Deputy Director Dr Kim Simpson shares some highlights in the busy Chawton House events calendar for 2025, including new garden tours (coinciding with Chawton House becoming an RHS Partner Garden), musicals and a brand new exhibition! You'll also hear some ways in which Chawton House are celebrating the 250th year anniversary of Jane Austen's birth.

For more information on events visit https://chawtonhouse.org/whats-on/

Intro Theme music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

Main art: Natalie Wilkins (Instagram: @ tilly.scribbles)

© 2020 by Lizzie Frisby for Chawton House

Curator Emma Yandle tells you all about Mary Robinson, the star of the latest exhibition on at Chawton House until 21st April 2025. Emma shares how she curated the exhibition and some background behind Mary Robinson.

Mary Robinson was a star of the London stage, notorious mistress and writer who pioneered celebrity status. She's been long remembered her relationship with the Prince of Wales (later George IV) and in recent decades she has been reclaimed as one of the most important and overlooked writers of the late 18th century.

Intro Theme music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

Main art: Natalie Wilkins (Instagram: @ tilly.scribbles)

© 2020 by Lizzie Frisby for Chawton House

With so much happening at Chawton House, Lizzie asks Dr Kim Simpson for a run down of events for Gothic season (its theme this year is 'Captivity'), a sneak-peak of Christmas festivities and a look ahead to the new year, 2025!

From brand new displays in the house to garden trails, mid-week roasts and online events... visit https://chawtonhouse.org/whats-on/ for more information!

Intro Theme music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

Main art: Natalie Wilkins (Instagram: @ tilly.scribbles)

© 2020 by Lizzie Frisby for Chawton House

Lizzie chats to award-winning graduate from the Royal School of Needlework, Emily Barnett, whose work is showcased in the latest exhibition, Chawton In Stitches (13th May - 26th August 2024).

Whilst working at Chawton House as a General Assistant for a Saturday job, Emily became inspired by her surroundings - the gardens and Chawton House collection - for her final showstopping piece at the Royal School of Needlework.

Emily talks us through the creative process of her work and what you can see on display. She also talks about the now sold out Embroidery Workshops which she will be leading at the House at the end of August.

Intro Theme music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

Main art: Natalie Wilkins (Instagram: @ tilly.scribbles)

© 2020 by Lizzie Frisby for Chawton House

Find out all about the Evening Orchard Wassail at Chawton House with Lizzie Frisby. It's a centuries’ old Twelfth Night apple-growing celebration, involving hearty singing in the orchard to encourage a bountiful harvest in 2024, led by the Wassail Queen.

Lizzie narrates and explains the evening and chats to the Wassail Queen (Dr Clio O'Sullivan). Plus, you can hear inserts from the Kings Pond Shantymen who provided some lively traditional songs at the occasion.

Main art: Natalie Wilkins (Instagram: @ tilly.scribbles)

Intro Theme music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

© 2020 by Lizzie Frisby for Chawton House

Lizzie Frisby chats to Chief Executive Katie Childs and Deputy Director Dr Kim Simpson about the wide range of events coming up in 2024. From a Snowdrop Spectacular to arts and crafts, outdoor theatre to a whole programme of online events and even a place to stay overnight ON SITE... there's certainly something for everyone!

Chawton House celebrated its 20th anniversary of preserving and promoting early women's writing, from 13th to 16th July 2023.

Lizzie Frisby talks to Curator & Collections Manager Emma Yandle about the arrival of a special acquisition that coincided with the anniversary.

Then, Dr Clio O'Sullivan chats to a whole range of speakers and guests who joined for the celebrations: best-selling author and headline speaker - Gill Hornby, former Post-doctoral Fellow in Women's Writing (1680-1830)- Professor Jennie Batchelor, Chawton House Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Southampton - Dr Gillian Dow and former visiting fellow Dr Alison Daniell.

Music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

Lizzie catches up with Deputy Director Dr Kim Simpson about the 'Quills & Characters' exhibition she curated, which is on show at Chawton House until 3rd September 2023.

Visit the 'What's On' page on the Chawton House website to find out how you can visit the exhibition yourself and even have a guided tour!

Music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

The Chawton House Podcast is back!

Most people associate Chawton with Jane Austen, but do you actually know WHY? Do you know what brought Jane to Chawton and why Chawton House is significant to her writing?

Chawton House’s resident historian and researcher Martin Caddick helps us answer these all important questions.

Music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155

Deputy Director Dr Kim Simpson and Curator & Collections Manager Emma Yandle tell us about the acquisitions currently held at Chawton House. We also hear about the Man Up! Creative Writing competition which received applicants from across the world.

Music: Guitalele's Happy Place by Kara Square (c) copyright 2017

Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56155