Mark your calendars! We’re celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in style with a Regency themed ‘felicities of all kinds’ picnic at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens on the 1st June.
Unknown to most, the lives of Gilbert White and Jane Austen closely intertwined with the two experiencing familiar surroundings in the same period. Both were talented writers born in the 18th century and lived in neighbouring villages, just three miles apart. White in Selborne and Austen in Chawton.
On the 31st of May 1811 Jane Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra about a party in Selborne.
“The gaieties of Tuesday (the 4th), on Selbourne Common, where there are to be volunteers and felicities of all kinds. Harriet B. is invited to spend the day with the John Whites, and her father and mother have very kindly undertaken to get Anna invited also. […] She desires her best love to Fanny, and will answer her letter before she leaves Chawton, and engages to send her a particular account of the Selbourne day.”
Access to the 18th century garden will be free on the day and entry to the house will cost just five pounds! The event will commence from 10:30 – 16:30. The invitation is open to everyone, and we thoroughly encourage attendees to dress up in their Austen inspired finest and enjoy the landscape gardens in this hidden Hampshire gem.
Collections Manager Kimberley James says: “People often forget that Gilbert White and Jane Austen knew many of the same people and called the same group of villages home. The Austen’s knew Selborne well and we are delighted to be able to celebrate Jane Austen 250th birthday with a Selborne picnic.”