Tucked beside the Headmaster's House of Winchester College is an unobtrusive mustard-coloured building. If not for the blue plaque above the door it would be easy to pass by this ordinary dwelling. It was here that the celebrated Regency novelist, Jane Austen spent the last few weeks of her life. Austen dwelt at nearby Chawton for several years, but in 1817 her health began to fail and she came to Winchester with her sister Cassandra to receive better medical care. It was a forlorn hope, and on July 18, 1817, Jane Austen died, and was buried at nearby Winchester Cathedral. Jane Austen's house is now let as a private home, and there is no visitor access.

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