Discover the Stunning Filming Locations of BBC’s Miss Austen!

Isn’t it essential for the story not to lack the scenic beauty of the English countryside when it comes to Jane Austen’s narrative, isn’t that so?

Indeed, although “Miss Austen” doesn’t retell any of Jane Austen’s original works, it does delve into the imaginative enigma that surrounds the incineration of her letters by her sister Cassandra, providing an intriguing take on this lesser-known aspect of Austen’s life.

Starring Keeley Hawes as Cassandra, this production offers a glimpse into the lasting impact of Jane Austen’s literary contributions, delving into not just her work, but also the profound sibling connection and affection that endured within her family circle.

This four-part narrative spans two distinct time periods, exploring Cassandra as a mature individual on a quest to preserve her sister’s letters for protection, while simultaneously depicting Cassandra and her younger sister Jane navigating the ups and downs of adulthood during their youth.

Throughout the series, there are stunning scenes of the countryside, manor houses, and villages that Jane and Cassandra often visited together. However, where exactly was the filming of Miss Austen done? Keep reading for all the details.

Where was Miss Austen filmed?

Filming for Miss Austen kicked off in November 2023 and took place in London and southeast England.

According to the series’ main actor Synnøve Karlsen, the show features numerous magnificent houses, many of which were filmed in London, the British capital city.

During a chat with Country & Town House, she disclosed that we filmed in the vicinity of West London, close to Kew Gardens, as well as various historic estates scattered across London. These grand homes, mostly untouched, were almost like time capsules and included locations such as Kintbury and Godmersham Park. Isn’t it beautiful?

In addition to the grand estates, the storyline in parts follows the Austen family on their journey to Sidmouth. Although it was not actually filmed there, the picturesque town of Rye stood in for Devon during the filming of the drama.

In an interview for the series press kit, Karlsen commented about the sunny beach scenes: “We spent a week in the beautiful town of Rye, East Sussex. It was breathtakingly picturesque; Rye stood in for Sidmouth for us. We filmed on the sand dunes near Camber Sands and it was incredibly cold!

On one of our shooting days, it was about -5 degrees Celsius, yet we made an effort to appear relaxed while enjoying a ‘summer’-style picnic on the beach.

Just as Phyllis Logan, portraying Mrs. Austen, mentioned: “During our filming sessions, we visited Rye and it was delightful; we incorporated some of its cobblestone paths into the series, but walking on them was quite challenging for me in the footwear my character had to wear!

Apart from shooting indoors, we also captured scenes at Camber Sands beach during winter. The series is set in the peak of summer, yet there we were filming in January, feeling quite chilly indeed, though not to the point of freezing.

Mentioning Jane Austen’s final resting place, namely Chawton in Hampshire, is essential in any story about her. Interestingly, this very location was utilized for filming the series as well. Today, visitors can explore Chawton House, which also boasts a remarkable collection of women’s literature that is open to all.

After their father’s passing, a shift in living circumstances occurred as Jane, her sister Cassandra, and their mother moved from a spacious mansion to the more humble Chawton Cottage, marking a change in their pace of life.

Christine Langan, the executive producer, shared insights about the time period and settings: “Indeed, there was a phase in the sisters’ lives when they didn’t have a fixed abode. The dwellings we’ve depicted for them are modest, somewhat worn, and lack personal touch. It seems this era was marked by instability and unhappiness for Jane Austen.

In many of Jane’s stories, houses play a significant role, encompassing roots, significance, ambiance, and atmosphere. It appears that this phase of feeling adrift took a toll on both her health and productivity. The efforts made by Cassandra in finding them a permanent home were instrumental in helping Jane resume her writing.

Stella Merz, the producer, added: “It’s been discovered that Jane Austen didn’t work extensively on any of her novels while they were in transit between lodgings. It wasn’t until she moved to Chawton, where the Jane Austen Museum is located, and settled with Cassandra and her mother, that she had a dedicated space to write, which led to increased productivity.

Absolutely, the key moments in Cassandra’s story unfold primarily within the town of Kintbury, a place where she frequented the Fowle family home during her youthful days. In discussing the significance of Kintbury in the narrative, Langan stated: “The series has been meticulously researched, and it’s noteworthy that Gill Hornby, the author of Miss Austen, resides in Kintbury on the same grounds as the Old Rectory, which serves as our primary setting for the series.

Thirty years ago, Gill relocated there, which sparked her curiosity and academic pursuit into Jane’s life. She has also penned a non-fiction book about Jane as well.

Merz mentioned: “In both setting and style, many adaptations of Jane Austen often feature grand mansions, but this is too extravagant for the story we’re telling. In truth, Jane Austen and her family led a more middle-class life, so we’ve made an effort to find settings that match the proper scale.

2025-02-02 12:34

Where was Miss Austen filmed?

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