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Jane Austen in the Heart of Kent

The much-loved novelist Jane Austen knew Kent, and particularly the Heart of Kent region, intimately. It was Jane's connections with fashionable society and country house life in Kent which provided inspiration for some of her novels. Jane-lovers will find much of interest in the Heart of Kent and be able to discover more about the great writer's family and places with which she had strong connections.

A long line of Austens in the area can be traced back to the 16th century. Jane's father, Rev George Austen, was born in Tonbridge in 1731, attended Tonbridge School, and later returned to the school for a short time as a school master. A blue plaque on the wall of the Cawthorn Lecture Theatre commemorates his time at the school. The Church of St Peter & St Paul in the town contains several memorials to the Austen family on the interior north wall.

The Jane Austen Literary Walk of Tonbridge is a wonderful way to see first hand some of the places with an Austen connection. The Jane Austen Circular Walk of Tonbridge is a wonderful way to see first hand some of the places with an Austen connection. This audio tour and MP3 is available for hire from Tonbridge Library. Alternatively, a copy of the Walk can be downloaded or is available free of charge from the Tourist Information Centre in Tonbridge.

Several members of the Austen family lived in Sevenoaks. Jane's great uncle Francis Austen lived at The Red House. Jane and her sister Cassandra came to stay with their uncle in 1788. Although it is not possible to visit the house, it can be clearly seen from the High Street.

Squerryes Court, near Westerham is the magnificent setting for the BBC's latest adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma'. The house and gardens were used as the Woodford's home. Squerryes Court is open to visitors during the summer months.

Jane's favourite brother, Henry, who saw to it that 'Persuasion' and 'Northanger Abbey' were published, is buried in the small Woodbury Park cemetery tucked behind Grosvenor Road in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The town, along with Bath, was a very popular destination for Georgian and Regency high society, who came to 'take the waters'. Tunbridge Wells is mentioned in several of Jane's novels, and although there is no evidence to show that Jane visited Tunbridge Wells herself, it is quite likely that she would have visited the town.

Tunbridge ware, intricate wooden marquetry boxes unique to Tunbridge Wells, were popular souvenirs in 1700 and 1800s. Both Jane and her sister had early Tunbridge ware boxes, as did Harriet Smith in 'Emma' -'within abundance of silver paper was a pretty little Tunbridge ware bax, which Harriet opened.'. Several fine examples of Tunbridge ware can be seen in Tunbridge Wells Museum, and are sometimes found for sale in the antique shops in the Pantiles, the town's Georgian colonnade.

The village of Horsmonden, 8 miles from Cranbrook, was the ancient seat of one branch of the Austen family. Many of Jane's ancestors are buried in the gated tomb in St Margaret's churchyard.

Groombridge Place, 8 miles from Royal Tunbridge Wells, is the setting for the latest film adaptation of 'Pride & Prejudice' starring Keira Knightley and Donald Sutherland. The manor house stood in as the Bennett's family home. Although it is not possible to visit the house, the gardens are open to the public and it is possible to view the exterior of the house. A small exhibition includes some of the costumes and props used in the film.

Jane's brother, Edward was adopted by Mr & Mrs Knight of Godmersham Park, near Ashford. Edward later inherited the estate and Jane visited frequently up until 1813, and worked on several of her novels during her visits. Jane frequently attended balls during her visits to Kent and mentions 'the famous ball at Chilham Castle', also near Ashford, in 1801. Both houses are not open to the public, but the gardens at nearby Goodnestone Park are. Goodnestone was once home to Edward's wife's family, Sir Brook and Lady Bridges, and Jane was a regular guest.