To mark this significant anniversary, Winchester Cathedral joins local organisations to celebrate her legacy.
Winchester Cathedral, Jane Austen's final resting place, has put together a vibrant programme of events to honour the life and works of one of the world's most renowned authors. Explore all events, exhibitions and visitor information below.
11 March 2025 - 15 March 2025
The Storytellers
Winchester Cathedral is kicking off the anniversary celebrations in March with The Storytellers. This enchanting and immersive son et lumière event celebrates the rich tapestry of literature, poetry, and the oral traditions.
Delve into dedicated areas that honour literary giants from Jane Austen to Shakespeare, with immersive experiences that breathe life into these timeless works. Children’s literature and classic tales are also celebrated, creating an captivating and mesmerising atmosphere for audiences of all ages.
With a very special family offer, you can experience this breath-taking light and sound display for less! On Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March, you'll pay just Just £25 for 2 adults and up to 4 children (aged 3-16). Simply add the number of adults and children to your basket and this offer will be applied.
23 May 2025 - 2 September 2025
Interactive family trail
Included with your annual pass, no booking required, simply head to the Welcome Desk upon arrival to the cathedral to collect your ‘invitation to Jane Austen’s party’.
Journey around the cathedral, follow the clues and meet characters on route to the party, completing challenges along the way.
23 May 2025 - 19 October 2025
Angelic Women: The friendship of Jane Austen and Anne Lefroy
This new exhibition is a special opportunity to view the original manuscript of Jane Austen’s poem, in her hand, about the death of her close friend, Mrs Anne Lefroy. Anne was a mentor to Jane, encouraging her writing and sharing her extensive library before Anne’s untimely death following a riding accident in 1804.
Four years later, Jane would pen the poem, ‘To the Memory of Mrs Lefroy' as a testament to this friendship.
Don’t forget to visit the Cathedral Scribes, who are located on the same floor as this exhibition, to find out more about penmanship and calligraphy.
There is no pre-booking required; entry to the exhibition is included with your annual pass. You can buy your annual pass online, or when you arrive at the cathedral.
Image credit: Jane Austen's House
31 May 2025
Regency Ball
This is a very unique opportunity to step back in time and take part in a traditional Regency Ball. Be serenaded by The Warleggan Village Band (as seen on BBC TV’s Poldark) and enjoy a dance performance by the Hampshire Regency Dancers before taking to the floor yourself.
It’s not mandatory to wear Regency attire, but this offers a great chance to dig out your glad rags. If you’d like to hire a costume, this list has been put together by Jane Austen Regency Week which includes Hampshire Wardrobe.
This event has now sold out. If you’d like to be added to the cancellation list please email box.office@winchester-cathedral.org.uk
6 June 2025
To Begin at the Beginning
We tend to ‘read for the ending’, accelerating as we approach the denouement: who dunnit? or, whom did they marry, and why? But let’s pause for a moment and look at the beginning.
Michael Wheeler starts with some good and some very bad novel openings. He then homes in on the openings of Jane Austen’s six published novels, pages that demonstrate her genius, especially her wit and economy, as she creates the ‘world’ of each work of fiction.
Join this talk on the openings of Jane Austen's novels in person or online via live stream.
19 September 2025
The Tell-Tale Compression of the Pages: Jane Austen’s Endings
Wedding bells; soaring music and sunny skies; a kiss shared by the happy couple: Jane Austen’s novels, when adapted for the screen, invariably end with the marriage of the hero and heroine. On the page, Austen’s endings are more complex.
In this talk, Dr Gillian Dow (University of Southampton) will range across Austen’s published and unpublished writing, looking in detail at the choices Austen made when concluding her fictions.
Join this talk on the endings of Jane Austen's novels in person or online via live stream.
23 May 2025 - 22 September 2025
Jane Austen tour
Jane Austen was born in Steventon, near Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1775. She died in Winchester in 1817, in rented rooms in College Street. She knew and loved the Cathedral and is buried in the north aisle. Her brother Henry composed the inscription for her ledger stone.
This tour offers an intimate and often amusing insight into her life and connections within the Cathedral.
Please note that the tour includes a short walk, weather permitting, outside the Cathedral precinct. If you do have mobility issues, please let us know when making a booking.
Booking for the tour is not yet open.
October 2025
Jane Austen Anniversary Service
To mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Winchester Cathedral will hold a special service featuring beautiful music, readings and prayers.
Booking for this service is not yet open.
October 2025
Unveiling of the Jane Austen Statue
The Cathedral Chapter have worked in close collaboration with Martin Jennings, one of the country’s leading figurative sculptors (more recently known for his portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Mint), to develop an outdoor memorial to Austen.
There are no uncontested portraits of Jane Austen, but Jennings has studied the available evidence to produce a likeness. His overall conception, reflected in her expression and posture, emphasises her moral vision and the strength of her literary legacy.
Located in the Inner Close, set against the homely backdrop of No 9 the Close, she stands as an authoritative and elegant figure, with her characteristic ringlets and cap, by her famous writing table.
