It took no Persuasion for the Overton Harriers Running Club to agree to swallow Pride and Prejudice and run a newly launched circular 9-mile trail from Overton to Steventon in the footsteps of Jane Austen.
Twenty-eight runners and 2 dogs (Anton du Bark and Axel) set off on a chilly morning, first having posed for a photograph outside St Mary’s Church, Overton, modelling some Regency headwear. They were joined for the photograph by Overton’s Sharon Wheeler, in full Regency costume.
The 9-mile trail takes in beautiful North Hampshire countryside as it leaves Overton and passes through Ashe, Deane and Steventon (Jane Austen’s birthplace) and returns to Overton using waymarked country lanes and paths. Taking in landscapes and personal connections en route that influenced Jane Austen’s early years.
This trail is one of 2 newly launched walking trails, the other walking trail being a 2.5-mile self-guided trail round Overton village, and a 12-mile cycling trail created by the Overton Jane Austen Trails Group, to celebrate 2025 being the 250th year of Jane Austen’s birth. The aims of this initiative are to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, strengthen pride in local history and literary heritage and attract visitors to Overton.
They are an example of a truly local community-driven project, run by volunteers, supported by the community, overseen by Overton Parish Council and funded from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Pride in Place Fund via UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The trails have been designed to celebrate Jane Austen’s legacy and have been endorsed by the Jane Austen Society UK.
Mike Bushell, Overton resident and well-known BBC presenter, endorsed the Trails calling them “A truly magical historical experience which combines beautiful natural images and the power of stepping back in time. An English wonder”.
All 3 trails start from the centre of Overton village at the Jane Austen Trails Information Board and have been designed for anyone to participate in and to self-guide themselves. They provide an incentive for visitors and locals to actively explore Overton and the surrounding villages and learn more about local heritage and connections to Jane Austen. No prior knowledge of Jane Austen or her novels is required.
Jane Austen was born at Steventon and spent the first 25 years of her life in North East Hampshire. Shopping in Overton and living and socialising in Ashe, Deane, and Steventon. The trails bring to light the Austen family’s ties to the North East Hampshire area. Jane’s brother, James, was curate at St. Mary’s Church in Overton, where his residence, Court House, still stands, overlooking the village. Overton itself was a bustling village during Jane’s time, known for its sheep fair, merchants, post office and the mail coaches that carried Jane’s letters from Steventon, all of which were postmarked Overton.The Overton Harriers are a thriving friendly and inclusive running Club founded 50 years ago with an active social scene. New members regardless of running ability are welcomed. On return from their exhilarating 9-mile run both runners and dogs showed considerable Sense and Sensibility respectively by gratefully consuming hot drinks, home-made cake and dog treats.
