Jane Austen Statues
A long overdue commemoration
For much of history, Jane Austen stood apart from other celebrated authors in one unique way—no statue had been erected in her honour.
That changed in 2017 when the first-ever statue of Austen was unveiled in Basingstoke, Hampshire, the county she called home for much of her life. Since that date, two more have appeared, going far to change this literary deficit. Now, three statues of Austen stand proudly in southern England, each symbolizing different aspects of her life and legacy: one in Basingstoke, one near Chawton, and one about to be unveiled at Winchester Cathedral.
The first major public statue of Jane Austen in England was unveiled in Basingstoke in 2017. The town where Jane spent her childhood and early years. The statue shows Jane walking through the marketplace with a book tucked under her arm, as if in deep thought.
While some critics initially debated whether Jane’s legacy was adequately captured, the statue has been generally embraced by locals and tourists alike. It quickly became a tourist favourite, with many taking photographs in front of the sculpture.
The life-sized bronze statue was created by sculptor Adam Roud, who envisioned Jane as a woman deeply connected to her thoughts. You can see that in her body language and the details of her Regency-era clothing. She has a serene expression and a slight tilt of the head, designed to reflect her quiet strength and intellect. The design incorporates a sense of movement, as if she were casually walking through the streets of the town.
A new bronze statue of Jane Austen now stands in a specially designed Regency-style Garden in Alton, Hampshire. The garden, which includes flowers mentioned in her books and charity roses named after her, has been created on the High Street. Jane spent her most prolific years just down the road in Chawton, walking the lanes to Alton to shop, visit friends, and post letters. Her brother Henry even ran a bank in the town.
Only recently unveiled as part of the town’s 2025 Regency Week celebrations, this statue is already attracting Austen enthusiasts from around the world.
The sculpture was created by artist Mark Coreth. His vision was to create a sculptural portrait standing 1.7m, as she was said to have been, on a plinth of her six greatest novels. The Assembly Rooms lawn was chosen for its connection to Jane’s life — she is facing in the direction of what was her brother’s bank, and many of the surrounding buildings still resemble those she would have known.
The newest and grandest statue will be unveiled at Winchester Cathedral in October 2025. Jane Austen’s grave in the cathedral is an important destination for many visitors to the area, although it doesn’t do justice to her life or even mention her literary legacy. This statue, positioned outside No. 9 in the Cathedral’s Inner Close, is intended to stand as a monumental tribute in the city where she spent her final days.
While the public response to the statue is yet to be seen, I remain hopeful that it will be met with widespread admiration.
Created by Martin Jennings, this statue is a life-sized bronze portrayal of Jane Austen. It captures her in a dynamic pose, as if she were engaged in an intellectual conversation or deep literary contemplation. Standing by her iconic writing table, Jane exudes authority and elegance, dressed in a classic Regency gown, with her ringlets and cap framing her face. Her serene yet animated expression reflects the passion she had for both her writing and the world she so vividly brought to life through her words.
These statues, each deeply connected to place, mark the enduring power of Austen’s work and the complexities of honouring a figure whose brilliance transcends time. As we mark 250 years since her birth, Jane Austen continues to inspire tributes that not only celebrate her genius but also provoke thoughtful dialogue about how best to remember her.
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