Hidden Britain Tours
Hidden Britain Tours
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Jane Austen Tours. Exclusive one day guided tour of where Jane Austen spent her first twenty five years. See the places where she danced, fell in love and the quiet valley where she wrote her first three novels. Trace the people she mentions in her letters in ancient village churches, lunch in a country inn and visit the house where she spent her last eight years, the Jane Austen House Museum at Chawton. Other Hampshire tours offered. A brilliant day out of London
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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5.0
402 reviews
Excellent
391
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10
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Kathy M
Sugar Land, TX.25 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
I went on this tour with Phil in 2022 and I highly recommend it. He was extremely informed on Jane Austen and more than happy to answer all my questions. He brought me to all of the fascinating Jane Austen sites and explained about them in detail, allowing ample time in each spot. This is an absolute MUST for Jane Austen fans!
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
echappen
Chicago, IL6 contributions
Jun 2023
As a foreigner, I don’t think I could’ve seen Hampshire and its Jane Austen sites any other way than through a tour like this. Most of the Austen sites are not touristy in the slightest, like the site of her childhood home (which no longer stands) and her father’s chapel in Steventon. So it was invaluable to have a guide who lives and works in the area (and knows how to drive on those narrow country roads!) to help us understand the significance of what we were looking at.
Phil was a wealth of information about all sorts of topics: the geology of this part of England, chapel “graffiti,” general British history and culture, things that Austen would have understood in her time. This really enriched the experience. Phil recommended reading the book, “Jane Austen: A Life” by Claire Tomalin before going on the tour, and I would also recommend doing so, for the same purpose.
This was the first tour we did after arriving in England. Thank you, Phil, for the wonderful introduction to the country!
Phil was a wealth of information about all sorts of topics: the geology of this part of England, chapel “graffiti,” general British history and culture, things that Austen would have understood in her time. This really enriched the experience. Phil recommended reading the book, “Jane Austen: A Life” by Claire Tomalin before going on the tour, and I would also recommend doing so, for the same purpose.
This was the first tour we did after arriving in England. Thank you, Phil, for the wonderful introduction to the country!
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I hope the tour helped you understand the rest of your adventures in the UK. The pre-reading certainly helps as the tour makes the book come alive.
Written 8 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
joan w
Mountain View, CA7 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
This was my second time taking this personal tour of Jane Austen's birthplace - the first was 10 years ago - and I recommend taking it a second time (as well as a first). We did the full-day tour; new locations were added, and additional research by Phil made it even more updated and in-depth. The tour ended at Jane Austen's cottage in Chawton, with a trip to the larger Chawton House nearby.
Always personable, knowledgeable, and friendly, Phil's insights into Regency (and earlier) Hampshire county were as educational as they were entertaining. You don't have to be a Jane Austen expert to enjoy the history and gossip surrounding the life she lived in this lovely area of England.
Always personable, knowledgeable, and friendly, Phil's insights into Regency (and earlier) Hampshire county were as educational as they were entertaining. You don't have to be a Jane Austen expert to enjoy the history and gossip surrounding the life she lived in this lovely area of England.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for the return visit, good company as ever and good conversation!
Written 8 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jon B
1 contribution
Mar 2023
The Jane Austen tour was a "special" birthday present for my wife. We went with my two daughters. Absolutely brilliant. Phil is not only extremely knowledgeable but also really excellent company. Jane Austen is my wife's favourite author and it was wonderful seeing and learning about the places where she spent the early years of her life. I also never realised Hampshire is such a beautiful county.
Written 30 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review, and I am glad to have shown off a bit of Hampshire to you all.
Written 8 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deb C
6 contributions
Dec 2022
Wish there was an extra Gold Star to give to this tour. We cannot recommend it highly enough! Not only did Phil bring Jane Austen to life for us, he gave us a day immersed in the English countryside past and present! Travelling around Hampshire with Phil was like visiting with an old friend. Within minutes we were laughing and learning, sharing stories, and exploring any question that came to mind. Cap it off with the best meal of our entire week at a local Free House and I cannot wait to join Phil again.
Written 6 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the gold star! Sadly the Fur & Feathers has now ceased trading which is a big loss as the food was wonderful. They deserved gold stars too.
Written 8 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LittleyVagabond
Philadelphia, PA6 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
We had an absolute delight spending the day with Phil, and learning not only all about Jane Austen but also about the detailed structure of English villages and their complex social history. It was such a fun day, and Phil was both informative and led conversations with ease. For the rest of our trip in Great Britain we were able to reference a lot of what he discussed with us, and he gave some great details for other tours we would be doing later on.
This tour would be interesting to everyone, even those that are not huge Jane Austen fans. Driving around these small and hidden country roads would not be easy as a tourist; not to mention, one wouldn't even know what to look for! However, with a regional expert like Phil it's something anyone can experience. We highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in Jane Austen and historical aspects to English villages
This tour would be interesting to everyone, even those that are not huge Jane Austen fans. Driving around these small and hidden country roads would not be easy as a tourist; not to mention, one wouldn't even know what to look for! However, with a regional expert like Phil it's something anyone can experience. We highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in Jane Austen and historical aspects to English villages
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One of the joys of that day was the quick wit and repartee that took place between you, which made for a day of smiles and giggles. I am so pleased to hear that I could help put the rest of your tour in context, and I hope you had a wonderful time in Scotland.
