insideKENT Magazine Issue 32 - November 2014 | Page 106

DAYSOUT

The Jane Austen Walk,
TONBRIDGE
Retrace the steps of the Austen family on this 2.4-mile circular walk through historic
Tonbridge. Jane Austen was born in 1775 at Steventon in Hampshire to George and
Cassandra Austen. George’s family had many links to Kent and Tonbridge in particular.
Discover the school Jane’s father attended and where he taught, and step into the
church where the Austens worshipped.

Set up in 1882, Tonbridge Library was one of the
very first public libraries in the country. Drop in
and you’ll find a wealth of information about Jane
Austen and links to the town.
Turn left as you leave the library and cross
the road to continue along the pavement. Take
the first turning on the right and you’ll be led over
the bridge and into the magnificent 19th-century
park, once Tonbridge Racecourse. Follow the
path on your left around the park. In Jane Austen’
s
day this park would have been part of the Castle
Estate.
Passing the swimming pool, cross the
bridge into the Castle grounds and turn right to
follow the path up the hill towards the grand
Castle Gatehouse. In 1763 George Austen’s
cousin, the Revd Henry Austen married into the
Hooker family, the owners of Tonbridge Castle.
This impressive castle was built at the time of
the Norman Conquest.

Your walk travels through the rose garden
and along Bank Street, passing the