The Jane Austen Literacy Foundation hosts events annually at Jane Austen Regency Week, a 9-day festival held in Chawton and neighbouring Alton, Hampshire (UK), each June.
22nd to 30th June 2024
Meet Caroline and our volunteers (scroll down for information and tickets):
Saturday 22nd from 10am - Alton Regency Day Market
Sunday 23rd at 1.00pm - Parade for Literacy
Sunday 23rd at 1.30pm - Jane Austen Regency Picnic
All proceeds from the Foundation’s market stall, the Parade for Literacy and Jane Austen Regency Picnic will be spent on literacy programs and activities.
EVENT DETAILS:
Alton Regency Day Market - 22nd June - 10am
Meet Caroline and some of our volunteers at the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation market stall. Learn more about the Foundation and enter our free prize giveaway.
Alton Regency Day is free and also includes:
• Horse & Carriage rides (fare payable)
• Petting Animals
• Market Stalls
• Musical Entertainment & Dancing
• Soldier re-enactors
• Lots of Regency Costumes and accessories
Parade for Literacy - 23rd June - 1.00pm
Join Jane Austen’s family in a 'Parade for Literacy', starting outside Jane Austen’s House and finishing at Chawton House. As well as enjoying the beautiful walk and company, the parade stops at St Nicholas Church in Chawton, to visit Jane’s statue and for photographs.
The Parade retraces Jane’s steps from her cottage in the middle of the village to Chawton ‘Great House’, as Jane called it, to borrow books. Access to books provided knowledge and inspiration and is as vital to children today as it was to Jane. 100% of the proceeds from tickets sales, and donations made at the event, will be spent on Jane Austen Literacy Foundation programs and literacy activities.
Jane Austen Regency Picnic - 23rd June - 1.30pm
Join Jane Austen’s family and special guests for a Regency picnic on the lawns of Chawton House.
Enjoy an afternoon of fun, games and entertainment - speakers include Zoe Wheddon, author of Jane Austen: Daddy's Girl: The Life and Influence of The Revd George Austen, who will be giving us a deeper insight into the relationship between Jane and her father, and Austen collector, historian and costumer, Hazel Mills, who will be talking about some of Jane’s most interesting and unexpected acquaintances. The winner of the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Writing Competition 2024, a short story inspired by the theme The Art of Listening, will also be announced and the winning story narrated.
Jane Austen Regency Week
22nd to 30th June 2024 - Tickets are on sale with a 9-day calendar of events. The 'week' commences with a traditional Regency Day in Alton's High Street. The road will be filled with stalls, music, singing and dancing groups, petting animals and horse-drawn carriage rides. The focus then shifts to the Assembly Rooms for the Regency Dancing Workshop, followed by the Regency Ball.
Sunday 23rd features a parade and picnic at Chawton House and tours at Jane Austen’s House, climaxing with Regency Choral Evensong at St Lawrence Church in Alton. During the week there are a wide variety of events including walks, talks, tours, music and workshops. The second weekend features the Country Dance, back by popular request, and culminates with the quiz and Regency Supper.
For information, event program and tickets: