Retrace the footsteps of Austen and her characters

Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to Lyme Regis, first arriving in 1803 when she was 29. She stayed in a seafront cottage (still in existence) where she wrote Persuasion, setting part of the novel in the town. Austen fans can see and climb the steep steps, known as Granny’s Teeth, where her character Louisa Musgrove fell. The BBC’s film of Persuasion released in 1995 was partly filmed in Lyme Regis.

Another visitor to the town was Beatrix Potter and some of her watercolour illustrations for Little Pig Robinson were based on her views of the town.

In 1969 the renowned author John Fowles wrote the novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman which received international acclaim. Fowles and his wife Elizabeth moved to the secluded Underhill Farm, Lyme Regis in 1965. In 1980, part of the town underwent a transformation for the filming of the novel – the film starred Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons and featured dozens of locals as extras.

You can retrace the footsteps of Austen and her characters on the The Jane Austen Tours run by Natalie Manifold. You can also follow the French Lieutenant’s Woman across the cliffs to the former home of John Fowles, Underhill Farm, where he wrote and set his novel. Situated in complete isolation, his beautiful farmhouse was the perfect writer’s retreat. Wander around the grounds of Underhill, hearing extracts from his novel and diaries.

The Austen and Fowles Tours operate throughout the year and discounts are available for a combined booking. Visit Natalie’s website for more details.

www.devonanddorsetcottages.co.uk