Grinnellian Adventures: Jane Austen’s World
June 12–23, 2027
Dear Grinnell College alumni and friends,
Journey back in time with English department faculty Carolyn Jacobson and Erik Simpson as you enter Jane Austen’s World, exploring her Town, Country & Sea that inspired her novels. This custom-designed itinerary is not only for Jane Austen enthusiasts but for admirers of history and the charm of the English countryside alike.
We begin by delving into Jane Austen’s Town with London, visiting the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery, both of which host historically significant collections of artwork. Exploration of Town life would not be complete without visits to Winchester and Bath. While in Winchester, we visit Winchester Cathedral, where we can see Jane Austen’s gravesite. We settle in Bath for five nights, “to see, be seen, and take the waters,” like the Elliots and the Musgroves. We will take a promenade and familiarize ourselves with the city’s beau monde. We will explore the impressive Roman Baths, commonly visited for their healing qualities, and visit Bath Abbey, renowned for its Gothic architecture.
As we delve into Austen’s Country, we head to Chawton with a visit to Jane’s house, a Hampshire cottage that is now a museum, where the magic of the Bennet sisters and their adventures (sometimes scandalous) come alive. We will stroll through the gardens as if we were characters in Jane Austen’s novels; immerse ourselves in libraries with first-edition novels; and visit cathedrals, being sure to avoid Mr. William Collins.
Jane Austen’s Sea reflected English trade, colonialism, as well as recreation during her time. To gain a better understanding, we visit Greenwich, once a crucial port that now has excellent museums and sites like the Old Royal Naval College. We spend a day in Brighton, the glamorous and scandalous resort town that hosted a “campful of soldiers”; and a day in Lyme Regis hunting for ammonites along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There may be time to stroll along “The Walk,” but we must be mindful not to lose our footing on the steps because Captain Wentworth will not be there to catch us!
Traveling round-trip from London, our small group will be accompanied by a dedicated tour manager/local guide for what is sure to be a wonderful time of learning and camaraderie. This program is limited to 20 guests, so please reserve your spot immediately by contacting Eos Study Tours, the specialty tour operator who has worked closely with your faculty leaders Drs. Jacobson and Simpson in designing this program. Email grinnell@studytours.org or call toll-free (800) 856-8951.
Sincerely,
Jayn Bailey Chaney ’05
Assistant Vice President of Alumni and Donor Relations
View the brochure or make your reservation
Faculty Leader
Carolyn Jacobson, Senior Lecturer and Erik Simpson, Samuel R. and Marie-Louise Rosenthal Professor of Humanities
Carolyn Jacobson and Erik Simpson met in English graduate school—not exactly a Jane Austen plot, but they do both love sharing Austen’s novels with their students. They each specialize in British literature: Erik is a Romanticist, covering the time of Jane Austen’s life and career, whereas Carolyn focuses on the Victorian period, when Austen became an increasingly popular literary icon.Their research and teaching have often taken them to England—individually, as a family, and with students.
Carolyn teaches 18th- and 19th-century British literature, with an increasing emphasis on
illustration. Guiding students through the 1,000 pages of Dickens’s Bleak House is always a highlight of her Victorian seminar. Erik’s classes have branched out into digital methods and the history of the book, but last year he returned home to Romanticism with a new seminar devoted to reading all of Austen’s novels.
In their research, Carolyn and Erik have collaborated on a series of articles about literary representations of dialect speech in the works of authors including Bram Stoker and George Bernard Shaw. Carolyn has been leading teams of Grinnell students in a sustained analysis of a jewel of Grinnell’s Special Collections: a first edition of John Forster’s Life of Charles Dickens to which over 1,200 illustrations and letters have been added by a previous owner. Erik is currently investigating how British writers of the early 19th century indicated the distinctive speech of the United States. (Ask him about the word “tarnation”!)
