Bank of Henry Austen 

regional branch of austen, gray & vincent

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This was one of the regional banks where Henry was a partner, linked to his main London business of Austen, Maunde & Tilson, and a blue plaque marks the site today. 

Jane Austen's House also has a one-pound banknote that was issued here as part of its collection, which you can read more about on the museum website here. (link)

At the end of 1816, Austen, Gray & Vincent went bankrupt, having a knock-on effect in London that caused the end of Henry Austen's banking career.

Everyone in Henry's immediate family who had invested with him lost their money, and his brother, Edward, in particular, bore the brunt of much of Henry's debt for years to come.

St Lawrence's Church, Alton

where henry austen served as curate

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This church is where Frank and his family worshipped while living in Alton, and where many of his children were baptised.

After Jane Austen's death in 1817, Henry Austen was curate here for a several months, enabling him to stay close to his mother in Chawton and work with Cassandra to see Northanger Abbey and Persuasion published. 

Anna Austen's husband, Ben Lefroy, also served as a curate here around the same time, between 1817 and 1818.

Mr Curtis, the Apothecary

the man who treated jane austen in chawton

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Mr Curtis was the apothecary who treated the Austen family in Chawton. He attended Jane Austen during her final illness but was unable to make her better. It was under his guidance that Dr Lyford was called in from Winchester, to take over her final care.

market place

local market square

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Photo: Alton Marketplace and Town Hall

This Marketplace and Town Hall was built in 1813. An open market was held here each Saturday, selling agricultural produce, livestock and household goods. It was also a central point for public gatherings.

the swan hotel

coaching inn of the town

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Photo: The Swan Hotel, Alton

The Swan Hotel was one of the principal coaching inns at Alton. It was where people caught stagecoaches and sent and collected their post. It was also where the annual meetings were held for the Alton Book Society, of which Jane Austen was a member.

Jane Austen statue and regency garden

modern day tribute

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To commemorate the Jane Austen 250th anniversary celebrations in 2025, a bronze statue was unveiled in Alton during the town's Regency Week celebrations.

It was designed by sculptor, Mark Coreth, to show Jane Austen rising from her books and symbolising the enduring influence of her writing.

The statue is placed within a Regency-style garden, designed especially to reflect the plants mentioned in Jane Austen's letters and novels, and types of flowers named after her or her characters. There are also carriage-style benches within the garden, inspired by stagecoach wheels, for visitors to sit and reflect on the setting.

You can read more about the unveiling and Jane Austen's links to Alton on the Alton Town Council website here.

alton festival events

annual festival

There are many Regency-style events held in Alton throughout the year, with a large celebration in June for Jane Austen Regency Week. To keep up-to-date with what is happening, you can access the  website here. 

extract

If you would like to read an extract from The Austens of Chawton where the events take place in Alton, click here.