Jane Austen garden features flowers from her books

Local councillors met with members of the Jane Austen Regency Week Committee to look around the garden

A Regency-style garden in memory of the author Jane Austen has opened.

The garden, which includes flowers mentioned in her books and charity roses named after her, has been created on the High Street in Alton.

Austen, who lived most of her life in Hampshire, is one of English literature's most celebrated authors.

"It's sure to bring in Austen fans from around the world," said councillor Robert Mocatta from East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), which partly funded the garden.

Two "carriage benches", designed to recall the wheels of a horse-drawn carriage, have been installed

The project was run by Alton Town Council and the garden received just over £45,000 from EHDC's Rural Grants fund.

The garden also includes two "carriage benches", designed to recall the wheels of a horse-drawn carriage.

Mr Mocatta, EHDC’s portfolio holder for regeneration and prosperity, said: “You can really imagine Jane Austen enjoying the flowers and plants and it’s situated on a High Street in Alton which she would have visited many times."

The garden includes flowers mentioned in Austen's books and charity roses named after her and her home in Chawton

A bronze statue is also being created to sit in the garden to celebrate Austen's 250th birthday and will be unveiled at Alton's Regency Day on 21 June 2025.

Nearby Chawton is home to Jane Austen House Museum where Austen lived from 1809, until her death in 1817.

The building is where she completed her novels, including Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and Emma.