The UK is old. Like, really old. For better or worse, it’s full of buildings and traditions which are older than the country itself, dating back thousands of years and countless kings and queens. We’ve got castles and churches, and, of course, centuries of cultural institutions which were born and bred on this island.
Jane Austen’s novels remain, even 200 years after her death, quintessentially English. You know exactly what a ‘Mr Darcy’ type is, and several of Austen’s books have now been adapted into blockbuster movies with Hollywood stars. She’s one of the definitive novelists of the 18th century, and, coincidentally, 2025 marks her 250th birthday.
Jane sadly isn’t around anymore to celebrate, but in honour of her and her works the New York Times (NYT) has named Hampshire, her birthplace, as its top spot to visit in the world this year, beating out spots like the Galapagos Islands and Greenland to claim the top gong.
Strictly the NYT isn’t recommending just Hampshire but anywhere you could consider ‘Jane Austen’s England’, which encompasses a lot of the south of England across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Surrey.
The NYT mentioned Jane Austen’s house in the scenic Hampshire countryside, her writing desk which is on show in Southampton, the The Jane Austen Country Fair in Steventon, and Winchester Cathedral (pictured above), where she was laid to rest as particular highlights. The publication also recommends the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, which is ‘going all out’ to celebrate the author. You can dress head-to-toe in Regency era garb at the centre, or during Bath’s annual Austen fest which will take place from September 12-25 this year.
Even if you’re not a huge literary fan, there’s plenty to love about these spots, especially Bath and Winchester, both of which are known for their beauty and historical significance.
If you’re still not convinced, you can have a look at the rest of the NYT’s picks for the best places to go this year here (there are 52 in total). Be warned though: no others have any connection whatsoever to Colin Firth.
ICYMI: Birmingham is officially one of Time Out’s best places to visit in Europe in 2025.
Plus: Devon is getting a stunning new country park
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