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Visit the home of Jane Austen and explore her life through music, talks and readings during an exclusive short break with Saga Holidays, on September 11, 2017.

On this special interest holiday to mark the 200th anniversary of the author’s death, guests can visit the house where she lived for the last eight years of her life.

The charming property, beside the village green at Chawton, in Hampshire, is now the ‘Jane Austen's House Museum’ and it was here she completed her novels Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility and Emma.

Saga guests can tour the museum and lovely gardens to imagine how Jane and her sister Cassandra lived in the quintessential English village during the early 19th century.

Original artefacts in the museum include Jane’s tiny turquoise and gold ring that was recently acquired by the museum. It is now on display with the only other two pieces of jewellery owned by the writer; a turquoise beaded bracelet and a topaz cross.

A full day’s tour also includes a visit to Winchester Cathedral where Jane is buried in the north aisle and is remembered as one of English literature's most celebrated authors.

A soundtrack of Jane Austen’s life and novels is another unique feature of this holiday with concert pianist Jean Phillips, together with soprano Ruth Gomme, honouring the author’s work through music and readings, plus two talks by Penelope Byrde, former curator of the Bath's Fashion Museum, on the subject of Jane Austen's family and 19th century costume.

Guests stay on a half-board basis at the Queens Hotel, in the elegant East Cliff area of Bournemouth, a short walk from the town centre and beach.

ENDS

Visit saga.co.uk/specialinterests or call Freephone 0800 300 500

Four nights from £479 departing on September 11, 2017. Price includes half-board accommodation, four in-house concerts, two talks, excursion to Winchester Cathedral and Jane Austen's House Museum, music host and Saga representative, welcome drink, porterage at hotel and cancellation rights.

Editors:

Biographies of musical hosts and guest speaker

Jean Phillips
Jean is a concert pianist, harpsichordist, lecturer and writer and was a junior and senior exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music. She now specialises in playing period keyboard instruments as well as being a ‘Steinway Artist’. Her concerts include work for the National Trust and Finchcocks Musical Museum.

Ruth Gomme
Soprano Ruth Gomme studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has a particular interest in baroque and classical works. She has sung with The Monteverdi Choir, The Sixteen and the English Concert.

Penelope Byrde
Author and lecturer Penelope was Curator at Bath's Museum of Costume & Fashion Research Centre (now known as the Fashion Museum, Bath) for almost 30 years before her retirement in 2002. She is an Associate Lecturer at Central St Martins, University of the Arts, London. Penelope's books on the history of fashion include Jane Austen Fashion and Nineteenth Century Fashion.

For more information contact PR Manager Naomi Thornton Email naomi.thornton@saga.co.uk or call 01303 772499

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