Sense and Sensibility Celebration Tour
July 7-17, 2024
A Pathfinders Tour Sponsored by JASNA
Pre- and post-tour accommodations can also be arranged as add-ons to tour reservations.
- Day 1—Sunday, July 7: Arrive at London's Heathrow Airport. Transfer to the hotel in Windsor is included. Join fellow tour members for a Welcome dinner in the hotel this evening. (Welcome dinner included; overnight in Windsor)
- Day 2—Monday, July 8: After breakfast, walk with the tour guide to Windsor Castle. Following this visit, there will be a short time for an independent snack lunch before departing Windsor and heading west to Bath. After checking in to the hotel, walk with the tour guide to the Pump Room for afternoon tea at 4:00 pm. Spend the remainder of the day and evening at your leisure. (Breakfast and Tea included; overnight in Bath)
Windsor Castle
- Day 3—Tuesday, July 9: Optional guided walking tour in the morning, including views of the Assembly Rooms and the Circus and a visit to St. Swithin’s Church, where Rev. George Austen is buried. Meet again in the hotel lobby at approximately 4.30 pm to walk up to the Royal Crescent via the Gravel Walk. This outing includes a private visit to No. 1 Royal Crescent for a self-guided Jane Austen-themed audio-visual tour. Evening at leisure and dinner on your own. (Breakfast included; overnight in Bath)
- Day 4—Wednesday, July 10: In the morning, depart Bath for Devonshire, traveling via Lyme Regis. Stroll on the Cobb where Louisa had her dramatic fall in Persuasion. In the afternoon, visit the Philpot Museum, famous for the fossil discoveries by Mary Anning, before continuing via Sidmouth to Exeter to check in to the hotel. (Breakfast included; overnight in Exeter)
Devonshire Countryside
- Day 5—Thursday, July 11: "A Day in Devon with the Dashwoods"
This morning, visit the small hamlet of Upton Pyne, which some think may be have been the inspiration for Barton village. You will have the opportunity to visit Pynes House and the Church of Our Lady and meet some of the locals, who will speak to the group about this possible Austen connection. Continue on to Dawlish, where Lucy Steele and Robert Ferrars spent their honeymoon and where Jane Austen herself visited. There will be time for lunch in nearby Teignmouth. In the evening, author Hazel Jones will meet with our group to give a Sense and Sensibility-themed talk and join us for dinner. (Breakfast and dinner included; overnight in Exeter)
- Day 6—Friday, July 12: Depart Exeter for Salisbury. Upon arrival, visit Mompesson House, which stood in for Mrs. Jennings's London townhouse in the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. There will be free time for an independent lunch in the city center, followed by a visit to Salisbury Cathedral before continuing to Winchester for a 3-night stay. Dinner in the hotel restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner included; overnight in Winchester)
Salisbury Cathedral
- Day 7—Saturday, July 13: Enjoy the morning is at leisure in Winchester. In the afternoon, attend the UK Jane Austen Society's Annual General Meeting. (Breakfast included; overnight in Winchester)
- Day 8—Sunday, July 14: Depart for Chawton this morning to visit Jane Austen’s House for the "opening up." Continue to Chawton House Library in the late morning for a self-guided visit of the house and grounds. Lunch here is included. After returning to Winchester, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. (Breakfast and lunch included; overnight in Winchester)
The Vyne, South Front
- Day 9—Monday, July 15: Visit Winchester Cathedral in the morning to view Jane Austen's grave and take part in a brief service and flower ceremony. Depart for Steventon, Jane Austen’s birthplace, to visit the village and St. Nicholas Church, where Jane was baptized. Then travel to The Vyne, the grand Tudor estate that was the home of the Chutes, part of the Austen family's circle of acquaintances often mentioned in Jane Austen's letters. You will also have free time for lunch on your own at The Vyne before continuing to London to check in to the hotel for a two-night stay. (Breakfast included; overnight in London)
- Day 10—Tuesday, July 16: Enjoy a panoramic guided walking tour of Sense and Sensibility sites in the morning, then spend some time at leisure exploring London independently. Meet again in the late afternoon/early evening for a Farewell Dinner and Regency entertainment. (Breakfast and Farewell Dinner included; overnight in London)
Westminster Bridge, London
- Day 11—Wednesday, July 17: Small group transfers to Heathrow Airport will be provided today for return flights. (Breakfast included)
To register, email tour@jasna.org. Please include your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number in the body of the email.
NOTES
- Itinerary tentative as of December 2023
- Included in Tour:
- 10 nights' hotel accommodation (minimum 4-star standard) on a bed & breakfast basis
- Porterage of one bag per person
- All breakfasts, one lunch, one afternoon tea, and four dinners
- Coach services as per itinerary
- Services of Pathfinders tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Airport transfer on July 7 and July 17 (small groups)
- Entrance to Windsor Castle, St. Swithin’s Church, No. 1 Royal Crescent, Philpot Museum, Salisbury Cathedral, Mompesson House, Winchester Cathedral, UK Jane Austen Society AGM, Jane Austen’s House, Chawton House, Steventon Church, and The Vyne
- Not Included in Tour: Air fare; meals and visits not listed
Photos Credits:
• Photos © Jane Austen Society of North America or Pathfinders