Easter Fun April 17, 2009

An Easter egg trail in the Wilderness is just one of the fun activities on offer at Chawton House Library’s Open Day on Thursday 16 April.

The Elizabethan manor house, surrounded by acres of rolling parkland, will be open to the public from 10am-4.30pm. As well as getting a chance to see inside the former home of Jane Austen’s brother, visitors can learn the skill of long-lining with Shire horses and watch a farrier at work.

There will be long-lining competitions, in which visitors can tackle an obstacle course with the horses, and a photographer will be on hand for those who would like their picture taken with one of the Chawton Shires.

After hunting for Easter eggs outside, children can take part in workshops to learn how letters were written and sealed with wax in Jane Austen’s day. There will also be children’s trails in the house.

Rural life as it was in the eighteenth century will be brought vividly to life by a visit to the newly-restored Shepherd’s Hut: a delightfully quirky wooden shelter on wheels that was used by shepherds at lambing time. Newborn lambs are expected in the Chawton fields at Easter, and all being well there will be some to see outside the Shepherd’s Hut.

On the lawns of Chawton House the Hampshire Regency Dancers will be putting on displays throughout the day. Light lunches, tea/coffee and cakes will be available in the Old Kitchen.

For children under 14, admission is free. Entrance for adults is £6. For more information contact Sarah Cross on 01420 541010 or email: sarah.cross@chawton.net

Official Website: http://www.chawton.org/news/index.html