Two weeks to go until Jane Austen’s travelling writing desk goes on display in Southampton kicking off city-wide programme of events marking 250^th anniversary year

The desk will be the centrepiece of a fascinating exhibition where fans will be able to see up close where the author penned early drafts of some of her now internationally famous novels.

Launching on Friday, November 15th, the exhibition, celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth next year, brings one of the most famous writing desks in the world to God’s House Tower. The exhibition will run for three months ending on the 23rd of February 2025.

It marks the start of a city-wide programme of events to celebrate the anniversary year that will include opportunities for local communities to get involved through workshops, creative commissions and activities.

‘a space’ arts has worked with Southampton Forward to secure the desk on loan from the British Library. The loan is supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund.  Created by the Garfield Weston Foundation and Art Fund, the Weston Loan Programme is the first ever UK-wide funding scheme to enable smaller and local authority museums to borrow works of art and artefacts from national collections.

Sophia Weston, Deputy Chair of the Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “The Weston Loan Programme empowers regional organisations to bring fascinating art and objects to local audiences. This exhibition in Southampton, which celebrates the city’s connections with one of Britain’s best loved authors, is a great example of the kind of ambitious partnership working we created the programme to support.”

One of the most famous British authors, Jane Austen’s strong connections to the south of England – Hampshire and Bath in particular – have been well publicised, but the authors’ links with Southampton are lesser known. Austen was sent to school in Southampton when she was 7 years old and visited several more times before living in the city in her early 30s.

‘a space’ arts manage God’s House Tower, the award-winning flagship arts and heritage venue located in Southampton’s historic Old Town. Through capital investment, an ambitious programme of exhibitions and artist commissions, ‘a space’ have re-animated the 13th century heritage building with support from Southampton City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. Their partnership with Southampton Forward on this project means that God’s House Tower has gained national loan accreditation status, supported by Southampton City Council’s Culture team, opening up future opportunities to borrow important works from national collections.

Dan Crow, Director of ‘a space’ arts, said: “We are thrilled to host the travelling writing desk and look forward to producing an exhibition that will launch a city-wide programme of events and activities to mark Jane’s 250th birthday. This is a fantastic opportunity for ‘a space’, our team and award-winning venue GHT, to expand our knowledge, reach new audiences and gain international exposure”.

‘a space’ is working closely with Southampton Forward on this project, an independent charity that works in partnership across the city to enhance the cultural and economic impact of Southampton.

Claire Whitaker, CEO of Southampton Forward, said: “This is a great opportunity for the city. The return of Jane Austen’s desk to Southampton marks the first in a series of events which celebrate ‘Jane Austen 250’, which is part of a regional programme. These events will celebrate Jane Austen’s deep ties to Southampton, invite different perspectives of her life and literary works and explore her writing through a contemporary lens”.

From November the desk will be exhibited in The Barker Mill Project Space, with Contemporary sculptor Jocelyn McGregor filling GHT’s main gallery with her commission ’No Notion of Loving by Halves’.

For more information about the Jane Austen exhibition visit: godshousetower.co.uk

To check in on further plans for Jane Austen 250 visit: visitsouthampton.co.uk/janeausten250