UK celebrates 250 years of Jane Austen with year-long exhibition

The exhibition 'Austenmania!' is taking place for a year at Jane Austen's birthplace in Chawton, Hampshire, to mark her 250th birthday. Backed by De Montfort University and the BBC, it showcases four adaptations from 1995: 'Pride and Prejudice' (starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle), 'Sense and Sensibility' (with Emma Thompson), 'Persuasion' (featuring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds), and 'Clueless'. The displays include scripts, production notes, and reviews from the era. Attendees can purchase bonnets and dolls, participate in guided tours, and attend readings, along with the exhibition 'Jane Austen and the Art of Writing'. The Jane Austen Trail links Chawton to Alton, with notable sites in Winchester, while Bath will host the Jane Austen Festival from September 12 to 21, featuring a Grand Regency Costumed Promenade.