Written 31 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jack C
3 contributions
Sep 2022
This was an exceptional experience. Phil is an incredibly intelligent, entertaining, and friendly person, and he knows just about anything an avid Austen fan could want to know. His tour exceeds expectations in terms of both the amount of places visited and information learned about the life of one of the world's most beloved novelist.
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the kind review, and using the phrase, "exceptional experience". There is no other organization that offers anything similar!
Written 20 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Annie
Newnan, GA1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Friends
Phil did an amazing job bringing Jane Austen to life. My mother, sister, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the people who were closest to her, the houses and churches where she spent her time, and history of the region and its peoples. Phil treated us like old friends and we felt comfortable from the start. His knowledge of the area, both current and historical, educated and entertained us. Lunch at the Fir and Feathers was delicious and he even made sure we got on the right train at the end of our tour. We highly recommend this tour to all ladies who love Jane and to any single men in possession of a good fortune and in want of an accomplished wife.
Written 29 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We all had so much fun that day! The conversations were good as was the company, there was much laughter, always a good indicator of enjoyment. Here I can offer a new compound word, "edutainment", which is what I hope to achieve on the tour. Lunch is always an important part of the day and I will pass your kind comments on to the Fur & Feathers.
Written 20 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dacanepa
Colorado7 contributions
Aug 2022
Book this tour! Phil was the perfect guide/host/driver on this particular Jane Austen tour out of London. "Professor" Phil is super knowledgeable and loves conversing and sharing the ideas, connections, assumptions and facts around the life of Jane Austen. The tour took us into the beautiful Hampshire countryside to enjoy quaint roadways, parks and villages. Seeing Chawton was on our TO DO LIST and it made us want start rereading a Jane Austen classic.
Written 24 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Jane Austen tour is a great antidote to days in London. It's a relaxing driven tour of the Hampshire countryside exploring so much in such a short time, quaint roadways and all. We go off the beaten track and explore villages and especially churches, little pockets of history often pre- dating 1066 and all with links to Jane Austen.
Written 20 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jewelskyte
1 contribution
Sep 2022
Phil Howe is a gem - a Renaissance man with extensive knowledge of not just Jane Austen's life and works, but of her personality, her relationships, and the land on which she walked and grew up with her family and friends. His tour is personal, even simple at times, but informed by deep knowledge and appreciation, and plenty of witticism and laughs. When we arrived at Steventon, Jane's childhood home, he knew the church warden and we were afforded a truly unique opportunity - to ring the church bells in honor of Queen Elizabeth's passing the day before, during the official hour in which church bells rang across the United Kingdom. We had a wonderful tour with a person we now call a friend. If you want to get to know and understand Jane, take a tour with Phil Howe.
It was a true pleasure to meet you and we hope our paths cross again.
It was a true pleasure to meet you and we hope our paths cross again.
Written 14 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That day was really very special. The massive privilege of being able to ring the double muffled bell to acknowledge the death of a British monarch is the most rare and special experience. It is the only time church bells are double muffled, (a single leather covering of the clapper is used for ordinary funerals, doubled for a monarch). This was a once in a lifetime experience and one which will never ever be forgotten. I am so pleased that I could enable you both to ring the bell, and hope you treasure the memory forever. I certainly will and I know all three of us were all very moved to honour the death of Queen Elizabeth the Second in this way. A magical experience indeed.
Written 20 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Traveling Al
Citrus Heights, CA28 contributions
Is a gratuity expected at the end of the tour
Phil Howe
Basingstoke, UK23 contributions
No. gratuities are entirely at your discretion.
Hi, I would like to know if I could book the Jane Austen Hidden Britain tour for two adults. Either 12th June or 13 June 2018. Thanks you. Also, are there half day tours? - as we could do half a tour on afternoon of 11 June 2018. Many thanks in advance.
David56Chicago
Monee, IL209 contributions
1/2 day is not enough. We just took a full day tour without museum because it is closed in January. We went to that separately oblast day of Dec. Phil does a great job of showing you Jane Austin’s English countryside and has a wealth of knowledge which you will benefit from particularly if you read “ Jane Austin ,a life by Clare Thompilson” which Phil will recommend . Full disclosure I am not particularly a Jane Austen fan but my wife is an avid fan and I loved the tour. Phil can even adjust the tour based upon your likings which he did for us. I took over 250 pics in this one day. Go for full day. You will be glad for it. We were.
Barbara C
Wethersfield, CT80 contributions
Hello, I was wondering if it is possible to see both the Jane Austin tour and the Downton Abby tour in the same day? Thanks, Barbara
Phil Howe
Basingstoke, UK23 contributions
Hi Barbara
The Jane Austen tour is more viable as Highclere is closed to the public a great deal of the year.
abby p
Sydney, Australia3 contributions
My friend and I would like to take the Jane Austin tour on Friday the 10th april
with Phil.
Please provide details re the tour and the costs involved.
Thaversie.
Phil Howe
Basingstoke, UK23 contributions
Thanks for the e-mail, but I regret I am fully booked! I am free on the 8th April, if this helps?
abby p
Sydney, Australia3 contributions
Hi
I am interested for the time period from the 10th or 11th of April for 2 people.
Is it possible to combine it with a trip to Oxford perhaps an overnight stay.
Thank you
Abby Pillay
Phil Howe
Basingstoke, UK23 contributions
I regret I am fully booked but we have agreed the 13th I think, Abby!