Overton in Jane Austen's Time - guided walk

"The Overton Scotchman has been kind enough to rid me of some of my money, in exchange for six shifts and four pair of stockings.”
Jane Austen's letter, November 1798

Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire, 2.5 miles from Overton which was described as a ‘neat little town’ in Jane Austen’s time. Along with Steventon, this corner of Hampshire was Jane’s home for her first 25 years. She wrote early versions of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and Northanger Abbey at Steventon.

The New Inn in Overton was the Austen family’s post office and all Jane Austen’s letters from Steventon are postmarked Overton and addressed Steventon near Overton.

With its grocers, tailors, dressmaker, shoemakers, the local apothecary and of course, the ‘Overton Scotchman’, Overton was the closest place to the Austens’ home for the necessities of life.

The Overton in Jane Austen’s Time trail explores the ‘neat little town’ that Jane knew.

Learn about everyday people working in the Silk Mill and trade at the Inn on the busy London to Exeter Coaching route. See where the Overton apothecary and dressmaker lived and the site of the village workhouse. Learn about Austen family connections to Overton and where members of Jane Austen's family lived and worked in the village.

Refreshments will be available to purchase in the village and at key locations on the walk for a donation. Toilet facilities will be available at two key sites.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

Starting at 11.00am

Location & directions

Overton Community Centre, High Street, Overton, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 3HB

Directions:

The trails all start at the information board in the centre of Overton. OS Grid Ref: SU 51500 49676 ///qualify.revives.goofy (what3words) Train: Overton is on the London Waterloo to Exeter line, see www.nationalrail.co.uk Car: Park at the car park on Overton Hill OS Grid Ref: SU 51749 49671 ///crusher.fabricate.huddle (what3words) Bus: 76 and 86, www.stagecoachbus.com

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Pre booking required via link below.

Booking contact name:

Hampshire History Trust

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampshire-history-trust

Booking opens:

27 Aug 2026 09:00 AM

Booking closes:

11 Sep 2026 03:00 PM

Accessibility details

The Overton in Jane Austen’s Time Trail, going through the village and along country lanes, may challenge wheelchair users: Two uphill sections 1. Court Drove - approximately 9% /1:10 gradient, 100m length 2. Dellands - approximately 6% /1:17 gradient, 350m length Narrow pavements There are narrow pavements along the High Street and no pavements along Silk Mill Lane and Dellands. Overhanging bushes May be found along Bridge Street, at the corner of Southington Lane with the B3400 and along Dellands. Potholes There are several potholes along the trail.

Additional information

Max number of people:

40

Estimated duration:

2 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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