Cheryl Butler Talk - Jane Austen & Gothic Tourism

As a contributing editor for the Southampton Record Series Dr Cheryl Butler's twin passion for history and drama have driven her work as a playwright novelist and lecturer. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a keen supporter of several heritage organisations.

In preparations for the Jane Austen 250 programme in 2025 this talk will reflect on the inspiration for Austen’s first novel ‘Northanger Abbey’ inspired by the authors love for Gothic fiction and the publics interest in visiting medieval ruins in the hope of seeing ghostly monks and other apparitions. One of the most popular sites was Hampshire’s Netley Abbey which attracted writers poets artists and tourists and as one novelist commented “that the abbey conceals a mystery of a horrible nature I have no doubt”.

Doors open: 7pm

Talk: 7.30-8.30pm

Tickets: £11

Host or Publisher Hampshire History Trust