with tickets going on sale on September 16.
The college is also offering guided evening tours on select dates. These include a tour led by Dr Richard Foster, keeper of collections at Winchester College, a drinks reception in the garden of 8 College Street, and private dining in the college. Prices for the private evening tours start at £475, with various options available.
The news has been welcomed by other local Jane Austen institutions.
Lizzie Dunford, the director of Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, said: “Here at Jane Austen’s House, we are greatly looking forward to 8 College Street being a part of the Hampshire-wide celebrations of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday.
“As the place where Austen spent her last weeks before her death, it is an important part of her story, and we are so pleased that Janeites both local and from across the world will have the opportunity to see inside. 2025 will be a year filled with events, exhibitions and celebrations at JAH and across the county to celebrate Hampshire’s greatest literary genius and the opening of 8 College Street will be a particularly emotive part of the year.”
Katie Childs, CEO of Chawton House, where Austen’s brother Edward Austen Knight lived, said: “We're delighted Winchester College is able to open 8 College Street to the public to mark Jane Austen's 250th anniversary. We know those interested in Austen will find the experience of visiting the place she spent her final days moving, and the wider story of Winchester College and the Austen and Knight families fascinating. We hope visitors from within and outside the county will take the rare chance next year to see inside all three existing Hampshire properties so connected with her life - Jane Austen's House, Chawton House and 8 College Street.”
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A Winchester College spokesperson said: “Winchester College is very excited to open No. 8 College Street to the public for the first time next year, as part of a worldwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth that will take place throughout 2025. The house will be open for a limited number of days throughout June, July, and August 2025. We look forward to welcoming visitors during the summer, to explore the house where Austen spent her final weeks and to learn more about Austen’s connections with Winchester and the College.
"We are proud to work alongside a wide range of organisations from across Winchester and Hampshire to celebrate the life of Jane Austen, including Jane Austen’s House, Winchester Cathedral, the Hampshire Cultural Trust and Winchester City Council. We hope that visitors to Winchester will make the most of this opportunity to visit the Austen exhibitions in No. 8 College Street and in our Treasury museum, as well as to participate in the many other JA 250 events hosted across Winchester and Hampshire throughout 2025.”
The Chronicle asked Winchester College what the long-term plans for the house are, and whether it will be turned into a permanent museum. The college is yet to address these questions.
The news comes months after Winchester Cathedral received planning permission to erect a bronze statue of Austen in the Cathedral Close, a few minutes' walk from College Street.
As previously reported, the statue, which will be cast in bronze an placed outside 9 The Close, has been designed by sculptor Martin Jennings.
Austen is buried in the north transept of the cathedral.
More information about 8 College Street can be found by visiting winchestercollege.org/visit-us/jane-austen.
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