Tuesday 24 April 2012

Jane Austen`s Corner of Winchester





In this house, not far from Winchester  Cathedral, the novelist Jane Austen died.
She had been ill for some time and had been growing weaker. It is thought that she may have had Addison`s Disease or maybe a cancer of the lymphatic system. She had come to stay in rented rooms, under the care of her sister Cassandra, to be treated by the city`s best doctors. Sadly, her illness was incurable.




A view down College Street, showing the house where Jane died on the right and the buildings of the fee paying public school, Winchester College, beyond it.




Opposite the house are the walled gardens of grand buildings. This magnolia tree was in full, glorious blossom on the March afternoon of our visit.




Around the corner from College Street. In the wall of the former post office on the left, there is an interesting red Victorian letter box.


Gateways in the city wall that lead to the Cathedral. This may have been the route taken on Jane Austen`s final journey to her burial place in Winchester Cathedral.



7 comments:

angryparsnip said...

Lovely.
I am a bit surprised that there are Magnolia trees. I always associate them with the southern humid/warm states in America. What a beautiful tree and view.

cheers, parsnip

Rowan said...

I remember seeing the house where Jane Austen died. There is so much to see and do in Winchester, I love the sense of history that you get as you walk around the streets.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Beautiful pictures DW. When I was younger I had an aim to visit all the cathedrals - I managed quite a few but not Winchester, so I have enjoyed this post very much - and the previous one which I have just read.

Ragged Robin said...

Lovely photos and really interesting to see the house where Jane Austen died. I loved the post on Winchester Cathedral too - a wonderful place to visit.

Down by the sea said...

I bever realised how much there was too see in Winchester, thank you very much for the last 3 interesting posts. I have also loved Jane Austin's books since a teenager.
Sarah

Leanne said...

great photos DW! I havent been to Winchester for a long time, this makes me want to go again!

Leanne x
talesofsimpledays.blogspot.com

Morning's Minion said...

I've enjoyed your several Winchester posts at a single reading. As always, I am in awe of the grandeur of architecture in these old buildings. One must feel dwarfed in the cathedral.
Trying to recall if I've read any Jane Austin since high school required reading along with the Brontes. I should revisit Jane.