Back to top
Itinerary — June 12–23, 2027
View the brochure or make your reservation
B=breakfast, T=tea, L=lunch, R=reception, D=dinner
Saturday, June 12, 2027: Depart home
Sunday, June 13: Arrive in London | Victoria and Albert Museum (optional) | Welcome reception
Arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), where you will be met and transferred as a group (time TBD) to Central London. Spend the balance of the day at leisure or visit the Victoria and Albert Museum with Professors Jacobson and Simpson, a short 10-minute walk from our hotel. This evening we gather for a welcome reception. Two nights at the 5-star 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel. (R)
Monday, June 14: London: National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery | Welcome dinner
After breakfast we visit the National Portrait Gallery, where we will see historically significant figures relating to British history and culture. After an independent lunch, perhaps at Café in the Crypt, a fun and wonderful hidden gem in the crypt at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, we gather to visit the National Gallery for a self-guided tour. The Gallery houses one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings from the late 13th to the early 20th centuries. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Tuesday, June 15: London: River Thames Cruise, Old Royal Naval College, National Maritime Museum (optional), The Royal Observatory
We check out of our Central London hotel this morning and make our way to our hotel in Greenwich, London, via the River Thames. Today, we experience some of the maritime life that would have been present during Jane’s life and influenced her novels. First, we enjoy a cruise up the River Thames and dock in Greenwich, welcomed by the masts of Cutty Sark giving us the feel of the naval stronghold it once was. Next, we visit the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, featuring Baroque walls and ceilings covered in striking images depicting kings, queens, and mythological creatures. After an independent lunch there will be free time, during which you might choose to explore the National Maritime Museum with its large collection of archival materials and personal artefacts directly related to Ms. Austen’s time. We conclude our day with a visit to The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time. The Museum’s collections include materials illustrating 18th- and 19th-century science and exploration. We check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich hotel. (B,D)
Wednesday, June 16: Brighton: Royal Pavilion, Afternoon tea | Winchester
We depart Greenwich for Winchester, stopping along the way in Brighton, the glamorous and scandalous resort town a few of the Bennet sisters were obsessed with because of its “campful of soldiers.” We stop at the Royal Pavilion, one of the UK’s most iconic architectural landmarks and the former seaside palace of King George IV, and explore the Regency splendor of its gardens. Perhaps we will hear the whispered secrets of royalty past as we enjoy a Regency Afternoon Tea in the Adelaide Suite of the palace. Before continuing to Winchester, enjoy time at leisure to explore the pier and Brighton Beach, making sure not to become part of a scandal amongst “the Ton.” Upon arrival, we check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Voco Winchester Hotel & Spa. (B,T,D)
No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath
Thursday, June 17: Chawton: Jane Austen’s House, Chawton House | Winchester Cathedral | Bath
This morning we check out of our hotel and begin our journey to Bath. First, we drive to Chawton to explore Jane Austen’s House, the most treasured Austen site in the world. Jane Austen’s six completed novels were written here, and the first edition copies reside here. Then, just down the road we visit Chawton House, which once belonged to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward, and it was the “Great House” referred to in many of Jane’s letters. The library’s collection of books focuses on women’s literature in English, holding some of the only known surviving copies of their works. Next, we stop at Winchester Cathedral, one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe, where we can see Jane Austen’s gravesite, whose marker, famously, does not mention her writing. Time permitting, we can explore Winchester City Mill, the oldest working mill in Britain. We continue on to Bath, where we check-in to our hotel and gather for dinner this evening. Five nights at the 4-star Abbey Hotel Bath. (B,D)
Friday, June 18: Bath: Walking tour, The Jane Austen Centre, No. 1 Royal Crescent
This morning we enter the world of Bath, the only city in the United Kingdom designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We walk in the footsteps of Jane Austen’s characters as we take a walking tour of the compact city center, a wellness destination since Roman times. After an independent lunch, we visit The Jane Austen Centre, an interactive museum focusing on the life and works of Jane Austen, as well as the Regency period. We conclude our day with a step back in time to the 18th century and enjoy a self-guided visit of No. 1 Royal Crescent, a museum showcasing life in Georgian Bath. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. (B)
Saturday, June 19: Lyme Regis Fossil Beach
After breakfast we drive to Lyme Regis, a charming seaside town that is part of the Jurassic Coast natural UNESCO World Heritage Site “Dorset and the East Devon Coast.” We search for ammonites with an expert at Lyme Regis Fossil Beach, much like Mary Anning, pioneering paleontologist and fossil collector, did in the early 19th century. Lyme Regis is home to the Cobb, the place where Louisa Musgrove fell from the steps in Jane Austen’s novel, Persuasion. Enjoy an independent lunch and time on your own to explore Lyme Regis before we return to Bath for the balance of the day and dinner at leisure. (B)
Lyme Regis Fossil Beach
Sunday, June 20: Bath: Roman Baths, Bath Abbey
Today we continue our exploration of Bath with a visit to its impressive Roman Baths, once the site of one of the great religious spas of the ancient world, dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. The people of Roman Britain bathed here in the hot water of the natural thermal springs, which still flow today. Enjoy an independent lunch before we gather to visit Bath Abbey, renowned for its Gothic architecture, fan-vaulted ceiling, and 1,200 years of religious history. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. (B)
Monday, June 21: Day trip to Wales: Tintern Abbey, Chepstow Castle
This morning we take a day trip to Wales to explore Tintern Abbey, a roofless example of 12th-century architectural splendor standing on the banks of the River Wye, which shows up in Mansfield Park as an engraving in Fanny Price’s bedroom. After a group lunch we visit Chepstow Castle, the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Although the castle and abbey are active places in Jane Austen novels, the area is believed to be the influence for Mansfield Park. Next, we drive back to Bath, where the balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. (B,L)
Tuesday, June 22: Wiltshire: Stourhead | Windsor: Farewell dinner
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart Bath and drive to Wiltshire, where we visit Stourhead house and gardens. When Stourhead first opened in the 1740s, it was described as ‘a living work of art’. The Palladian house is set amid well-manicured lawns and extensive parkland. The centerpiece of the garden is a lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes, and rare and exotic trees. After an independent lunch, we continue to Windsor and check-in to our hotel. Gather for a farewell dinner this evening. Overnight at the 4-star Macdonald Windsor Hotel. (B,D)
Wednesday, June 23: Fly home
Transfer this morning to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) for flights homeward. (B)
Back to top
Pricing
- $8,695 per person - double occupancy (18-20 participants)
- $9,245 per person - double occupancy (16-17 participants)
- $2,145 single supplement
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability). With fewer than 16 participants, a small group surcharge may be applied.
