Jane Austen 250

2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and we're preparing for some exciting events, activities, experiences and travel-related packages across the destination.

Jane Austen has long been associated with rural England, where she set many of her iconic novels. Among the counties she frequently visited and drew inspiration from, Derbyshire holds a particularly special place. With its picturesque landscapes, grand estates, and charming villages, Derbyshire provided the perfect backdrop for much of the atmosphere and settings in Austen's works.

Austen visited Derbyshire numerous times and the area has a host of links to the famous author, in her best-loved novel Pride and Prejudice, she wrote there is ‘no finer county in England than Derbyshire’. The market town of Bakewell is believed to have inspired Lambton, Chatsworth inspired Mr Darcy's home of Pemberley, and Stanage Edge featured in one of the 2005 film's most iconic scenes starring Keira Knightley.

Today, Derbyshire continues to celebrate its literary connection to Jane Austen. Our market towns, stately homes, and landscapes are a must for those who wish to walk in the footsteps of Austen’s characters - explore Chatsworth and discover other locations like Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall also echo the architectural grandeur that Austen described in her novels.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of her birth, her connection to Derbyshire serves as a reminder of how deeply the English countryside influenced her writing and how it continues to inspire us. For any Austen fan, a visit to Derbyshire is not just a journey through beautiful scenery but a step into the heart of the world that shaped some of the most enduring stories in English literature.

As part of the 250^th anniversary celebrations, many iconic Jane Austen locations across Derbyshire and the Peak District will be holding special events, exhibitions, and openings for Jane Austen fans to visit and enjoy.