You may remember my post from last year where I attended the launch of the Overton Jane Austen Trails. We have been blessed with gorgeous, sunny weather this spring, and what a better opportunity than to do some walking tours in Jane Austen country, and I decided finally to give the Overton trails a go.
The Overton trails were created by a dedicated and enthusiastic group of local volunteers who were keen to bring Overton to the Jane Austen map. Little known as a Jane Austen destination, the Overton trails have already brought many tourists to the area, fascinated by the village's connection to the great author. In fact, Overton is where the closest post office to Steventon was located, and local residents are proud of the fact that Jane's letters from Steventon were postmarked Overton.
There are three trails: a shorter, two-and-a-half-mile walking trail of Overton, a longer, 9-mile walking trail from Overton to Steventon and a 12-mile cycle trail. This time, I decided to do the shorter trail around Overton, re-visiting some of the places that I saw on my earlier visit to Overton and to learn about unfamiliar places along the trail too. Beautifully illustrated by the artist Jo South, the guide turned out to be very informative and a great way to learn about this beautiful village and explore hidden pockets along the way. It was wonderful to see others walking around with leaflets along the way!
I started the trail from the Overton Community Centre (above), which is built on the site of a Georgian coaching inn called the New Inn. The building now houses a library as well.
On the library wall, there is a Trafalgar Way plaque commemorating the 5th November 1805 when Lieutenant Lapenotiere stopped here to change horses for his post-chaise on his way to London to bring news about the victory in the Battle of Trafalgar and Nelson's death. As you can see on the plaque, his journey from Falmouth to London took 37 hours and he changed horses 21 times! Not a particularly fast way to deliver news.
The Community Centre is situated on Winchester Street, which was built for markets and fairs and had the best sheep fairs of the region. Jane visited some shops here, as I mentioned in my previous post, buying stockings and shifts.
At the corner of Winchester Street and High Street is the White Hart (left), which was also a busy coaching inn during Jane Austen's times when mail coaches between London and Exeter would stop here.
I then turned onto High Street and admired the Georgian style buildings on the way (above).
Down the road, you can see another pub called the Red Lion (above). The Prince of Wales (later the Prince Regent), whom Jane despised but to whom she dedicated Emma at his invitation, stopped at the Red Lion during a hunting trip in 1789.
Next, I turned to Bridge Street where there were several pretty thatched cottages from the 1700s.
At the end of the street after crossing a small bridge, I saw the Old Rectory (familiar from my previous visit), which used to be Overton Vicarage and the home of Jane's oldest brother, James, from 1790-1792 when he was curate at Overton. The house looks Victorian and must have been rebuilt at some stage.
Across the road is a stunning property called Court House where James Austen lived after his marriage to his first wife Ann Mathew who sadly died young. This was a very grand house for a young country curate, and Jane must have enjoyed her visits here.
The Overton Trails team have created some information boards for visitors here, which are informative and interesting for tourists to see and learn more about the local area and its connection to Jane Austen. You can pick up a trail from here as well as from local shops.
I continued up Court Drove and then turned onto a lush, green lane called Silk Mill Lane.
There is another mill down the lane in a gorgeous property by the river called Southington Mill, which was leased by the Portal family, whom Jane mentions in several of her letters. She mentions meeting the Portals at a ball (where she danced with Tom Lefroy) in 1796, and I think that Jane was quite taken by Benjamin Portal, or at least she describes him in a flattering way to Cassandra: "We had a visit yesterday morning from Mr. Benjamin Portal, whose eyes are as handsome as ever". Later, in 1799, she writes, "Benjamin Portal is here. How charming that is!"
.HEIC)
I continued back onto the main road and saw the Parsonage Farmhouse, which was the official residence of the Rector when he was in Overton. The rector's son, Richard Buller, was one of Jane's father's pupils at Steventon and a close friend to Jane with whom she corresponded. "I have had a most affectionate letter from Buller", she writes in 1800.
I walked back into the village, passing Southington Cottage on the left. This building existed during Jane Austen's times.
Overton Jane Austen Trails Committee members Anna Thame and Noelle Gibbs in front of Southington Cottage.Surprisingly, at this point I had the privilege of bumping into the group of volunteers in charge of the trails, and it was lovely to meet the fellow Austenites behind this wonderful trail and chat about the places we have enjoyed along the trail.
Across the road, there is an early 18th century milestone showing 54 miles to London and 8 miles from Basingstoke.
I then walked up to Dellands Lane where there used to be a workhouse, which was built around 1800 to help the poor in this region. Many of the workhouse residents worked at the Silk Mill.
Rowan House (above), beautifully adorned with wisteria at this time of year, was where the Apothecary, Robert Brookham lived.
Yield House (above) is another 18th century house that would have been familiar to Jane.
I ended my circular trail back at the Overton crossroads by the Community Centre.
A huge thank you to the Overton Trails team who have worked so hard to produce this wonderful trail to bring Overton to the Jane Austen tourist map and to find the most scenic spots in the area with connections to Jane Austen! I look forward to doing the longer trail soon.
References and further information:
For quotes from Jane Austen's Letters, refer to: Le Faye, Deirdre. (2011) Jane Austen's Letters. Fourth Edition. OUP.
For downloads of the Overton trails, visit here: https://overtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/overton-jane-austen-trails/
To listen to the Overton trails podcast. visit here: https://janeaustensociety.org.uk/2025/04/the-overton-jane-austen-trails-group/
To read more about the area in my previous post: https://austenised.blogspot.com/2019/08/adventures-around-jane-austens.html