Price Includes
- Grinnell faculty leaders Carolyn Jacobson & Erik Simpson, and an expert local tour manager/guide
- Group arrival and departure airport transfers on program dates
- Ten nights in conveniently located, 4- and 5-star hotels
- Delicious meals: Breakfast daily, one lunch, an afternoon tea, and five dinners. Welcome reception and dinner and farewell dinner include a choice of a soft drink, beer, or wine. All meals include water and coffee/tea.
- All ground transportation by a private, air-conditioned vehicle, including Wi-Fi. Limited bottled water will be provided, and
access to water for refillable bottles will be available and encouraged throughout the day.
- All gratuities for the local tour manager/guide, drivers, hotel staff, servers for all included meals, and porters
- Baggage handling (one piece per person) at the hotels
- Entrance fees as per program, and all VAT and local taxes
- Personal listening audio devices for use during guided excursions
- Comprehensive pre-departure information, including a suggested reading/media guide, travel guide, and packing list
Price does not include
- Airfare from/to home
- Passport and visa fees
- All airport fees and departure taxes
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) application and fee
- Private airport transfers
- Cost of personal, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance
- Transportation of excess baggage
- Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
- All items of a personal nature such as medical expenses, laundry, taxi, room service, telephone/fax/Wi-Fi charges
- Alcoholic or other beverages except as noted
- Optional excursions or deviations from scheduled tour
- ...and other items not listed as included.
Additional Notes
Prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates, the price of fuel, services, and labor may increase the cost of arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices.
Prices, itinerary, accommodations, and leaders are subject to change. Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate. It is understood that refunds cannot be made to participants who do not complete the tour for whatever reason. Complete terms and conditions are available upon confirmation or upon request.
Back to top
View the brochure or make your reservation
FAQ
Who is invited to join this trip?
All Grinnellians are warmly invited! A Grinnellian can be an alum, a family member of an alum, and/or anyone who supports the College. We also welcome your guests - they do not need to be alums.
What can I expect on the trip?
“One of the special elements of this trip is that we’ll be seeing such a range of locations in England and Wales. We’ll visit places where Jane Austen lived and wrote—the classic English countryside that people associate most closely with Austen. Just as importantly, however, we’ll see other places that help us understand Austen’s world more broadly: central London, the shipping and naval hub of Greenwich, the seaside of Brighton, the romantic landscape of the Wye valley in Wales. Our itinerary will help us focus on Austen while also expanding our imaginations into the artistic movements, social dynamics, and global connections of 19th-century Britain.”
—Erik Simpson
What are the physical requirements?
Please ensure that your are physically and mentally fit to travel unassisted. This includes being able to:
- Walk two or more miles per day, including on uneven services
- Go up and down steps and inclines, which may not have handrails
- Stand for periods of time
- Carry personal bags and luggage independently
Some sites require strenuous and/or brisk walking or climbing, sometimes with difficult footing. Participants who are not able to walk or stand unassisted for extended periods are kindly advised not to join this tour. All participants are expected to be physically active and not be an impediment to others on excursions, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences. All participants will be required to follow safety/sanitization protocols set forth by Sponsors/Operator, local staff, and host country laws.
Any participant showing signs of illness will be asked to wear a mask when in close proximity to others. If the tour manager decides that a participant cannot visit a site safely or in a timely manner, their judgment will be final. Where possible, an alternate activity may be suggested; additional costs may apply.
What weather should I expect during this trip?
The average temperatures for the majority of our visit should range from the mid-50s F at night to the high 60s F during the day. While in London, expect the temperatures to be slightly warmer, reaching into the low 70s F. There is always a chance for moderate rainfall, so participants should come prepared for pleasant but potentially wet weather.
Who is organizing and supporting this trip?
Grinnell College has contracted Eos Study Tours to provide expert organization and support for this adventure. A staff member from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations will also travel with the group to assist guests and the faculty leader throughout the journey.
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is optional but recommended as with any travel adventure. You may purchase coverage through the provider of your choice.
May I bring a guest?
Yes! Grinnellians are welcome to bring guests. Your guest does not need to be an alum.
What if I need assistance during the trip?
A Grinnell College staff member will be on the trip to provide support to guests and our faculty leaders. You will always have someone to turn to if you need assistance at any point.
Questions?
Contact Guinevere Natarelli, associate director of alumni and donor relations, at wallacegu@grinnell.edu or call 641-269-4633.
Back to top