Jane Austen Tonbridge walk

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Explore the family connections of one of England’s best loved authors Jane Austen. This stile free walk, suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, will take you on a literary journey through the heart of beautiful Tonbridge.

Jane Austen was born on December 16 1775, to George and Cassandra Austen. George’s family had many links to Kent, and to Tonbridge in particular. This walk will take you to places known to be connected to the Austen family.

Starting and ending at the library, the walk will take you past buildings and landscape, some of which would still be recognised by the Austens today. There is plenty of opportunity to stop off for some well earned refreshments or something more substantial at several points throughout the walk.

You’ll walk through the gatehouse at Tonbridge Castle as well as a number of family homes of the Austens’ found near or on the High Street. You’ll also walk past Tonbridge School, one of the leading boys boarding schools in the country where George Austen (Jane Austen’s father) was a pupil and later taught.

If you’re here for the history the parish church of St Peter and St Paul where many of the family worshipped, is a must do on your visit as some of the Austen family are buried here including her grand parents William Austen and his first wife Rebecca. Susanna his second wife who outlived him is also buried here.

This walk is one of Explore Kent’s stile free routes.

Stile free routes are suitable for a wide range of users including those in mobility scooters and families with younger children. Please be mindful that these stile free routes are located in the countryside and the path surfaces can be adversely affected by poor weather conditions. Certain routes may be better suited for wheelchairs with wider wheels, as they can handle the terrain more easily compared to other wheelchairs. We encourage you to read about the trails, and to assess them if you feel confident in completing them yourself.

Click on the “Start & end” button on the map below to see the location of the walk.