A 20s and 30s Ramblers group.
Shannon
“...and the plan is that we should all walk with her to drink tea at Farringdon” - Jane Austen letter, 1811.
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, one of the world’s most beloved authors. To celebrate, the Berkshire Walkers will be having a series of walks across the year visiting sites connected with Austen.
This 7.5 mile walk from Alton explores the beautiful countryside that inspired Jane Austen, and includes a visit to her house at Chawton.
Pace: gentle.
Booking details: Booking is required for this walk, which is limited to 15 walkers. If you intend to visit Jane Austen's House, please book your ticket after you sign up for the walk - see additional details below.
Walk details
We will head out of Alton, past the A31, and then continue south, following the course of the Caker Stream, a tributary to the River Wey. After reaching Upper Farringdon, the walk enters true Jane Austen country, as the section we will follow from Upper Farringdon to Chawton was reputedly one of her favourite walks.
In Chawton, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Jane Austen’s House. This was Jane Austen’s home for the final eight years of her life, and where she was living when the first four of her novels were published (the remaining two were published after her death, but were written at Chawton). Alternatively, you can join the walk leader and visit Cassandra’s Cup tea rooms, or visit the Greyfriar pub, while the others visit the house.
If you are planning to visit Jane Austen’s House, you’ll need to book your own ticket (cost: £14, see https://janeaustens.house/) for the 14:20 slot, or the earliest available after that if it is already full - only twelve visitors are allowed in every twenty minutes.
We’ll then follow the road from Chawton back to Alton Station. Depending on timings, we may join up with Tom's walk in Chawton.
Travel by public transport
Please travel on the 10.18 train from Reading which gets to North Camp station at 10:41, where you’ll need to walk a short distance to Ash Vale station to catch the 11:03 train which arrives into Alton at 11:30. The walk leader intends to travel on this second train - if it is delayed the start of the walk will be too.
Travel by car
Pay-by-app parking is available at the station. Please note that Reading to Alton is only about 25 miles and the drive takes around 45 minutes in clear traffic.
Advice
Dogs
Assistance dogs only.
Alton Railway Station
