Rent Out The London Home Of Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother

A country girl at heart, and a private one at that, there are few spots in London where we know for certain that Jane Austen visited. There’s the original Twining’s Tea Shop on The Strand (where she complained that the price of tea had grown too high), the Prince Regent’s library at Carlton House, John Murray’s publishing house at 50 Albemarle Street, and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. But the one place she’d always visit in the capital? The home of her favourite brother, Henry Austen.

Who Was Henry Austen?

With six brothers and just one sister, Jane Austen‘s childhood sounds rowdier and more boisterous than most. But when her beloved Cassandra wasn’t around for company, Jane had much love to spare for her older brother Henry Austen too. A British militia officer, clergyman and banker, Henry gave her much support throughout her career in the proof-reading, editing and publishing of her work.

Born in 1771, four years before Jane, Henry spent much of his childhood at the family home of his cousins, Eliza and James Hancock. Here they would play and put on performances under the supervision of Austen’s aunt, Philadelphia Austen Hancock. But as they grew up, it seemed love (of the romantic cousin kind we now squirm at in Mansfield Park) began to flourish between Henry and his cousin Eliza. 

Eliza had originally been married to a French aristocrat by the name of Jean-François Capot de Feuillide – whom she wed in 1781, two years after her move to Paris. Unfortunately, it being the late 18th century and all – her husband was guillotined in 1794 during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Eliza, being smart enough to escape France before the worst of the revolution began, survived, but widowed with a fatherless child to care for. 

Despite Jane and Henry’s elder brother James being long enamoured with Eliza, it was Henry who claimed her hand in 1797. Though Eliza was 10 years his senior, it’s said that the couple had a happy but childless marriage. Becoming partially financially responsible for his family upon the death of his father in 1805, Henry – along with his other brothers – gave Jane, their mother and sister Cassandra a small monthly stipend. Though Eliza had once been wealthy, all the money she had was trapped in France. The pair returned there to reclaim her assets during the Treaty of Amiens, but the attempt proved unsuccessful and they were forced to flee without the much needed cash. 

Eliza eventually died of an unknown illness in 1813 and Henry went bankrupt three years later, the money troubles forcing him to cut-off the support of his family. Eliza was much beloved by Jane throughout her life, with the novelist coming to visit the couple in London often and sitting by her sister-in-law on her deathbed. It’s even said that Eliza inspired multiple characters in Jane’s stories, including Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park, as well as the women in Jane’s juvenile works, Love & Friendship and Lady Susan.  

Unfortunately for Henry, his beloved sister Jane would die just four years after his wife in 1817. And though Jane never got to meet her, Henry eventually remarried his second wife, Eleanor Jackson in 1820.

Inside Henry Austen’s Home

Henry Austen and his wife Eliza lived at 24 Upper Berkeley Street in Marylebone from 1801 to 1804, the plaque out front commemorating its connection to the Austen family. A familiar address for fans of Sense & Sensibility, it’s said that Jane’s visits to the street inspired the novel’s setting. For it is that Elinor and Marianne Dashwood lodge in London with their friend Mrs Jennings. 

Today, the 3,000 sqft Georgian townhouse has been transformed into a short-let residence – with guests able to stay from one week up to six months (or more if they ask nicely). Restored by Russell Sage Studio, the interiors of this five-floor home draw inspiration from the Austen family and its Regency heritage – think antique furnishings, rich fabrics and curated artworks throughout. Rich in period character the home may be, residents are also granted all the luxuries of modern living including wifi, a smart TV, air-con and a host of hotel level amenities, including daily housekeeping and personalised service, plus private chefs who can be booked on request.

Beyond the six individually designed bedroom suites (designed to sleep up to 12), bar and terrace, the reception rooms are all named for characters and objects connected to the home: from Jane’s Reading Room and Henry’s Drawing Room to the Carriage Snug and Monsieur Halavant’s Pantry (AKA the kitchen and 14-seater dining room). We’re ardently in love. 

Available to rent for £28,000 per week. Find out more at sothebysrealty.co.uk