Overton to Steventon guided trail for Heritage Open Days 2026

Overton to Steventon guided trail for Heritage Open Days 2026

Saturday 12 September from 10am

Meeting at the Community Centre in Overton

Pre-booking required on the Heritage Open Days website

Walking in the footsteps of Jane Austen - FREE Guided 9 mile walk from Overton to Jane Austen's birthplace and home for 25 years at Steventon where she wrote early versions of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey.

Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire, less than three miles from Overton. This corner of Hampshire was Jane’s home for her first 25 years and where she wrote early versions of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and Northanger Abbey.

The guided 9 mile circular walk from Overton to Steventon crosses the Hampshire countryside on footpaths, bridleways and lanes following in the footsteps of Jane Austen, her friends and family.

 The trail follows the path of the River Test across the beautiful Hampshire countryside to its source in Ashe and then across the fields to Deane, where Jane’s father was rector and passes Deane House, the home of the Harwood family, where Jane Austen danced and dined.

The trail then follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen herself to Steventon, passing the site of her home at Steventon Rectory (which was demolished in 1823/4) and on to St Nicholas Church, where her father was also rector.

The return journey crosses the beautiful grounds of Ashe Park, the home of the Austen family friend, Mr Holder, and then past Ashe Parsonage, the home of Jane’s ‘beloved friend’ Mrs Lefroy, and back across the fields to Overton, passing the site of Mrs Lefroy’s accident at the top of Overton Hill.

* Spaces are free but limited so booking is essential
Accessibility details
• Good walking shoes or boots
• Legs covered to minimise risk from ticks
• Top clothing suitable for the weather conditions
• Drinking water
• Snack / packed lunch
• The trail includes roads and footpaths with some steep sections and uneven ground. You must be able to tackle these at a reasonable pace throughout the 9 mile walk.
• Estimate duration of walk - 5 hours
Toilet facilities at start and finish.

Please advise the walk leader of any medical conditions that might present an issue whilst walking.