New discoveries in Longleat’s archives suggest that the iconic author Jane Austen may have been directly influenced by the Wiltshire estate when writing her beloved novels. The findings point to several connections between Longleat’s 18th-century customs and Austen’s works, revealing an unexpected family link to the estate.
As we mark the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, the newly uncovered documents show that the Regency-era practice of visiting grand country houses, as depicted in Pride and Prejudice, was thriving at Longleat. The estate’s 2nd Marquess was among the first to welcome local dignitaries and wealthy visitors to the property, with many encouraged to sign a daybook upon arrival.
Archivist Emma Challinor explains that this tradition mirrors the famous scene from the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, where Mr Darcy, portrayed by Colin Firth, emerges from the lake as Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) tours Pemberley. While Austen’s description of the house and grounds doesn’t quite match the television adaptation, it does feature a similar guided tour of the estate led by a senior servant, much like those at Longleat.
Interestingly, a recently discovered entry in Longleat’s daybook reveals that Austen’s nephew, Rev. J.E. Austen, signed in during his visit to the estate. He later penned the first major biography of Jane Austen in 1870, A Memoir of Jane Austen.
Challinor continues, “The 2nd Marquess of Bath, who inherited Longleat in 1796, was one of the first to open his gates and doors to visitors seeking a glimpse into the lives of the aristocracy. His guests would have experienced a similar tour as Austen’s heroines in the novels.”
Longleat was also linked to some of Austen’s characters through its grounds, which were a significant draw for visitors. The celebrated landscape gardener Humphry Repton created designs for the park, and one of his watercolours from 1804 features a group of picnickers at Prospect Hill, reminiscent of the Box Hill picnic scene in Emma.
Though there is no hard evidence to confirm that Austen ever visited Longleat herself, the estate’s influence on her novels is undeniable. Austen’s family owned a copy of Excursions from Bath, a guidebook that included a description of Longleat, and she was a regular visitor to the White Hart Inn in Bath, which she famously mentions in Persuasion.
A new invoice discovered in the archives also shows that the 2nd Marquess purchased a copy of Austen’s Mansfield Park in 1814, only a month after it was published. The Longleat libraries are home to first editions of several of Austen’s works, including Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice.
For those looking to explore the connection between Longleat and Austen, the estate now offers intimate guided tours of its libraries as part of the Library Tour experience. Self-guided tours of Longleat House are available starting 1 February, with guided tours of the house’s State Rooms also on offer.
