Overton In Jane Austen's Time talks as part of Heritage Open Days 2026

Overton in Jane Austen's time talks for Heritage Open Days 2026

Sunday 13 September at 12noon and 3.30pm
Overton Community Centre
For further details see Heritage Open Days website

Sunday 13 September at 12noon
FREE talk - Overton In Jane Austen's Time part 1 - What was Overton like when Jane Austen knew it? Exploring Overton's population, homes, business and literacy in Jane Austen's time.

Sunday 13 September at 3.30pm

FREE talk - Overton in Jane Austen's Time part 2 - What was Overton like when Jane Austen knew it? The church, travel, poverty, illness, crime and punishment, military service.

"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 to her sister, November 1798

Less than 3 miles from the Austen's birthplace and home for 25 years in Steventon, Overton was the home of Jane Austen's brother, James, who was curate at Overton from 1790 and with its many traders including 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 New Inn in Overton was the local post office and all Jane Austen’s letters from Steventon are postmarked Overton and addressed Steventon near Overton.

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 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.