‘Felicities of all kinds’ Picnic

On the 31st 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.”

To celebrate the 250 anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday we will be having a picnic. You are all invited to enjoy a picnic, dress up in your Austen inspired finest and enjoy our 18th Century gardens.

Access to the garden will be free on the day and you can visit the house for just £5!  

    Gilbert Whites House

    Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne’s Plestor, to this house, called ‘The Wakes’ (named after the Wake family who had lived here previously). At that time, the property would have been no more than a ‘two up, two down’ but over subsequent years several extensions and additions have been made, creating the long, sizeable house you see today.

    The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White’s own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts.

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