The Vyne is one of my favorite "JA places"- although, really the connection to her directly is a bit tenuous. Her brother James did duty as the parson for Sherbourne, and often dined with William Chute (although, interestingly, it doesn't seem that Jame's wife was often invited!) Chute was the Austens' local member of parliament, and the male Austens do seem to have been fairly active in their support of him, particularly at election time. The Austens had a phrase, "A Chute and A Heathcote for ever!", which apparently had its origins in an electioneering slogan. This, I think, is the source of JA's rather disparaging remark about him- to the effect of "Chute came today. I wonder what he wants this time?" Chute was also nuts about hunting, and James often went out with him. It is interesting to speculate about whether James ever met Chute's other hunting companion- the Prince of Wales, but as far as I know, there is no record of him actually accomplishing this.

The Vyne staff will tell you that JA visited and attended balls there. I cannot find any actual real substantiation for this fact whatsoever, but I think it's a good possibility. they'll also tell you about Chute's adopted daughter, Caroline, who cried on leaving her family, and had a terribly lonely time in her new home, being terrified by the tapestries (well, they are enormous!), and sleeping in her adoptive mother's unheated bedroom because she was so homesick. Although she sounds very Fannyish, perhaps it should be remembered that she was only about three at the time.

It's also a lovely house- much more 'home' than 'stately', and a wonderful mishmash of styles. There are TWO long galleries, a beautiful tudor chapel which is entered via a gothick ante-chapel designed by Horace Walpole (and which is just about as tacky as the eighteenth century gets), an Adamesque staircase (which looks like Wedgewood china on steriods but is actually very pretty for all that), a lovely seventeenth century summerhouse, etc. etc. If it's quiet and the guide is willing, then visitors should push to know about the original tudor house (which was much, much bigger than the present one) and the original lake, which has been reduced in size also.

I have a copy of the Willoughby Chawton book- or rather booklet, as it's only about 40 pages. Do you have a copy, Spencer? Since the new book is £10.00, I presume that it is much more substantial.

The Vyne is owned by the National trust, and reopened a few years ago after a multi-million pound refurbishment. If you are in Hampshire, chasing up JA, then it's a must-see.

http://www.hants.gov.uk/localpages/north_east/basingstoke/sherborne/
This is a good link about the village itself

http://www.badgers-heritage.co.uk/hants22.html#Sherborne%20St.%20John

Shows some pen and ink drawings of the village, church and The Vyne