New trails celebrating Jane Austen's heritage have been launched in Overton.
The Overton Jane Austen Trails were officially launched by the Deputy Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Colin Phillimore, to the local community on Saturday, September 7.
The trails aim to celebrate Overton’s heritage and place the village on the Jane Austen map ahead of the 250th anniversary of her birth in 2025.
The Overton Jane Austen Trails highlight the village and surrounding areas known to and frequented by the author.
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Another, the Overton to Steventon Jane Austen Trail, offers a marked walking and cycling route to Steventon, Austen’s birthplace, passing locations familiar to Austen and her friends.
The project, managed by volunteers and supported by Overton Parish Council, aims to promote the health benefits of walking, attract visitors to Overton, and foster a sense of cultural pride.
The initiative received funding from Basingstoke and Deane’s Pride in Place Award, which is backed by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, in January 2024.
The trails were first introduced to the local community during a weekend celebration from September 6 to 8, featuring talks, live music, readings, and a children’s trail.
The weekend began with a talk and recital of Austen’s music, followed by a guided walk.
Sunday saw the bells of St Mary’s Church ring a peal reminiscent of Austen’s time.
The Overton Jane Austen Trails received £15,836 through the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Pride in Place Fund.
The project will be nationally launched in 2025.
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