‘May’ celebrates the garden here at Jane Austen's House, both as it was in Jane Austen's time and as it is today. We also drive along the Hogs Back, visit Bath and Winchester, examine Jane and Cassandra's 'topaze crosses' and the Austen women's patchwork coverlet, and witness the formation of the Jane Austen Society. We see Lydia joyfully depart for Brighton and accompany Emma and Frank Churchill to the much-anticipated ball at the Crown...

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A Jane Austen Year transports you to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the idyllic Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote her globally beloved novels – now a beloved museum.

Each month, join us on a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in. Discover scenes, letters, recipes, and objects from the museum collection, bound together with readings and sounds recorded in the House itself.

Each episode is recorded by the people who work at Jane Austen’s House, caring for this special place and protecting it for future generations.

‘May’ was voiced by: Lizzie Dunford, Jenny Durrant, Lisa Felix, Jessica Halmshaw, Julia McLeod, Sophie Reynolds, Rebecca Wood and Celia Simpson, with a guest appearance by Dominic Gerrard.

Find out more about some of the objects featured in this episode:
Letter from Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen, 26 May 1801
Topaz crosses
Patchwork coverlet
Dining Room grate

Episode website
https://janeaustens.house/news/podcast/

Script: Sophie Reynolds
Cover Artwork:Jessica Halmshaw
Sound & Original Music: Dominic Gerrard

This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.