‘April’ is full of rain showers, umbrellas, muddy walks and romantic meetings. We celebrate Reverend and Mrs Austen's wedding day and Jane's passionate letter to the Prince Regent's Librarian in which she declares 'I must keep to my own style & go on in my own Way'. We examine a pair of Regency pattens and Frank Austen's handwritten Memoir. We take countless wet walks in Bath, Hartfield and Netherfield, and we finish with perhaps the most famous scene in all of Jane Austen's writings - a certain proposal, taking place in the small parlour at Hunsford Parsonage...

A Jane Austen Year transports you to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, the idyllic Hampshire cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote her globally beloved novels – now a beloved museum.

Each month, join us on a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in. Discover scenes, letters, recipes, and objects from the museum collection, bound together with readings and sounds recorded in the House itself.

Each episode is recorded by the people who work at Jane Austen’s House, caring for this special place and protecting it for future generations.

‘April’ was voiced by: Lizzie Dunford, Jenny Durrant, Jessica Halmshaw, Julia McLeod, Emma Moffatt, Sophie Reynolds, Rebecca Wood, with a guest appearance by Dominic Gerrard.

Find out more about some of the objects featured in this episode:
Album of sketches by Admiral Sir Francis Austen and Cassandra Eliza Austen
Manuscript memoir of Admiral Sir Francis Austen
Letter from Jane Austen to Rev. James Stanier Clarke, 1 April 1816
Pair of pattens

Episode website
https://janeaustens.house/news/podcast/

Script: Sophie Reynolds
Cover Artwork:Jessica Halmshaw
Sound & Original Music: Dominic Gerrard

This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our new book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories - now available wherever you get your books!

Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.

This series was written and recorded at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday in 2025.

If you enjoyed it, we think you’d also love our book A Jane Austen Year – a gorgeous coffee table book full of pictures, extracts and stories.

Every purchase supports our work, caring for and preserving Jane Austen’s House for future generations.