The COVID-19 pandemic is a disaster for individuals, businesses and organisations around the world. For us, as for so many, it will be crippling. The impact it will have on our ability to protect this special place could be too much. It is with this in mind that Jane Austen's House has launched our Survival Appeal, calling on our worldwide community to help if they can.

As a registered charity without any regular public funding...

Volunteer Nicola Scarlett shares her thoughts on Val McDermid’s update of Jane Austen's classic tribute to the Gothic novel, Northanger Abbey:

While you’re forced into self-isolation, why not try a new take on an old tale? A few years ago, a number of well-known authors were asked to write modern versions of Jane Austen novels. Northanger Abbey was given to Val McDermid, a master at creating atmosphere, so a creepy Gothic novel...

A big thank you to Jane Austen's House volunteer, Janie Larus-McShane, who has written a short review of Pamela Aidan's trilogy of books: An Assembly Such as This, Duty and Desire and These Three Remain:

Pamela Aidan’s trilogy is a refreshing and rewarding re-visit to our beloved Pride and Prejudice, through the eyes of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Author Pamela Aidan judiciously peppers the story with characters and well-crafted story l...

We are so fortunate at Jane Austen's House to have such passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers. Even while our doors are closed, they continue to share stories, pictures, and insights from their experiences at the House and on all things Jane Austen - many of which we'll be featuring via our website, social channels and our newsletter in the weeks to come.

Volunteer Nicola Scarlett kicks off this...

Story tapes were a huge part of my childhood. I loved them – from the old cassette of Swallows and Amazons that was passed down through my cousins and eventually died through over-listening, to Alan Bennet reading Winnie the Pooh, and my best friend’s tape of My Naughty Little Sister that we always listened to in the car after swimming.

We made our own tapes too. Mine weren’t particularly sophisticated, but as a teenager my hus...